Women in History

I think it can depend on the culture. Some cultures see women as nothing more than the weaker half of humanity and consequently from Eve through to the wives of a number of former Balkan communist leaders they are seen as an insidious evil.

The paradox of women as leaders is the fact that once in power they are often as ruthless and violent as men. They usually do not live up to the stereotype associated with their gender.

Depending on your culture they could be any of the above options. In some cultures they are whores, in others they play their role as loving and dutiful relatives and in yet others as a heroic mother figure doing all in their power for their child (nation).

Curiously I just posted on reviewing the front page of AE to include some women.

I think that history remember women when they have been strongly associated to power. In this sense, queens and other rulers are the most famous ones, at least by number: Hatshepshut, Cleopatra, Isabella of Castile, Elizabeth I, Catherine the Great, Marie-Therese of Austria are all remembered as equals to their contemporaneous rulers of male gender.

Next surely are the many regents that have supplied their incapable husbands or too young sons. Next are the consort queens and other women behind the throne, specially when they showed some outstanding activity of any kind.

Then there are a few other cathegories: heroines as Joan d'Arc are not very frequent but when they exist they are also remembered as much or more as their male counterparts. But there are many "cultural" women, since Madam Curie to Emily Bronte, though most are relatively modern.

Originally posted by Mila Komnenos, I have a sort of infatuation with Elizabeth I as well. Although, I don't believe for a moment that she remained a virgin. I imagine she kept a lover, possibly female given her public declarations of being a virgin. [

I too went through a period that I could not read enough about her.  It has been suggested by more than one person that Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester was her lover for years. I think tha title "Virgin Queen" refers more to her unmarried state rather than her physical one. As at that time all  first time brides where assumed to be virgins and proof was often faked so most where regardless of the facts of the situation.

 

Maju's point that history remembers those close to power are remembered is valid. Those in power are close to the only ones remembered in the past long gone. Culture plays a great role as well. I think if culture (in the past) had promoted women in power the way it did men.the roles we are discussing would be reversed. The insuremountable obsticles that one must overcome to gain power plus break cultural norms would be more than most people male or female could achive. 

 

I voted Policitian, etc...especially Kim Cambell, Canada's  first female Prime Minister

The women who are remembered are those who, for whatever reason, had the power to make men fall at their feet. They are remembered because for many cultures throughout the world women are the lesser sex. We have constantly been repressed and put down by men. The women History remembers are the ones that looked men in the eye, in whatever way, and said we are not weak.