J.K. Rowling
The first name is one that is famous for the Harry Potter works. She spent years trying to find a publisher to take her works and was rejected more times than many men.
She even went into poverty while trying to create her masterpieces and get them out there. That hard work has paid off.
She is the author of the Harry Potter franchise, which has turned into movies, toys and a theme park! She is now breaking into other areas of writing to continue her success.
Beyonce Knowles
Once part of Destiny’s Child, Beyonce Knowles has reached international stardom as a solo artist. She started when she was just a child, with friends who would sing and dance together.
She has been through breakups, arguments and jealous band members to get to where she is today. Even after having her daughter, she shows no sign of stopping with ad and movie deals.
Coco Chanel
If it wasn’t for Coco Chanel, women would likely still be in the tight and uncomfortable clothes.
Coco managed to get rid of the corsets in fashion and gave women the chance to wear something that they loved. Being born into poverty and being a woman in the late 19th century didn’t stop her.
She brought a man’s style to women’s fashion and was the first to create a jersey for women. She also moved into fragrances; being the first fashion designer to do that.
Photo: biography.com
Hillary Clinton
Some people may disagree with this but she has definitely proven that a woman can do a man’s job.
She stood by her husband, Bill Clinton, when his affair came to light and has managed to push herself up the career ladder; coming second to Barack Obama in the Democrat leadership vote.
She hasn’t stopped either, with becoming the first female president on her list.
Marie Curie
Marie Curie made science a career choice for women. She also made a breakthrough in cancer treatments with radiotherapy.
She worked day and night to progress in her career, managing to be the first female to become Sorbonne’s Professor of General Physics. She died due to her work – getting leukaemia due to radiation poisoning.
Madonna
Madonna went from leaving home to try and make it in New York to becoming a household name all over the world.
She hasn’t had it easy and it wasn’t an instant number one.
She’s proven that hard work and determination pays off. She’s been through the bad marriages and had to fight for her children but she has made it and continues to progress.
Rosa Parks
It’s not quite a career but it was a dream.
Rosa was fed up of giving up her seat and being treated like a second-rate citizen because of her colour.
She chose to stand up to “The Man” and refused to stand or move to the back of the bus.
She did go to prison but it started the civil rights movement that she had longed for.