Women's History

The famous scientist is remembered for her discoveries and pioneering research on radioactivity.

Maria Sibylla Merian was born in Frankfurt in 1647 and raised in a family of artists.

Italian Renaissance painter Sofonisba Anguissola (1532-1625) was the first female artist to achieve international recognition.

Aletta Jacobs was one of the women involved in fighting for suffrage who had a profound impact on Dutch society.

Madame de Staël was a politically engaged woman of letters, who survived the French Revolution and was exiled more than once by Napoleon.

Amalia Euphrosyne Lindegren was one of Sweden’s most popular 19th century artists and painters.

Born Elisa Leonida in 1887, this pioneer had engineering in her blood.

One of Bulgaria’s most cherished poets during her lifetime, today Dora Gabe is honoured both in her home country and across Europe.

Explore a gallery celebrating artworks by a selection of significant female artists from across Europe and throughout history

Women played a key part in World War I, nursing on the front line, caring for their communities and taking over jobs at home formerly done by men.

Maria Sibylla Merian (1647–1717) was a naturalist and scientific illustrator, and one of the first naturalists to observe insects directly.

The long and hard battle for social reform and a voice for women in politics.

Women's work has long been overlooked, raising questions of equality, rights and work-life balance.

Discover the changing silhouettes of women's fashion in the 20th century.

Celebrating women and the power of female solidarity.

Women have worn corsets for centuries as an integral part of their wardrobes but during the 20th century, they became less fashionable and popular.

Meet the women who taught Europe to cook.

Challenging the stereotypes of Hollywood

How many statues in your hometown represent women?

How Charles stole Lizzie’s idea and made his fortune

A life devoted to art

Bridal dresses in traditional Greek culture are colourful, rich and varied.

Discover the history of the Singer company and their world-changing sewing machines.

The Fàbrica Gròber textile factory is a landmark of Girona history even today, 40 years after its closure.

Long before the home office, working at home was already commonplace for one group within society: women.

After the liberation of The Netherlands in May 1945, many Dutch women made special commemorative skirts.

Did you know that Mother’s Day has its roots in ancient traditions?

Misia Sert was one of the most intriguing and influential women in Belle Époque Paris.

Josephine Baker was a polarising force throughout her life as a performer and activist.

A Serbian writer and traveller who led a remarkable life.

From Hollywood glamour to the Siberian gulag.

Christina of Sweden was one of the most learned women and benefactors in Rome.

Writer, republican, literary theoretician and philosopher.

Explore the life and legacy of Marie-Jeanette de Lange on female fashion and society.

Elsa Schiaparelli is one of the most renowned personalities in fashion history.

Artworks by five significant female artists across Europe and throughout history.

It is hard to imagine that a little over a century ago, women were discouraged from riding their bicycles.

Read about female characters in European literature who broke the mould.

The Women's Peace Party was founded in 1915 as a reaction to the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914.

As long as there have been babies, which is quite a long time, there’s been breastfeeding.

Pioneering Art Nouveau collector

How pioneering women changed the perceived roles and status of female artists in the 19th century.

How Art Nouveau reflects women’s changing roles and status in the late 19th century.

Colour your way through women in history with our beautiful colouring book.

Women’s History Month on Europeana