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Catherine the Great (Catherine II)
Leadership role: Empress of Russia Achievements: Modernized Russia, expanded territory, promoted education and arts, implemented administrative reforms Impact: Demonstrated that women could be effective absolute monarchs, established precedent for female political leadership in Russia, improved women's educational opportunities -
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Queen Victoria
Leadership role: Queen of the United Kingdom and Empress of India Achievements: Oversaw British industrial revolution, colonial expansion, and cultural transformation Impact: Redefined expectations of female monarchs, balanced motherhood with leadership, shaped moral and social values that influenced women's roles -
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Marie Curie
Leadership role: Scientific pioneer and researcher Achievements: First woman to win Nobel Prize, discovered polonium and radium, developed mobile X-ray units Impact: Broke gender barriers in science, inspired generations of women to pursue STEM careers, established model for women in research leadership -
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Eleanor Roosevelt
Leadership role: First Lady, UN Delegate, Human Rights Advocate Achievements: Led Universal Declaration of Human Rights development, championed civil rights, reformed social welfare, particularly influential in 1950s Impact: Redefined First Lady role, advocated for women's rights and equality, showed women could be independent political forces -
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Indira Gandhi
Leadership role: Prime Minister of India Achievements: Led India through major reforms, strengthened country's nuclear program, implemented agricultural improvements Time period: 1966-1977, 1980-1984 Impact: First female Prime Minister of India, proved women could lead large democratic nations, inspired South Asian women in politics -
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Ursula von der Leyen
Leadership role: President of the European Commission Achievements: Leading EU through post-Brexit era, European Green Deal implementation, COVID-19 response coordination Time period: 2019-present Impact: First female President of European Commission, champions gender equality in leadership, advocates for women's representation in politics