Five top women who made a difference

Whether in the field of politics, civil rights, nursing or fashion, these feisty females all changed the world we live in, writes Vickie Chan.

When asked to name top women leaders worldwide, and at any time in history, it is easy to leap to a political answer. However, the dictionary definition describes “a person who guides or directs a group; an act or instance of leading; guidance; direction”.     

The following women have all paved the way for change, through different means.

Emmeline Pankhurst (July 15 1858 – June 14 1928)

Famous for her militant ideas, Pankhurst became involved in the women’s suffrage movement at 14. Although married with five children, she founded the Women’s Social and Political Union in 1903 and coined the phrase “deeds, not words”.

Deeds included calling for window smashing, confronting the police, and hunger strikes. At the start of World War I, Pankhurst asked members of her movement to unite against Germany.