#matriarchymarch

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Today's #matriarchymarch is the amazing Hannah Szenes. Hannah was a special ops executive and paratrooper of Mandate Palestine for the British Army during WWII. The group was comprised of Jewish volunteers whose mission was to organize resistance against the German forces, and to aid in the rescue of allied personnel. Hannah was a Hungarian who immigrated to Nahalal and joined a paramilitary group that would later lay the foundation for the Israeli Defense Forces. In 1943 she enlisted in the British Army's Women's Auxiliary Air Force and began her training in Egypt. A year later she and her colleagues parachuted into Yugoslavia to join a partisan group (communist led resistance), to aid in the rescue of Hungarian Jews being deported to Auschwitz. However it was discovered that the Germans now occupied Hungary, and it was deemed too dangerous to continue with the rescue. Despite this, Hannah and her colleagues decided to continue on alone. They were arrested at the Hungarian border, and her British transmitter was discovered. She was taken to a prison, stripped and beaten for three days, loosing several teeth in the process. Her captors wanted the codes for the transmitter in order to find out who these three prisoners were and how they could find and trap others like them. Hannah was resolute, and so was sent to a prison in Budapest where she would continue to be interrogated and beaten for information. She only revealed her name. In October of 1944 she was charged and convicted of treason, and on November 7th she was executed by firing squad. In 1946 her diary was published in Hebrew. In 1950 her remains were brought to Israel and burried in Jerusalem. After the Cold War she was officially exonerated by the Hungarian military court. Hannah is considered to be a national heroine in Israel. #matriarch #matriarchy #herstory #history #shero #heroine #mightygirl #womenempoweringwomen #femalewarrior #servicebeforeself #jewishheroine #womenshistorymonth #womenshistory #solider #airman #wwiihero #portrait #womenpaintingwomen https://www.instagram.com/p/Buzu1KVlxeE/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ugohg0ekjl3l

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Up next for #matriarchymarch is the Chinese Warrior, Wang Cong'er. She started out as a preformer skilled in martial arts and acrobatics. Wang would eventually join and become a leader of the White Lotus Society (a rebel group opposing the Qing Dynasty). Her mastery of both the physical and mental demands of King Fu was extremely rare for a woman to take up at the time, and earned her a lot of respect among her peers. Her husband was a government official, and secret member of the WLS, who was killed alongside many other members after plans to launch an attack against the government were leaked by a spy. Wang was suicidal with grief, spent time in a monastary, and eventually returned to lead the WLS to both honor and avenge her husband. Wang was much loved among the WLS. She was a brilliant commander who excelled at guerilla warfare, and would lead her troops from the front. However, Wang wasn't infallible, and after being ambushed by the Qing army and suffering severe loss, she was faced with deciding between dishonor in capture, or death. It's said she chose death, jumping from a cliff with the WLS banner in her hands, followed by her companions. She was 22. Despite the failure of the rebellion, Wand is remembered for her heroics, resourcefulness, and courage. Her legend would live on and inspire future rebellions, eventually leading to the end of the empire. It's debated whether or not the story of Mulan was based in part on the life of Wang Cong'er. #marchofthematriarchs #matriarchy #badasswomen #femmefatal #femalewarrior #mightygirl #girlsempowergirls #herstory #womenofhistory #womenshistory #womenshistorymonth #portrait #rebel #womenpaintingwomen #womenempoweringwomen https://www.instagram.com/p/BukicZhFIcg/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=17te9iyzull5p

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Today's #matriarchymarch post is all about Murasaki Shinkibu, famous Heian era poet, novelist, and Imperial lady-in-waiting. She is best known as the author of The Tale of Genji, and her writings are considered an important reflection on Heian court society. Many if her works gave been interpreted through ukiyo-e woodblock illustrations. Murasaki most likely descended from the Fujiwara clan, an old lineage well respected for it's literary illuminaries despite having fallen from prominence to the lowest levels of noble houses. She showed an aptitude for Chinese writing, which was not taught to women at the time. Her invitation to court was likely due to her reputation as a writer, a career she continued while in service to Empress Soshi. #matriarch #matriarchy #genji #writer #womenwhowrite #inspiration #womenwhowritepoetry #poet #japan #japanese #muse #femaleauthor #thepenismightierthanthesword #herstory #history #womenofhistory #womenshistorymonth #womenshistory #mightygirl #ladyinwaiting #heian #portrait #sketchdaylies #womenpaintingwomen https://www.instagram.com/p/BvnXoMKFIR6/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ollzredydyzu

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I forgot to put list this post yesterday, so here it is. This #matriarchymarch is a childhood hero of mine: English fossil collector, dealer, and paleontologist, Mary Anning! She searched for fossils on the cliffsides of Blue Lias, particulary during winter when landslides exposed new finds. (She almost died during a rockslide, which killed her dog 😭). Her early discoveries included the first ichthyosaur skeleton correctly identified, the first two most complete plesiosaur skeletons, and the first pterosaur skeleton discovered outside of Germany. While she was well known in Western geological circles, and was often consulted about anatomy and fossils, she was denied entry into the Geographic Society of London, and often did not receive credit for her scientific contributions (perhaps the most important being evidence for extinction). In 2010 the Royal Society included Mary in a list of 10 British women who most influenced the history of science. One last note: it's said the tongue twister She Sells Seashells was inspired by Mary. #matriarch #matriarchy #fossilqueen #fossils #paleontology #paleontologist #dinosaurs #skeletons #herstory #history #shesellsseashells #mightygirl #collector #heroine #womenofscience #smartgirls #clevergirl #womenofhistory #womenshistory #womenshistorymonth #portrait #womenpaintingwomen https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvfe5AdFo-t/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=nlfbtjy3blbv

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Today's #matriarchymarch is German born naturalist and scientific illustrator, Maria Sibylla Merian. Maria received artistic tutalige from her stepfather. As a child she collected insects, and as a preteen had begun raising silk worms. At around 16 she published her first book of natural Illustrations, and two years later published one of two volumes of illustrations of caterpillars. She made her own engravings which documented the life cycle and plant hosts, and was the first to document metamorphosis. Maria traveled around tropical island colonies to collect, observe, and document a wide variety of plans, animals, and insect species at a time where only men did such things. She was a leading entomologist of her time, and is said to have greatly influenced other naturalist painters both of her time and after. David Attenborough has said she is among the most significant contributors to naturalism and entomology. Do read up on her, there's so many interesting things about Maria's life and contributions. And especially look up her artwork, you may be surprised to have seen it before without realizing who created it! #matriarchy #herstory #girlsandbugs #entomology #entomologist #naturalist #smartgirl #clevergirl #illustrator #femaleartists #history #womenofscience #womenofhistory #womenshistory #womenshistorymonth #girlsempowergirls #portrait #womenpaintingwomen #queenofcreepycrawlies #buglove https://www.instagram.com/p/BvlreV9F6CZ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=fef8rk4ujorm

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Today's #matriarchymarch is the legendary Empress Jingu, of Japan. Empress Jingu remains a bit of a controversial historical figure because there is little no hard proof of her life, and many if her stories cross into the superhuman. Jingu is supposedly a descendent of the legendary Korean Prince Amenohiboko, and was the consort of Emperor Chuai until his death. She then became Regent until their son inherited the throne, becoming Emperor Ojin. Before the Meiji period, Jingu was considered to get the 15th imperial ruler according to the traditional line of succession, but has since had her name removed, with her son taking her place. According to legend, she led an invasion of Korea, and was victorious after three years. However it's said she remained pregnant with her son this entire time, and did not give birth until she was back in Japan. Her son is sometimes deified as Hachiman, the god of war. Others say she was really the shaman queen Himiko. #matriarch #matriarchy #empress #empressjingu #onnabugeisha #femalesamurai #femalewarrior #mightygirl #femmefatal #femmemyth #herstory #history #womenshistory #womenshistorymonth #japaneselegend #portrait #womenpaintingwomen https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu_XFEwlSuF/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=qelcriyv0p02

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Today's #matriarchymarch is British explorer, writer, naturalust, and photographer, Isabella Bird. Isabella was frail and sickly from a young age, yet was encouraged to spend as much time outdoors as possible. She was educated by her parents in a wide and eclectic range of subject matter, was an avid reader, and was both quite intelligent and curious. She continued to suffer different ailments as she grew up, and was urged to take a sea voyage, for her health, by her doctors. So her father sent her to America a with her first cousins. Bird would use the letters if her experience to write and publish her first book, An Englishwoman in America. In her middle years she'd travel to Australia (which she disliked), Hawaii, and spent a great deal if time in Colorado, where she was said to have been courted by outlaw Jim Nugent (who was killed a year after she left the state). She returned home to England for a short while where she was pursued by a surgeon named John Bishop. But Isabella couldn't be bothered, and instead embarked to Japan, China, Korea, Vietnam, Malaya, and Singapore. After learning her sister had died, she returned home and married John. He would die a few years later, and Isabella would inherit from his passing. She began to study medicine with the intent of becoming a missionary and traveling to India. She was 60. The Maharajah of Kashmir gave her land, on which she founded a hospital in memory of her late husband. Isabella was well known for her exploits, and in 1890 became the first woman awarded an honorary fellowship with The Royal Scottish Geographical Society. Two years later she was the first woman to gain membership with the Royal Geographical Society, and in 1897 was an elected member of the Royal Photographic Society. Isabella died after a trip home from Morocco, she had been planning another trip to China. She was 74. Seriously check her out, there's way more interesting things about her, and not enough space to type it out here. #matriarch #worldtraveler #herstory #themostinterestingwomanintheworld #history #womenofhistory #womenshistorymonth #womenshistory #naturalist #portrait #womenpaintingwomen https://www.instagram.com/p/BvgmGMTFgza/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=jtqrpur4vxqg

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Today's #matriarchymarch is American actress, singer, trans activist, and former WWII GI, Christine Jorgensen. Shortly after graduating high school, Christine was drafted into the army during WWII at 19. After being discharged from the service she attended several schools, bouncing around between majors, and briefly working for a news outlet. During this time she began taking a form of estrogen, and researching gender reassignment surgery. She then set out to Sweden, which at the time was the only place in the world where doctors were preforming the surgery. On her way she met Dr. Christian Hamburger, and underwent hormone therapy with him (also choosing her new given name after him). After receiving permission from the Danish MJ, she underwent a series of transformative surgeries. While in recovery she wrote in a letter to a friend that her shy, miserable former self was gone, and she couldn't be happier. She became an instant celebrity on her return home in 1953, and wrote an article about her experience for The American Weekly. She used her newfound publicly to advocate for transgender people. Christine suffered from two failed engagements, the later of which was the result in a denial for a marriage license because her birth certificate still stated her gender as make. Worse still, her second fiance list his job once it was discovered he was engaged to Christine. Christine continued to write and speak on behalf of her community, all while working at a nightclub and recording studio. She died in 1989 from bladder and lung cancer just before her 63rd birthday. She's known for giving the sexual revolution 'a good kick in the pants'. #matriarch #matriarchy #herstory #transgender #transactivist #heroine #mightygirl #womenempoweringwomen #queen #lgbtq #transwoman #celebrity #history #womenofhistory #womenshistory #womenshistorymonth #portrait #womenpaintingwomen https://www.instagram.com/p/BvbgXZDlN9x/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1nqlee2n34q90

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Today's #matriarchymarch is Nakeno Takeko, a female Japanese warrior. She was born in Edo (Tokyo), and trained in both martial and literary arts. She fought in the Battle of Aizu, leading a band of female warriors. Her weapon of choice was the naginata, a Japanese polearm. While leading a charge against Imperial forces she was shot in the chest. Unable to fight on, and worried her enemies would capture her head as a trophy, she asked her sister to cut off her head and bury it somewhere secret. It's said her head was taken to Hokai Temple in modern day Aizubange, Fukushima, and burried under a pine tree. A monument has been erected at the temple beside her grave. Nakano is celebrated as a hero, and is believed to have killed as many as 172 samurai during her lifetime. She is commemorated during the Aizu Autumn Festival by young girls in hakama enacting Nakano and her female comrades in battle. #matriarchy #matriarch #femalesamurai #onnabugeisha #femalewarrior #femmefatal #heroine #mightygirl #womenempoweringwomen #herstory #history #womenofhistory #womenshistory #womenshistorymonth #portrait #womenpaintingwomen https://www.instagram.com/p/BvT2wqSFUL5/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=a0tn2zqr26jb

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Today's #matriarchymarch is all about the infamous Irish pirate queen, Grace O'Mally. Grace was born into privilege, being the daughter of 'Bkack Oak' O'Mally, chieftain of the family clan. They were reputable seafarers, and even got some income via piracy. When her father died, it was Grace who took over leadership of the clan, rather than her brother. Grace was married twice, profiting greatly from both unions. Her first husband was Donal 'The Warlike', who provided her with greater influence, taught her about warfare, and the pair had three children together. Donal was killed in an ambush, leaving Grace a respected widow until her eventual marriage to Richard Burke. Her late husband's family admired her so much they continued to support her. Soon after her marriage to Burke she became pregnant, and legend arose that she gave birth to their son while sailing with her fleet. Shortly afterwards her ship was attacked by corsairs, and despite having just given birth, she lead her crew into a victorious battle against their attackers. In 1593 Grace parlayed with Queen Elizabeth I of England, in regard to mistreatment by the English governor of Western Ireland. It's said the two communicated in Latin, as neither knew the other's language. The queen granted Grace's request under the condition that Grace would stop rebelling against the crown. Grace lives on as a folk heroine in Ireland. #matriarch #matriarchy #queen #piratequeen #heroine #herstory #history #womenshistory #womenshistorymonth #womenofhistory #piracy #chieftain #mightygirl #seafarer #portrait #womenpaintingwomen https://www.instagram.com/p/BvQ2Z21B3BW/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=634xior1rhon

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Today's subject for #matriarchymarch is Valentina Tereshkova, Russian cosmonaut, engineer, and the first woman to fly in space. Valentina was a factory worker before being selected for the mission from over 400 applicants, and five finalists. She was honorarily inducted into the Soviet Air Force, and was also the first civilian to fly into space. Valentina orbited the Earth 48 times, and is currently the only woman to have flown a solo space mission. In 2013 she is said to have offered to venture out on a one way mission to Mars if ever given the opportunity. #matriarch #spacequeen #cosmonaut #firstwomaninspace #mightygirl #breakingboundaries #herstory #history #womenshistory #womenshistorymonth #space #outerspace #spacecase #womenempoweringwomen #portrait #womenpaintingwomen https://www.instagram.com/p/BvL3uZlFnvI/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=lr0t0xiv8wb5

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Today's #matriarchymarch is the American film star and inventor, Hedy Lamarr. Austrian born Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler, she had a brief film career in Czechoslovakia before escaping from her abusive husband. While traveling to London she met the studio head of MGM, who offered her a movie contract in Hollywood, launching her to fame. Despite her onscreen renown for her portrayal as a confident and glamorous seductress, Hedy was often lonely and homesick in her private life, and she shunned being in the public eye. When she wasn't acting, Hedy spent a great deal of time cultivating various hobbies, including a love for invention. She had no formal training, but was self taught, and had a brief introduction to applied science via her former life (the husband she escaped was a munitions manufacturer). Some early inventions included an improved traffic light, and a dissolvable carbonated drink tablet. One avid supporter of her tinkering was Howard Hughes, whom Hedy dated a while. She's credited with altering the design of his aircraft from boxy to streamlined designs based off birds and fish. Hughes' own team of scientists and engineers was at Hedy's disposal as well. During wartime Hedy had sought to join the National Inventor's Council, but was told she would be if better service by promoting the sale of war bonds via her celebrity. Hedy complied with the request, however, she didn't cease her tinkering during this time. When she learned that the radio controlled torpedos used in naval warfare could be jammed and set off course, she began brainstorming ways to counteract this vulnerability. She contacted her friend George Antheil, a musical composer, and together they developed and patented a frequency hopping device. However their invention was both ahead of it's time, and unwelcome being outside of the military, and it wouldn't be until The Cuban Missile Crisis that an updated version of their invention would be implemented by the USA Navy. Hedy died in 2000 at the age of 85, from heart disease. Over her lifetime she would star in a number of roles, become a Hollywood producer, win Oscars, and be awarded for her inventions. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu3mvecFLWm/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=wme2yxn6rjpr

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Happy #internationalwomensday Today's #matriarchymarch is the legendary Iceni Queen, Boudica. Boudica's husband was an ally of the Roman Empire, and upon his death he intended for his two daughters and the Roman Empire to rule over his kingdom. However his will was ignored, and the Romans took sole ownership of his kingdom. To make matters worse, Boudicca was beaten and her daughters were raped. Boudica was invited to rebel, and lead a large army if her native Iceni against the new Roman governor. While the governor was away campaigning, Boudica led her first revolt against what is modern day Colchester, burning it to the ground. Her next target was what is now modern London, which she was also able to destroy by vastly outnumbering the Romans. The Roman Emperor Nero, upon hearing news of the revolt and heavy casualties to his army, considered withdrawing from Britain; however, his governor was able to defeat the Iceni and their queen, despite being outnumbered, regaining control once more. After her defeat Boudica is said to have died, though whether by poisoning herself as rumored, or by some other means is not known. Her legacy survives, and she is considered to be a British folk heroine. #matriarch #matriarchy #herstory #history #womenshistorymonth #womenshistory #queen #rebel #heroine #femalewarrior #femmefatal #womanscorned #mightygirl #womenempoweringwomen #shero #portrait #boudica #boudicca #woden #iceni #womenpaintingwomen https://www.instagram.com/p/BuyE-nSl7ew/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=421obhs8ly47

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Ada, Countess of Lovelace is today's featured #matriarchymarch portrait. Ada was the daughter of Lord Byron, and is best known for being an exceptionally brilliant mathematician. Lord Byron had no relationship with Ada, having left shortly after her birth, and whom died when she was only 8. She was encouraged by her mother to pursue her interests in mathematics and logistics, however Ada was not close to her mother. Instead she was raised mostly by her maternal grandmother, as well as her private tutors. As a child Ada was often sick, suffering from bouts of headaches, and then was temporarily paralyzed after suffering a bout of measles. By 12 she became obsessed with the idea of flight, and dedicated herself to the study of birds, and the construction of her in set of wings. She documented her discoveries in a book she called Flyology, which included materials for constructing wings, and maps detailing a flight path. As and adult Ada became close friends with her tutor Mary Somerville, who would introduce her charge to a bevy of scientists. At 17 she was formally introduced at court, becoming an instant belle of the ball due to her brilliance and charm. Ada would eventually marry Earl William Lovelace, who became Viscount, which is how Ada would become Countess. Scandal would follow not long after with rumors of extra marital affairs with her male friends. Ada was also addicted to gamboling, and lost over £3,000 on horse racing. She tried to form a gamboling syndicate amongst some of her friends, based on mathematics, but was largely unsuccessful. She became massively in debt and could no longer hide her misdemeanors from her husband. Ada was only 36 when she died. It's said that during this final illness she admitted some secret to her husband which caused him to abandon her. It wasn't until the 1950's that Ada's contributions to the field of computing would be discovered and reintroduced to the world. Since then she's received a number of honors including a computer language developed by the USA DoD in1980. #martriarch #computer #history #computerscience #mathematician #herstory #mightygirl #womenempoweringwomen #rolemodel #countess #smartgirl #wome https://www.instagram.com/p/BuvW8_JFu_b/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=vbs6g8p47qkx

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Today's #matriarchymarch is Princess Olga of Kiev. After the death of her husband she became Regent of Kiev, founded the first legal reforms recorded in Eastern Europe, defended her city from a siege, and evaded marriage proposals in order to preserve the power of the throne for her son. Olga was pursued by the very people who slaughtered her husband in battle. The Drevlian Prince Mal sent twenty men to plead his case for him, and Olga had them all buried alive. She then sent word to the prince she accepted his proposal, asking for his best statesmen to come to escort her into the Drevlian kingdom. Once they arrived she offered them rest and respite, then had them locked into a bath and burned alive. After all this she invited the remaining Drevlian to a funerary feast honoring her late husband, where her servants murdered over 5,000 of her 'guests'. Princess Olga was the first ruler of her countryman to convert to Christianity, though it wouldn't be until her grandson's time that the entirety of the kingdom would convert. She became the first Russian saint if the Orthodox Church, and us know as patron saint of widows and converts. #marchofthematriarchs #herstory #heroines #girlpower #femmefatal #mightygirl #womenshistory #womenshistorymonth #princess #matriarch #grudge #saint #sorrynotsorry #womanscorned #history #girlsempowergirls #portrait #womenpaintingwomen https://www.instagram.com/p/BugctyXFZQh/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=yn2ljht8nmvy

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It's March (at least here in Japan), and I'm rolling into the month with a new challenge! I'm going to make a portrait every day of different women for women's history month. Today starts off with Queen Isabella I of Castile. Her marriage to King Ferdinand II of Aragon created a united Spain. Isabella was a powerful monarch. She was able to lower the country's crime rates to the lowest they'd been, climb out of debt the crown inherited from her late brother, decreased power from the noble classes and increased the power of the crown, reformed the government, funded and profited from the discovery of Columbus, and created a royal network through the marriages of her children into the other European monarchies. She also created the infamous Spanish Inquisition, championed education (all of her children were equally educated), set up many educational institutions, had an impressive art gallery, and (fun fact!) In 1893 she became the first woman to be minted on a US coin, and US postage stamp (alongside Columbus). I hope you enjoy these sketches, I'm planning on keeping them a bit more relaxed like my witch kits from a few years ago. You can follow along with me if you want too! Swipe for my prompt list for #matriarchymarch #marchofthematriarchs #herstory #womenshistory #womenshistorymonth #girlpower #matriarch #monarchy #empoweredwomen #portrait #womenpaintingwomen #watercolors #ink #queen #mightygirl https://www.instagram.com/p/BucWol2lxcr/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=9akhdvexyzoc