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International Women's Day: Seven inspirational female pioneers

From the first woman in space to the first female to take up a seat in the House of Commons

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By The Week Staff

published 8 March 2017

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Marie Curie: The Polish physicist discovered radium and polonium and was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize — (Image credit: Hulton Archive)

onstage at the 10th Annual Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on September 7, 2005 in Pasadena, California. — (Image credit: 2005 Getty Images)

Elizabeth Garrett Anderson: The first British woman licensed to practice medicine, as well as the UK's first female mayor

Russian astronaut Valentina Tereshkova practises feeding in simulated flight conditions for her flight as the first woman in space on the Vostok VI mission. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images) — (Image credit: Getty Images)

circa 1941:Nancy, Lady Astor MP (1879 - 1964) at her desk atCliveden, her home which has been turned into a hospital for Canadian wounded during WW II.(Photo by Tunbridge/Tunbridge-Sedgwick P — (Image credit: Getty Images)

MONROVIA, LIBERIA - NOVEMBER 06:Presidential candidate Ellen Johnson Sirleaf waves to supporters during a support parade November 6, 2005 in Monrovia, Liberia."Ellen," as she universally know — (Image credit: 2005 Getty Images)

Juliana Morell: In 1608, the 14-year-old Spanish child prodigy became the first woman to receive a university degree

Events are taking place around the world today to mark International Women's Day 2017 and the ongoing fight for equality.

This year has already proven a turbulent one for women's rights, with the inauguration of Donald Trump proving a catalyst for unprecedented coordinated action by feminist groups.

The day after the inauguration, millions of women - and their male allies - gathered in cities around the world to protest against the new US President, who has a documented history of misogynistic comments, and his administration's stances on abortion access, LGBT rights, climate change and immigration.

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Meanwhile, research published by the TUC this week also reveals that the average woman in the UK earns 18 per cent less than her male counterparts.

"This pay gap means that across the board, women effectively work for free for the first 66 days of the year," said TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady.

The same research found that women of Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Africa face an even bigger pay disparity.

However, despite the challenges faced by women around the world, International Women's Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of pioneering women.

Click on the gallery above to read about seven inspirational females.

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