Women have often been labeled as the “weaker sex,” particularly in patriarchal societies where women do not enjoy the same rights as men. Though their participation in the male-dominated world of the military had been controversial throughout history, there were many who have proven themselves to be just as capable as their male counterparts. Listed as follows are but ten of the many military women from different times and places in history:

1. Joan of Arc

   
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   Known as the “Maid of Orleans,” she was granted the command of the French army in 1429 at a tender age of only 16 or17 by the Dauphin of France (the future Charles VII) during the Hundred Years’ War. She was sent to Siege of Orleans, where she captured all the English fortifications in just 9 days. Her victories in Jargeau, Meung-sur-Loire, Beaugency and Patay helped regained almost every English possession in France.

2. Septima Zenobia

   She possessed exceptional beauty and was well educated, able to speak Latin, Greek, Syriac and Coptic. Upon claiming the throne of the Palmyrene Empire (present day Syria) (3rd century A.D.) upon the death of her husband Septimus Odenathus, she led armies in defeating the Romans, who weren’t too thrilled on having women ruling their vast territories. She also conquered parts of Egypt and Asia Minor, but was ultimate betrayed by the new emperor Aurelian due to gender prejudice.

3. Ahhotep I (1560-1530 B.C.)

   She acted as regent when her young son Ahmose I ascended the throne of Egypt. She personally trained, equipped and rallied her troops in defeating the Hyksos invaders; and united Upper and Lower Egypt under one rule. This warrior queen, whose military exploits were recounted on a stone monument in the temple of Amun-Re, was found buried with three “golden fly” medals symbolizing her heroic courage in battle.

4. Angelica Bruton

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   She was adept in both sword and hand-to-hand combat and served in various campaigns defending Corsica from 1792 to 1799. At first, she fought disguised as a man, but when her true gender was discovered, she had already proven her worth that she was permitted to continue in the army. This French lieutenant was awarded the French Legion of Honor by Napoleon III, the first woman to be so honored.

5. Aethelflaed

   The daughter of Alfred the Great and sister of Edward the Elder of Wessex, she became the ruler of Mercia (912 – 918) after her husband Aethelred, Earl of Mercia, died in battle. As a military leader, she had ordered the fortifications of her borders, led forces in defeating the Danish invaders and was able to recover lost territories.

6. Matilda of Canossa

   
   Sculpture by Bernini (Saint Peter’s Basilica, Rome)

   She was the Countess of Tuscany, had excellent weapons training as a child, and accompanied her parents in battle in 1061 defending the interests of Pope Alexander II and fighting against the antipopes. In 1069, she began to command armies and spent the next three decades in the service of several popes waging war against the Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV.

7. Urraca, Queen of Aragon

   She spent thirteen years waging warfare against her second husband Alfonso I of Aragon in order to defend the inheritance rights of her son by her first husband Raymond of Burgundy. She was able to recover much of her domain and reigned victoriously for many years as Queen of Leon and Castille from 1109 until her death in 1126.

8. Tomoe Gozen

   
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   A samurai from 12th century Japan, she was well respected and fought as bravely as any male samurai. While other women took up arms to defend their homes, she was the consummate warrior, skillful in archery, swordmanship and horsemanship. She was a loyal captain of her husband Minamoto Yoshinaka’s army, having led troops during the Gempei War and Battle of Awaru.

9. Catalina de Erauso

   A Basque woman from San Sebastian Spain known as “the Lieutenant Nun,” she escaped tp convent in 1596 at age 15, cut her hair short, and wore man’s clothes. She then traveled to Peru, where she enlisted herself, joined in the Arauco War against South American natives, took command when her captain was killed, and led her troops to triumph. However, her tendency toward violence was not only confined to the battlefield but also in her ordinary everyday life, involving herself in gambling, brawling, murders, thefts and various other crimes.

10. Nadezhda Durova

    

    A decorated army captain, she published in 1836 “the Cavalry Maiden,” a memoir recounting her military experiences. Though married with a son, she left home and joined the Russian cavalry, disguised as a man under the name Alexander Sokolov. She served with distinction in all 1806-1807 Prussian campaign and the 1812 Napoleon’s invasion of Russia, that Tsar Alexander I, who heard of her peerless courage, awarded her the Cross of St. George making her the first known female officer in the Russian military.

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