International women’s day: first woman to...

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY: HOW FAR ARE WE FROM GENDER EQUALITY? WHAT IS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY? International women’s day has reportedly been celebrated since 1910, and- from marches

to breakfasts to seminars- there are many events across the globe in its honour. However, it seems that the day is becoming less and less popular. Olga Andrienko, Head of Global Marketing

at data provider SEMrush says: “International Women’s Day has become a widely discussed calendar date for championing parity for women all over the world, as well as celebrating the women

who are trailblazing in new industries and careers, while helping others to do the same. “We were surprised to see that there is a decrease occurring in the numbers of people looking for

more information around the date, which suggests that the message of inclusion and equality may not be getting through. “The fact this trend is noticeable both globally and within the UK

cannot be ignored – and yet the issue of gender equality has seen the highest number rise in interest over the years we analysed.” If you will be toasting to women around the globe on Monday

March 8, you’ll need some ammunition for your social media accounts. Who are some women that inspire you? Read on to find out who the first women were to achieve a range of important

titles. Olga Andrienko, Head of Global Marketing at data provider SEMrush says: “International Women’s Day has become a widely discussed calendar date for championing parity for women all

over the world, as well as celebrating the women who are trailblazing in new industries and careers, while helping others to do the same. “We were surprised to see that there is a decrease

occurring in the numbers of people looking for more information around the date, which suggests that the message of inclusion and equality may not be getting through. “The fact this trend is

noticeable both globally and within the UK cannot be ignored – and yet the issue of gender equality has seen the highest number rise in interest over the years we analysed.” If you will be

toasting to women around the globe on Monday March 8, you’ll need some ammunition for your social media accounts. Who are some women that inspire you? Read on to find out who the first women

were to achieve a range of important titles. International Women’s Day: International Women's day is on March 8 every year (Image: Getty) International Women’s Day: There was a time

when women were not allowed to run in marathons, and Violet Piercy was the first to change that. (Image: Getty) WHO WAS THE FIRST WOMAN TO RUN A MARATHON? Running was not always considered

to be ‘for women’, and when times started to change the women’s Amateur Althetic Association created a rule that no race should exceed 1000 metres. Violet Piercy, a South Londoner born in

1889, was the first to challenge this and became the first British female marathon runner in 1926. She finished in 3:40:22, setting the first women’s world best in the marathon. Although she

ran unofficially, her determination and success paved the way for female runners today. International Women’s Day: Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize for science (Image:

Getty) WHO WAS THE FIRST WOMAN TO WIN A NOBEL PRIZE FOR SCIENCE? The first woman to win a Nobel Prize in science was Marie Curie. The French scientist won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903,

for her research on the radiation phenomena. She won again in 1911, but this time in Chemistry, making her the only woman in history to be honoured twice. Curie was a pioneer for women in

science, and 52 women have since gone on to win the Nobel Prize. Anyone can admire the brains and strength of Marie Curie, whether you find science fascinating or not. DON'T MISS- 

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IS A TRUE ICON [INSIGHT] RELATED ARTICLES WHO WAS THE FIRST WOMAN TO CLIMB EVEREST? Any adventurers will know the name Junko Tabei- the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest in

1975. The Japanese mountaineer climbed all the Seven Summits by climbing the highest peak on every continent. Junko Tabei was thought of as weak and frail as a small child, but began

climbing mountains at the young age of 10. Her family were not rich, and this was an expensive hobby. If she can dream big and set records, so can you! nternational Women’s Day: Amelia

Earhart was a key inspiration for Geraldine Mock (Image: Getty) WHO WAS THE FIRST WOMAN TO FLY? American aviatior Amelia Earhart became the first female aviator to fly solo across the

Atlantic Ocean in 1932. By 1935, Earhart had set seven records by women’s speed and distance in aviation in many different forms of aircraft. She also played a key part in forming The

Ninety-Nines, which is the International Organisation of Women Pilots. The Ninety-Nines to this day provides networking, mentoring and flight scholarship opportunities to women who want to

fly. Earhart is a great example of Girl Power, breaking rules and giving future generations a chance to do what many were denied before. WHO WAS THE FIRST WOMAN TO VOTE? You will have heard

the sorry of the Pankhurst sisters and the Suffragettes, but who actually got to vote first? The women behind the suffrage movevment showed complete fearlessness and never backed down,

despite being feared by men and women alike. The suffragettes and suffragists were instrumental in gaining the vote and were even sent to prison where they took part in hunger strikes- all

in the name of the vote. They were resillient- shouting down speakers, throwing stones, smashing windows, and doing anything to cause a scene and demand their right to vote. Lily Maxwell was

one of them, and is said to be the first British woman to vote in 1843 Manchester born Maxwell owned a shop in Manchester, a job that if occupied by a man would allow him to vote in the

early 1800s. Remember Maxwell and the suffragists for their refusal to back down. International Women’s Day: Marches are happening across the country to celebrate the occasion (Image: Getty)

WHO WAS THE FIRST WOMAN TO FLY AROUND THE WORLD? Geraldine Mock- better known as Jerrie Mock- was the first woman to fly solo around the world in 1964. Mock was 11 when she watched her idol

Amelia Earhart become the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic, and was inspired to do even more. The adventure took 29 days in total and Mock encountered a few frightening

incidents,like when the plane’s atenna wire began burning. The passion Mock had came from watching Earhart, and so many women have been inspired by both women. The pair are a great example

of women empowering women. RELATED ARTICLES WHO WAS THE FIRST WOMAN TO GO TO SPACE? Back in 1963, Valentina Tereshkova was launched on a solo mission to space, making her the first woman

ever to do this. The Russian austronaught’s journey to success is jawdropping. She worked at a textile factory after leaving school, and began skydiving and parachuting at a local club. One

day she decided to apply for the Soviets’ space programme, and was chosen out of at least 400 other candidates. In 1963, after 18 months of training, she went to space. Tereshkova still

holds the title as the yongest woman to fly to space, and has inspired generations of women to do the same. International Women’s Day: Valentina Tereshkova went to space at 24 years old

(Image: Getty) WHO WAS THE FIRST WOMAN TO SWIM THE ENGLISH CHANNEL? Gertrude Ederle swam the English Channel faster than the five men who had already done it before her. The then 19 year old

made history in 1926, being the first woman ever to tackle the icy waters. After a period of fame, the swimmer who was born in New York went on to teach swimming at a school of deaf

children. Truly inspirational. WHO WAS THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO WIN AN OSCAR? Black women were doubly oppressed, and to a lesser extent still are. Hattie McDaniel became the first black

woman to win an Oscar in 1939. Imagine how much strength and persevation it would have taken to win over a society who doubted you because of your skin and your gender. WHO WAS THE FIRST

WOMAN TO WIN A NOBEL PRIZE FOR LITERATURE? Selma Lagerlöf was the first woman and first Swedish writer to win the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1909. She published her novel Gösta Berling’s

Saga at the age of 33. At the end of the century, Lagerlöf’s became the first woman to be despicted on a Swedish banknote (and rightly so!)