They put words on the page and changed the world.
Begum Rokeya
1880–1932 · Rangpur, Bengal (now Bangladesh)
She wrote the world's first feminist utopia — in 1905 — from her own house, in secret, while her husband slept.
Tarabai Shinde
1850–1910 · Buldhana, Maharashtra, India
In 1882 she wrote India's angriest book about women's lives. It was 50 pages long and it changed everything.
Maya Angelou
1928–2014 · St. Louis, Missouri, USA
She didn't speak for 5 years. When she finally found her voice, she became one of the greatest writers in history.
Toni Morrison
1931–2019 · Lorain, Ohio, USA
She was 39 when her first novel was published. She had two young sons, a full-time job, and no one believed her book would sell.