Cleopatra Queen of the Nile

Statue of Cleopatra during her
reign as Pharaoh of Egypt. 

Relief of Cleopatra as a goddess, c. 69–30 B.C.E, 
. 

Cleopatra's formal name was, ‘Cleopatra VII Philopator’. Known most commonly as ‘Cleopatra’, and her name comes from the Geek word ‘Kleopatra’, meaning ‘glory of the father. Cleopatra was the very last Egyptian Pharaoh to rule Egypt (3). She was a female Pharaoh, led a naval fleet, and is still talked about is history books today. Cleopatra also symbolizes beauty, strength, and power. Cleopatra's actual birth is unknown, according to The History Channel, is it said to be around 69 or 70 B.C. (1). When Cleopatra was eighteen the Egyptian throne was passed to her and her ten-year old brother Ptolemy XIII (1).  Of course, keeping in the Egyptian tradition Cleopatra and her brother were married to keep the throne intact and in the family. Ptolemy and his advisers acted against Cleopatra. She was run out of Egypt, and she fled to Syria in 49 B.C., where she raised an army to battle Ptolemy (1).  According to BBC, Cleopatra "Whether she was as beautiful as was claimed, she was a highly intelligent woman and an astute politician, who brought prosperity and peace to a country that was bankrupt and split by civil war" (2). She was far from being the helpless girl. This video clip from YouTube explains more about her history in interesting way, in History vs. Cleopatra from TED-Ed.  The man most associated with Cleopatra would help her regain the throne, and overthrow her brother Ptolemy. His name was Julius Caesar of Rome. 

Depiction of Cleopatra in papyrus. 

  

Cleopatra had Caesar has her lover and ruled with him. This gave her more power and more wealth. Cleopatra was on coins, and this bothered the people because it broke the norm of having females subordinate to males (4). Taking advantage of Caesar’s displeasure with Ptolemy, With the her new found  military had overthrown her brother, and lead to his death. Caesar and Cleopatra ruled Egypt from 44 BC to 30 BC. She eventually had a son with Caesar, named Caesarion, he became co-ruler at the early age of three years old (5). Although Caesar never acknowledged him as his actual son. After Caesar's death she returned to Rome, and referred to herself as the Egyptian goddess Isis (5). When Caesar was assassinated in 44 B.C, Cleopatra made a decision to side with Mark Antony against Caesar's legal son (5). She sent troops to Rome, and was successful. She went on to have a    romantic relationship as well as a diplomatic relationship with Mark Antony. 

   

Egyptian Cobra, that is said to have killed Cleopatra. 

                                                                               Cleopatra went on to have three 
children with Mark Antony. Eventually Mark Antony's troops lost in battle and he committed suicide. Cleopatra followed suit, and it is said that she had an asp bite her and that is how she died. The History Channel, talks about how a cobra bite , may or may not be the case. Scientists today are still not certain if this is what caused her death, but it is the story and is usually told, when talking    about Cleopatra.  

Elizabeth Taylor playing Cleopatra. 

Cleopatra should be be remembered as the last pharaoh of Egypt, for her strength and not just for her beauty. She spoke many languages over the course of her life, was well educated, and took the throne at a young age. She fought her way back to the throne, after being exiled, to what is now modern day Syria. Cleopatra, ruled with men and was as able to send her army, an control a navel fleet. In history books she is most remembered because of her beauty, and not her accomplishments. Cleopatra was a strong person who was the last official pharaoh to rule over Egypt. She should be remembered for what she could do, and not what she looked like. 

Works Cited:
1.History.com Editors. “Cleopatra.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 9 Nov. 2009, https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/cleopatra   

2.  “History - Cleopatra.” BBC, BBC, http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/cleopatra.shtml 

3. Tyldesley, Joyce. “Cleopatra.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., https://www.britannica.com/biography/Cleopatra-queen-of-Egypt   

4. “Cleopatra Timeline.” Ancient History Encyclopedia, Ancient History Encyclopedia, https://www.ancient.eu/timeline/cleopatra/.

5. “Cleopatra Facts, Worksheets, Rule Of Egypt, Throne & Death For Kids.” KidsKonnect, 15 Mar. 2019, https://kidskonnect.com/people/cleopatra/.

Nanny of the Maroons

Portrait of Queen Nanny

Nanny, who also is known as Granny Nanny and Queen Nanny, was a Maroon leader and Obeah woman in Jamaica during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Maroons were slaves who escaped and formed settlements in Jamaica, and Nanny was also a slave who escaped. It is widely believed that she came from the Ashanti tribe in present-day Ghana.^[1] Nanny and her four brothers had all been sold into slavery and then later escaped into the mountains and jungles that make up Jamaica. Nanny and her brother Quao founded a village in the Eastern side of Jamaica called the Blue Mountains. The town was called Nanny Town. The town and the Maroons thrived and made raids on plantations. It has been known that her efforts led to the escape of roughly 1,000 slaves^[1].

She is described in both legends and documents to have exceptional leadership qualities. She organized the guerilla warfare executed by the Eastern Maroons to fight off the British troops who tried to overpower them through the mountains. Nanny fiercely stood for freedom, and when Quao signed the second treaty with the British in 1739 it is said that Nanny was furious and in disagreement with the idea of peace with the British. She knew this meant as another form of subjugation^[2]. Her death happened in 1733, by Captain William Cuffee, during one of the numerous and vicious engagements of the First Maroon War. Nanny’s life and accomplishments are recognized by the Government of Jamaica. She is honored as a National Hero and awarded a title of “Right Excellent”. There are currently seven recognized as National Heroes and Nanny is the only woman with this title^[1].

Nanny wth Maroons at Nanny Town

Nanny rightfully deserves all the recognition and titles given to her for all she had accomplished and what she stood for. She escaped slavery and created Nanny Town, but she didn’t stop there. She continued to help other slaves escape and attacked the plantations the enslaved them. She was so fierce and efficient in these escapes and attacks that the British colonial administration had become embarrassed and threatened by the Maroons^[1]. Nanny’s efforts were causing them to lose slaves, as well as having their equipment and crops burned. Nanny was a passionate woman who would not rest until freedom was won for the Maroons and continued to fervently fight for that throughout the First Maroon War until her death.

                                                                    

                                                                  

                                                                      Works Cited: 

1. Bernard, Ian. “Queen Nanny of the Maroons (? - 1733) • BlackPast.” BlackPast, 30 June 2019, https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/queen-nanny-maroons-1733/.
2. “Nanny of the Maroons - Jamaican National Hero.” Jamaica Information Service, https://jis.gov.jm/information/heroes/nanny-of-the-maroons/.

Pictures:

Unknown. “Black History Month- Jamaica’s Queen Nanny of the Maroons.” Found, Funtimes Magazine, 24 October 2019. https://images.app.goo.gl/EN3SbWMY1aq9GXQ6A

Unknown. “Nanny of the Maroons.” Found, Theoretical Psychologist & Humanist, 18 January 2016. https://images.app.goo.gl/M5jXVD9E42Bw6hv16

Nefertiti an Egyptian Queen

Nefertiti mysterious and powerful also known as "The Beautiful Woman has Come" is an Egyptian Queen who reigned during what can be titled the wealthiest period of time in ancient Egyptian history. She is known as the most beautiful and powerful Queen in her Egyptian dynasty. She and her husband are recognized for creating a new religion called Aten together and moving their kingdom elsewhere for a new start. She is depicted in her drawings and writings as having more power than previous queens before her time because of her Pharaoh like crown (headwear) and her drawings depicting a sign of power. She was being elevated constantly in history and she was in position of power nonstop. They believe her depictions and writing disappeared because she was crowned King after her husband's death.




Although we do not know a lot of detailed information about Nefertiti I can say that she is an inspiration to women who need a reminder that they are more than capable of being in a position of power. Even in a time where woman were not seen as powerful Nefertiti came in and changed the game for Queens in Egypt. It is fascinating to know that we kept her story going all the way till this time despite women being viewed as weaker. Throughout her writings they had no choice but to talk about her powers as the queen they even draw her wearing a Pharaoh's hat to inform us of her constant power during her reign. Even while having this immense power in her kingdom she was unapologetically a women, her beauty was not seen as a weakness. I hope we move forward with Nefertiti's story and use that as an inspiration to women anywhere.




Sources
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc3Rsq7v4w8
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nefertiti
https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/nefertiti

Joan of Arc: Gender-Bending Woman Who Changed History

Joan of Arc at the Coronation of Charles VII, 1854

Almost everyone has heard of Joan of Arc, and she is usually most known for being a canonized saint. However Joan of Arc accomplished much more within her lifetime that some may not know of. She referred to herself as "Jehanna la Pucelle," or "Joan the Maid." This signified that she was a virgin, which was an important distinction given the reason that her society held female virginity before marriage in high regard. She was most known for the nickname known as "The Maid of Orléans"(3).

Joan was born around 1412 in Northern France. She grew up in the village of Domrémy, in a family of poor tenant farmers, where she was never taught how to read or write. At the age of 13, Joan began to claim that she was hearing voices inside her head. She came to the conclusion that these voices had been sent by God to give her a mission of overwhelming importance. This mission was to save France by getting rid of its enemies and to install Charles as its rightful king. As a part of Joan's divine mission, she took a vow of chastity. At the age of 16, her father attempted to set up an arranged marriage for her. Because of the vow she had taken, she was able to successfully convince a local court that she should not be forced into this (2). 

At the age of 17, Joan had finally set out to do what she had been told to. She fought alongside Charles, after finally being able to convince him she belonged there with them. Joan appeared victorious on this journey until the England allies captured her during a small battle. The Burgundians kept her captive for several months, and finally exchanged her back to the English for 10,000 francs (1). 

During her trial, Joan was charged with 70 different accounts. These included witchcraft, heresy, and dressing like a man. Instead of being held in a church prison with nuns as the guards, she was held in a military prison. During this time, she was threatened of rape and torture (1). Her strength during this time is one of the biggest reasons she is an advocate for being a woman warrior. Finally, on May 29, 1431, it was announced that Joan of Arc was guilty of heresy, which meant that her religious beliefs were contrary to the beliefs of the England allies. At only the age of 19, Joan was taken to the marketplace in Rouen and burned at the stake, in front of a lard crowd to see (2). 

Despite Joan's young age, she demonstrated extreme bravery throughout her lifetime. She came from a humble beginning, and she achieved things that should have been impossible for someone her gender and class in 15th-Century France. Throughout her entire life, people would doubt her and go against her, however, no matter what the consequence may have been, she never backed down from what she had believed in. A big reason for this type of strength came from the faith she had in God from the very start of her childhood. Joan was canonized as a saint on May 16, 1920, and is the patron saint of France (1).

The short life of Joan of Arc demonstrates bravery, strength, and the true meaning of heroism. She teaches us that no matter what the risks may be, to always stand for what you believe in, in spite of who may be doubting you. Regardless if she was a woman, she fought for what she believed in, and even stood up to Charles, insisting on the fact that she belonged in the battle alongside all of the men. Joan ended up being the strongest, out of all the men, because she was the one who sacrificed herself in the end. 

(1) Editors, Biography.com. “Joan of Arc.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 18 Apr. 2019, https://www.biography.com/military-figure/joan-of-arc.

(2) Editors, History.com. “Joan of Arc.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 9 Nov. 2009, https://www.history.com/topics/middle-ages/saint-joan-of-arc.

(3) “Joan of Arc: Facts & Biography.” LiveScience, LiveScience, 19 July 2003, https://www.livescience.com/38288-joan-of-arc.html.

Oya: The Goddess of Many 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPGdoFiGq0M
Link to a video on a brief history of Oya.

Oya, whose name literally means "she (who) tore" in Yoruba is an Orisha in Southern Nigeria which means she is an African Goddess. Shango, God of thunder and lightning stumbled upon a buffalo one day and attempted to kill it but this very buffalo transformed into Oya and he instantly fell in love, making her his wife, his favorite wife at that.  Oya is an Orisha of the Niger River who was born in Ira in the sixteenth century and is also known as the mother of nine because she can communicate with nine spiritual ancestors from the dead who are referred to as egguns. Not only can Oya communicate with the dead, she is an unbeatable female warrior whose power lies and is rooted in the natural world making her also the Goddess of lightning, thunder, tornadoes, hurricanes, rainstorms, and wind. Oya is responsible for bringing strength, change,  and truth to her people and does so successfully in a multitude of ways. 

Oya emphasizes the beauty and great power. 

              Oya, All-Powerful
         Oya is a female warrior for she utilizes every one of her skills in order to create rapid change and protect her people, women especially. The protector and leader of feminine leadership, Oya is both loved and feared all for good reason due to her passion for truth and justice. Oya is important to African culture and is well respected because of her intelligence, strength and overall unpredictability as a powerful woman. On one hand, Oya is the protective mother, loving and caring to all yet at any time she may become the savage, destructive warrior who will destroy villages in order to seek justice and find the truth for her people.  Oya is empowering to me as an advocate for women because she could solely use her powers to destroy but instead, she only utilizes them for the greater good and the protection of her people from any corruptness that may occur. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbdkrZ6H0no
Link to imagery and the dance of Oya.

      Powerful Image 

Oya is a tall, thin, elegant, brown-skinned Goddess who is known to be dressed in a beautiful burgundy dress with a grass skirt containing nine different colored cloths that symbolize the mother of the nine. Oya's main colors are purple and brown and you will never see her in anything black. Oya also wears nine copper bracelets at all times to represent her number and symbol. When Oya dances it is said to be the most beautiful site as her colorful skirt flies in the wind and she dances with an iruke, a horse haired whip that displays even more elegance. This God is to be prayed to in times of change or discourse in your life but Oya is also praised when your life has taken a positive turn and she is to provide reassurance and stability through it all. With the power and ability to sweep away all negativity and create change for all people, Oya is a Goddess that is worth being knowledgeable of and is without a doubt a female warrior. 

Works Cited

"Oya." Blogspot, Yoruba Religion, 24, October 2018, https://cubanyoruba.blogspot.com/2018/06/oya.html#targetText=Oya%20is%20an%20Osha%20and,the%20violent%20and%20impetuous%20character.&targetText=Oya%20is%20the%20Orisha%20of,Oya%2C%20by%20its%209%20tributaries

"Oya: Lady of Storms", http://www.orderwhitemoon.org/goddess/oya-storms/Oya.html

“Ọya.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 5 Oct. 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ọya.

Lyudimila Pavlichenko

            In a time when there wasn’t just one nation at war with another, but the entire world at war; there weren’t enough men to do all of the fighting.  The women warriors of World War II came in many forms; from taking on the jobs that men had to leave behind, to nurses on the battlefront.  But some women wanted to help the war effort even further, fighting alongside the thousands of men in combat.  One soldier from the Soviet Union didn’t just want to fight amongst men, but wanted to be the best fighter on the battlefield.  Lyudimila Pavlichenko is one of the top five snipers of all time and regarded as the most successful female sniper in history (2).

Pavlichenko in her decorated Soviet uniform.

            Pavlichenko was born July 12, 1916 in today’s Ukraine, but she moved with her family at the age of 14 to Kiev (2).  Growing up, she was described as an extremely competitive tomboy which led her to join the Soviet paramilitary youth group, where she developed into an armature sharpshooter (2).  She wanted to show that a girl could shoot just as well as a boy so, “I practiced a lot,” said Pavlichenko (3).  Her practice paid off as she earned her Voroshilov sharpshooter badge and marksman certificate (2). However, before her military career began, she was married to a doctor, Alexei Pavlichenko, at the age of 16 and gave birth to their son Rostislav (2).  The two did not have a happily ever after as they divorced shortly after Rostislav was born.  She then enrolled at Kiev University to study history, but while she was there, she completed a military sniping course (2).

Pavlichenko amongst the men of the Red Army.

            When Germany began to invade the Soviet Union in 1941, our woman warrior wanted to fight, though her sharpshooter badge and marksman certificate were not enough for the Red Army to accept a women into their ranks(3).  Originally, the red army would not enlist her as anything other than a nurse (1). Pavlichenko is quoted saying “I had to try all kinds of tricks to get in.” And it was her persistence that gave her chance to prove herself (3).  After taking out two Romanian workers helping the German’s just across the border, Pavlichenko was accepted into the Chapayev Rifle Division of the Red Army (3). 

Pavlichenko with her rifle.

            In her first seventy-five days of service she had 187 confirmed German kills.  She quickly rose through the ranks of the Red Army but also rose to be the number one target for the Germans.  Eventually, she was taken out of active duty after suffering mortar shell shrapnel to the face from German munitions (1).  Now off the battlefield however, the Germans now turned their attention to broadcasting recruiting messages to her.  They requested that she defect to their side; offering her comfort and candy (3).  They German’s clearly didn’t know Pavlichenko very well.  Instead, Pavlichenko decided to use her skills to train new snipers for the Red Army to continue to help win the war (3). 

Pavlichenko Sharpshooting from a tree.

            By the end of the war Pavlichenko was one of about 500 snipers remaining in the Red Army out of 2,400 (3).  She had 309 confirmed kills, 36 of witch were highly decorated German marksman, making her one of the top military snipers of all time (1).  She was likely even more deadly as a third party had to whiteness a confirmed kill (3).  She exited the Red Army at the rank of Lieutenant and the rank of Major in the Soviet Navy (2).  Once home, she received several awards, including the Gold Star Medal which is the highest award a country can give (women).   After her time serving, she finished her education at Kiev University, graduating with her master’s degree in History (3).  A soldier, a mother, and a scholar; Lyudmilla Pavlichenko is a true warrior woman.

Works Cited

1. Kelly, Erin. “The 8 Most Bad-Ass Women of World War II.” All That's Interesting, All That's

Interesting, 10 July 2019, https://allthatsinteresting.com/women-in-world-war-2.

2. “Lyudmila Pavlichenko.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 24 Oct. 2019,

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyudmila_Pavlichenko.

3. Winston, George. “Lady Assassin Lyudmila Pavlichenko Deadliest Female Sniper of All

Time.” WAR HISTORY ONLINE, 1 Oct. 2019, https://www.warhistoryonline.com/instant-articles/lady-death-lyudmila-pavlichenko.html.