Women Who Dared

Linda Skeers is the author of several critically acclaimed children's books. She also teaches picture book writing workshops, including sessions on writing humor for kids. She lives in Iowa. Visit her at www.lindaskeers.com.

DAREDEVILS
Anna Olga Albertina Brown (1858–1919(?)) Germany—Super Strength
Annie Edson Taylor (1838–1921) United States—Plunging into Peril
Bessie Coleman (1892(?)–1926) United States—Ace Aviator
Elinor Smith (1911–2010) United States—Fearless Flyer
Florence Chadwick (1918–1995) United States—Sensational Swimmer
Georgia "Tiny" Broadwick (1893–1978) United States—Petite Parachutist
Helen Gibson (1892–1977) United States—Stupendous Stuntwoman
Lillian Boyer (1901–1989) United States—Wing-Walking Wonder
Lillian Leitzel (1892–1931) Germany—Awesome Acrobat
Mary Lillian Ellison (1923–2007) United States—"Fabulous Moolah"
May Wirth (1894–1978) Australia—Outrageous Trick Rider
Mildred Burke (1915–1989) United States—"Queen of the Ring"
Shirley Muldowney (1940–) United Sates—Rad Racer
Sophie Blanchard (1778–1819) France—Brave Balloonist
Valentina Tereshkova (1937–) Russia—Cool Cosmonaut

ADVENTURERS
Ada Blackjack (1898–1983) United States—Awesome Arctic Survivor
Barbara Hillary (1931–) United States—North and South Pole Sensation
Beatrice Ayettey (1955–) Ghana—Courageous Captain
Emma "Grandma" Gatewood (1887–1973) United States—Hiker with Heart
Dr. Eugenie Clark (1922–2015) United States—"Shark Lady"
Fanny Bullock Workman (1859–1925) United States—Courageous Climber
Fermina Sarras (1840–1915) Nicaragua—Marvelous Miner
Ida Lewis (1842–1911) United States—Lighthouse Keeper and Life Saver
Jeanne Baret (1740–1807) France—Super Sailor
Joan Bamford Fletcher (1918–1979) Canada—Remarkable Rescuer
Junko Tabei (1939–2016) Japan—Mountaineering Marvel
Libby Riddles (1956–) United States—Masterful Musher
Lillian Riggs (1888–1977) United States—Remarkable Rancher
Margaret Bourke-White (1906–1971) United States—Fearless Photographer
Mary Anning (1799–1847) England—Fossil Finder and Dinosaur Discoverer
Mina Hubbard (1870–1956) Canada—Exciting Explorer
Rosaly Lopes (1957–) Brazil—Daring Discoverer
Sylvia Earle (1935–) United States—Underwater Wanderer
Ynes Mexia (1870–1938) United States—Brave Botanist

REBELS
Alia Muhammad Baker (1953–) Iraq—Lionhearted Librarian
Annette Kellerman (1887–1975) Australia—"Mermaid Queen"
Annie "Londonderry" Cohen Kopchovsky (1870–1947) Latvia—Bodacious Bicyclist
Belle Boyd (1844–1900) United States—Sly Spy
Bessie Stringfield (1911–1993) Jamaica—Amazing Motorcyclist
Ella Hattan (1859–1907(?)) United States—"Queen of the Sword"
Irena Sendler (1910–2008) Poland—Heroine of the Holocaust
Johanna July (1857(?)–1946(?)) Mexico—"Horse Whisperer"
Kate Warne (1833–1868) United States—Daring Detective
Keiko Fukuda (1913–2013) Japan—Amazing Martial Artist
Lyda Conley (1869–1946) United States—Proud Protector
Margaret "Molly" Tobin Brown (1867–1931) United States—Absolutely "Unsinkable"
Mary Edwards Walker (1832–1919) United States—Medal of Honor Winner
Mary Fields (1832–1914) United States—"Stagecoach Mary"
Minnie Spotted Wolf (1923–1988) United States—Marvelous Marine
Rose Fortune (1774–1864) United States—Courageous Cop
Susan La Flesche Picotte (1865–1915) United States—Heroic Healer
Sybil Ludington (1761–1839) United States—Heroic Horsewoman