Who Runs the World? Girls!
About the Author
Caitlin Doyle is a versatile writer, editor, creative writing teacher, and social activist with nearly two decades of experience. She has authored and edited numerous books for both adults and children, including titles such as Outrageously Adorable Dog Knits, Girls Can Do Anything (also known as We Can Do Anything), and Unicornucopia. Caitlin’s body of work spans a wide range of genres, from children’s picture books to adult reference materials, showcasing her diverse talents and commitment to inspiring readers of all ages.
P.S. Greatness knows no gender.
“I figure if a girl wants to be a legend, she should go ahead and be one.”
Calamity Jane 1890
"Story" time
What you will read about in the book: many inspiring biographies of women. While reading those incredible stories, you might think :”No way!” (in an admiring way of course). We have randomly selected one name from each section to highlight some fascinating facts and narratives. We can’t cover all of them because otherwise, this would be an exceptionally long article. So here are our handpicked stories of women who, in one way or another, changed the world. This does not imply that other women aren’t worthy of recognition — well, you know that already…
Arts and literature : Aphra Behn (1640-1689) A Female Paid Author
Lines from the book: “She was a paid author, very independent, and that made her very unusual.”
Often considered one of the first professional female writers in English literature, she broke through the gender barriers of her time to become a successful and influential literary figure.
Aphra Behn was a pioneering English playwright, poet, translator, and novelist.
Often considered one of the first professional female writers in English literature, she broke through the gender barriers of her time to become a successful and influential literary figure.
Behn is best known for her plays, which were performed during the Restoration period, and her novel Oroonoko (1688), which is often regarded as an early anti-slavery narrative. Her work was bold and innovative, addressing themes such as love, power, politics, and social issues, often with a sharp wit and a fearless approach to challenging societal norms.
Despite facing criticism and scandal for her audacity to write and live as a professional woman in a male-dominated society, Aphra Behn’s contributions to literature have earned her a lasting place in literary history. She is celebrated today as a trailblazer who paved the way for future generations of women writers.
Politics&World Building: Ching Shih (One Of World’s Most Successful Pirates) - All Aboard!
Ching Shih (1775–1844), also known as Zheng Yi Sao, was one of the most successful and feared pirate leaders in history. Originally a Cantonese prostitute, she became involved in piracy after marrying the notorious pirate Zheng Yi.
Following his death, she took control of his fleet, which eventually grew into one of the largest pirate fleets ever assembled, commanding over 300 ships and tens of thousands of pirates.
Ching Shih was known for her strict code of conduct and efficient leadership, which helped her maintain discipline and loyalty within her fleet. Her code included severe penalties for disobedience, theft, or assault on female captives. Under her command, the pirate fleet dominated the South China Sea in the early 19th century, challenging even the Chinese imperial navy, as well as the Portuguese and British forces.
In 1810, after years of successful piracy, Ching Shih negotiated a pardon with the Chinese government. She retired from piracy and lived the rest of her life peacefully, operating a gambling house. Her story remains legendary, as she is often considered one of the most powerful and effective pirate leaders of all time.
Science and innovation : Ada Lovelace (1815-1852)
World's first computer programmer.( Ok Python, How about that?!)
Ada Lovelace is often regarded as the world’s first computer programmer. She wrote an algorithm for Charles Babbage’s early mechanical general-purpose computer, the Analytical Engine.
This algorithm, designed to calculate Bernoulli numbers, is considered the first computer algorithm.Ada Lovelace is often regarded as the world’s first computer programmer. She wrote an algorithm for Charles Babbage’s early mechanical general-purpose computer, the Analytical Engine. This algorithm, designed to calculate Bernoulli numbers, is considered the first computer algorithm.
Ada Lovelace’s work was largely unrecognized during her lifetime, but she has since been celebrated for her foresight and contributions to the field of computer science. The programming language Ada, developed by the U.S. Department of Defense in the 1980s, was named in her honor.
Sports&Endurance: Jeanne Calment (1875-1997) The World's Oldest Person
Jeanne Calment (1875-1997) was a French woman renowned for her remarkable longevity. She holds the record for the longest confirmed human lifespan, having lived to the age of 122 years and 164 days. Here’s an overview of her life and legacy:
Early Life:Jeanne Calment was born on February 21, 1875, in Arles, France. She lived through significant historical events, including both World Wars and the advent of modern technology.
Personal Life:Jeanne Calment lived independently until her 110s, after which she moved into a nursing home. She was known for her sharp wit and engaging personality.
Her long life allowed her to experience the world’s significant changes, from horse-drawn carriages to space exploration.
Legacy: Jeanne Calment’s longevity has been the subject of various studies in the fields of gerontology and aging. Her life offers valuable insights into the factors that contribute to an exceptionally long life.
Her story has captured the public imagination and has been the subject of numerous articles, books, and documentaries.
(finish the sentence: age is nothing ….)
(TheLastBubblegum) Reflections on the Topic of Women’s Roles Through History:
Women’s roles: Influenced by stereotypes or not?
Historically, the traditional roles assigned to men and women were quite distinct: men were hunters, while women stayed at home to raise children, gather berries, prepare food, and ensure the fire didn’t go out. As society evolved and people moved into houses, the responsibilities remained similar, though more convenient—no more need to tend the fire or forage for berries.
While many women find joy in this tranquil lifestyle, which is genuinely wonderful without any sarcasm, the set of responsibilities it entailed was far from simple. These tasks required being well-organized, communicating politely with neighbors or people at the store (communication skills), managing time efficiently while cooking and preparing kids’ lunches and clothes for school, supporting family members emotionally when they faced troubles at home or school (acting as therapists), helping kids with homework (teaching skills), making the house a home (interior design skills), fixing a broken sink when the husband wasn’t around (plumbing skills), and even butchering chickens before cooking (the role of a butcher). If you’re a woman and you reflect on this, you’d think: “Wow! I am amazing!:
I know many of you might be thinking, well, we can just call a plumber now. Yes, of course, we can, but that doesn’t negate the fact that some women can handle it regardless. How so? They must have tried doing it at some point.
And that’s because women are amazing. That’s a truly impressive set of skills. However, unfortunately, these skills have started to be undervalued as misconceptions spread that housewives do nothing at home. This notion is only true in some cases. Yes, having a maid has been common for a long time, and if you had the chance to save yourself some time by choosing to enjoy a hot cup of coffee while reading your favorite book in the cozy chair instead of cleaning the bathroom, wouldn’t you take it? Most people would. And that’s perfectly normal and acceptable.
Now, while the skill set required to be a housewife is quite varied, there’s also the matter of personal interests or passions. Women, like everyone else, would love to follow their passions. Being good at something doesn’t necessarily mean it’s what we’re meant to do as a career, right?
But there’s more to consider. While the skills needed to succeed as a housewife are extensive, there have always been aspirations that seemed unattainable, such as being involved in politics, becoming a scientist, fixing cars, working as a firefighter, being a photographer, or pursuing any other driven interest. We all possess innate talents from birth—whether it’s dancing, working with our hands, or singing. We are drawn to certain activities by some higher force. Stereotypes are plentiful, and both women and men have to navigate them when they pursue careers that don’t align with society’s expectations.
This article is dedicated to women who decided to pursue their passions and ideas, surpassing the expectations of what women are traditionally thought to be capable of. We will see that not only can women make a significant difference and change the world for the better, but they are also receiving the recognition they deserve.
This book offers more than just the stories of the personas we’ve highlighted. It serves as inspiration for both women and men. Understanding ourselves and pursuing our individual paths can lead to a fulfilling and happy life. Just as a frog should not be expected to run in the fields like a horse. But rather to live by the ponds, jump and eat insects. Respectively women should embrace their unique qualities and talents. This book encourages women to follow their passions and use the gifts that nature has given to them.
“This is a Woman’s World“
from the song by American singer Cher