Women of History

In the midst of great hardship, women from both the North and South were inspired to join the war effort, taking on surprising new roles either in factories or on the frontline.

It wasn't until 1993 that American women were officially allowed to fly combat aircraft. Learn about the struggles, the accomplishments, and contributions of women pilots of the past, present, and future.

Joan of Arc: A teenage girl so dangerous, she had to be burned at the stake. Discover how an illiterate peasant girl took command of an army and placed a king on the throne of France.

Mary Todd Lincoln and Varina Davis were two women from rival governments, but they led parallel lives, struggling against bitter criticism, personal tragedies, and an agonizing war that shaped their public identities.

Experts, historians, authors, and behavorial psychologists offer an in-depth examination of the facts and the mysteries surrounding the court room trials of suspected witches in Salem Village, Massachusetts in 1692.

Roman administrators try to control the Iceni by appropriating their land and disarming the tribe, but Queen Boudicca raises a mighty army and takes the fight to the Romans.

For generations, women the world over have patterned their lives after heroines of the Hebrew Bible, looking to them for inspiration and examples of virtue. But who are the flesh-and-blood women behind the sacred tales?

She ruled over men and led one of the world's greatest civilizations. So why was Cleopatra the last of the Egyptian pharaohs? Josh Bernstein joins Zahi Hawass on a hunt for clues to learn more about Cleopatra.

Discover how a brutal twist of fate and her own generosity of spirit cost an ordinary small-town girl her life in the crossfire of one of America's most cataclysmic events.

The first activist First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt had her own staff, held her own press conferences, and championed her own causes. Explore her efforts to achieve a balance between her public image and her private life.

One of the most influential leaders of her tribe, Native American princess Pocahontas possessed a vision of peaceful cooperation with the European settlers that was far ahead of its time.

Hatshepsut took the title of Pharaoh when acting as her stepson's regent. Statues of her as a bearded king and her unique tomb reveal vast power, but rivals vowed to erase her from history.

In Greek Mythology, Medusa's look turned every living thing to stone. Find out this evil Gorgon's real-world connection to human corpses, and learn what clues the night sky holds about the origins of her tale.

Once upon a time that cackling crone on a broomstick was considered a healing woman who harnessed nature's secrets for humanity's good. What happened in the Middle Ages to transform her into a Christian symbol of evil?

For over half a century, Susan B. Anthony endured threats and ridicule in her tireless and pioneering quest for civil rights and voting reform.

The figure of Joan of Arc presents a mass of contradictions. Whether she was a national hero, an instrument of God, or a troubled but forceful young woman, the Maid of Orleans ignited the spirit of an entire people.

Learn about the remarkable life of the first woman since Abigail Adams to be wife to one U.S. president and mother to another.

Take a peek at this portrait of the colorful and controversial former First Lady of the Philippines, who went on buying sprees that included New York City skyscrapers and 3,000 pairs of shoes.

The speculation surrounding Eva Braun has persisted for decades. Was she Adolf Hitler's lover or just a friend? Was she the mind behind the scenes of the Third Reich or simply a tool used by Hitler to increase his power?

Explore the life and career of the opera star known for her glorious voice, dramatic gifts, stormy temperament, and romance with Greek tycoon Aristotle Onassis.

Discover how Mary Kay Ash turned a $5,000 investment into a multi-national company with over $2 billion in annual sales - and helped women on her sales force to realize their own dreams of success.

Explore the lifestyles and influence of female folklore legends and how their showmanship, thievery, and lascivious behavior helped to change the face of the frontier.

"Vikings" cast members Katheryn Winnick and Alyssa Sutherland join leading experts in an examination of the different roles women played within Norse society.

According to the Bible, the Queen of Sheba came to Solomon's Palace bearing fabulous gifts, including one of the world's most valued substances: frankincense. Was this Queen real? If so, who was she?

Explore the story of the beautiful queen who saved the Jews of Persia from death at the hands of her husband, King Ahasuerus, and analyze the historical validity of the Book of Esther.