Warrior Women

Born to French peasant farmers during the Hundred Years War, Joan was no stranger to bloodshed. At age 13, Joan started receiving visions from God calling her to fight for France and restore the dauphin to the throne.

Learning sea-faring from her chieftain father, Grace O’Malley became one of the most revered sea captains in 16th century Ireland. A rival of Queen Elizabeth, she was dubbed “Commander of Thieves and Murderers at Sea” by her enemies, the English.

Under threat from Mexico, Spain, and the United States, Lozen fought to protect the Apache Nation with Geronimo and her older brother Victorio. It is said that Lozen, a revered medicine woman, was able to predict the movements of the enemy, making her indispensable on the battlefield.

The legend of Mulan, a young woman who disguised herself as a man to join the army, is an important cultural myth in China. The spirit of Mulan is embodied in the real-life Wang Cong’er, an 18th century street performer turned revolutionary and Kung Fu master.

Boudica became queen of the Iceni in Roman-occupied Britain when her clan-leader husband died in 60 AD. Degraded by the Roman invaders who didn’t recognize female rulers, Boudica mustered the support of her neighboring Celts and led a brutal campaign against all things Roman.