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Introduction

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Not all governments have been run by men. Here, in chronological order, are twenty women who wielded significant political power, as queens, warriors, prime ministers, revolutionary leaders, Indian chiefs, first ladies, or other government officials.

Each of these extraordinary women triumphed (some at a very young age) over attitudes and conditions that couldn’t have been more adverse. Many of the women who are today’s beloved heroines were once candidates for “Most Hated Woman on Earth”—and were spat upon, jailed, even murdered. Their electrifying personalities can seem larger than life—but are they really so different from us? What were they like as human beings? What might their neighbors have noticed?

Traditionally, historians have talked most often about what powerful women looked like. This book focuses on daring deeds—and it asks unusually nosy questions, seeking a full picture of these women’s lives. Whose secret to success was the library? (Cleopatra.) Who tickled her favorite companion’s neck when she thought no one was looking? (Elizabeth I.)  Who could raise $50 million in one night, and also did other people’s laundry, by hand? (Golda Meir.) Who launched her career at the youngest age? (Joan of Arc, at thirteen.) Who wished she could quit and write novels? (Eleanor Roosevelt.) Who took only two baths in her entire life? (Isabella I.) Whose lips turned green after she nibbled her macaroni necklace? (Eva Perón.)

And who dressed like a man, in animal skins, armed with every possible weapon? (Nzingha.) Who attended seances with her own royal psychic? (Victoria.) Who cut power to the microphones of obnoxious interrupters? (Wilma Mankiller.) Who had three thousand boxes of everyday jewels? (Tz’u-hsi.)

Not all of these women are role models. Like any group of individuals, male or female, this one includes the good, the bad, and some who were both. Their stories are offered here to inspire awe at the power of women throughout history—and ever after.

—Kathleen Krull

Text copyright © by Kathleen Krull.  Published by Harcourt, Inc. and reproduced with permission.  All rights reserved.

All “Lives of” artwork copyright © by Kathryn Hewitt.  Published by Harcourt, Inc. and reproduced with permission.  All rights reserved.

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