There was also Zheng Yi Sao, a chinese woman who became a pirate who was so unstoppable that she even managed to negotiate her retirement with the Chinese government.
Comment on What characterizes feminine strength?
dragontamer@lemmy.world 7 months ago
Though there aren’t many female heroes in history, the few that existed made huge marks.
St. Olga of Kyiv famously slaughtered (!!!) her enemies (the Drevlians) to protect Kyiv and avenge her husband. She then converted to Catholicism and spread the message to the Slavs. And her lineage then founded Moscow. She’s considered the reason why Catholicism spread to the East, despite a patriarchy at her time.
But perhaps bloody stories of revenge and the spreading of the good word (a trope of the Middle Ages I know, but she’s known for it), is a bit “Just a man with different bits”. Still, she was smart, she was cunning, she was ruthless, she conquered, she ruled.
Perhaps a more traditional “Feminine Strength” is St. Joan of Arc, who raised an army and marched with them, though she never really won battle accolades or ruthless terror like St. Olga. St. Joan of Arc comes from humble beginnings and rises to become a leader of a movement in the 100 years war. Despite being tried for being a witch, she never gave up on her values and is widely recognized as a key figure in her time.
I think Joan of Arc is closer to what the English-speaking world would consider feminine strength. St. Joan of Arc never betrayed anyone, and largely served as an inspiring figure. (As opposed to the cunning St. Olga who has multiple atrocities in her name).
BugleFingers@lemmy.world 6 months ago
kakes@sh.itjust.works 7 months ago
Not in recorded history, anyway.
FuglyDuck@lemmy.world 7 months ago
Katherine Johnson is a personal hero of mine. there’s a lot of women who deserve way more credit than they get.