March 8 is International Women’s Day. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the women in your life! A mother, a partner, a sister, a friend… This date was not chosen at random. It commemorates women’s struggle for their rights in the early 20th century. Here are the women who have left their mark on Paris through their struggles, their influence, and their journeys. Profiles as diverse as they are inspiring!
Olympe de Gouges, one of the first feminists 
Olympe de Gouges was one of the first major figures in feminism and the defense of human rights. As early as the 1700s, she was spreading her progressive ideas through plays and other political works that supported women’s rights, the right to unemployment benefits for workers, and the abolition of slavery. She remains an inspiring pioneer today for her courage and tenacity!
Marie Curie, scientific genius
Who doesn’t know Marie Curie? This extraordinary woman received two Nobel Prizes in physics and chemistry for her work on radioactivity. Together with her husband Pierre, she discovered two highly toxic poisons: polonium and radium. These fundamental discoveries shaped the nuclear field as we know it today. In addition to being a genius and leaving an indelible mark on the world of science, Marie Curie became the first woman to teach science to students. Her work paved the way for other talented female scientists who followed in her footsteps.
Josephine Baker, artist and resistance fighter
Originally from St. Louis, Freda Josephine MacDonald was one of the first black female celebrities. A multidisciplinary artist, she sang, danced, acted, and was actively involved in the resistance. Josephine Baker arrived in Paris in the 1920s. She became the star of her own show: the Revue Nègre. Muse to the painters of the time, adored by jazz musicians,and a cabaret star, Josephine Baker was one of the most famous figures in Paris. In 1939, she became a counterintelligence agent. Once the occupation was over, after hiding numerous messages in her sheet music and gathering information from many people, she continued her active work for the Red Cross. Later, after experiencing violent segregation upon her return to the United States,she became a fierce activist against racism.
Colette, journalist committed to the LGBT cause
A journalist, writer, actress, and activist, this woman of letters is a true Parisian icon. The second woman to be elected by the Académie Goncourt for her novel Claudine, she was committed throughout her life to women’s rights, but also to the rights of bisexuals, who were largely ignored at the time. Her audacity and courage continue to inspire people today!
Simone Veil, an inspiring politician
Simone Veil in Paris, 1974 ©AFP Archives
How can we not mention Simone Veil? This leading figure in French feminism was a survivor of Auschwitz. She became Minister of Health and was responsible for the legalization of abortion, a huge step forward for women’s rights. In 2010, she was inducted into the Académie Française! She is still only the sixth woman to sit in this literary institution, known for being extremely conservative.
Edith Piaf, the world-famous artist
How can we talk about the great women of Paris without mentioning the one and only Edith Piaf? La Môme, an international icon of song, was born in our beloved capital. Beyond the beautiful songs she gave to the world, it is thanks to her that the Olympia is still open today. Threatened with closure, the venue was about to shut its doors. But thanks to the singer’s performances, the Olympia has been able to survive to this day.
Simone de Beauvoir, novelist and activist
Simone de BeauvoirBorn and died in Paris,Simone de Beauvoir was a great philosopher,novelist,theorist, and feminist activist. Sartre’s partner, she never married: “Marriage doubles family obligations and all social chores. ” (The Force of Age). Simone de Beauvoir is the author of the book “The Second Sex,” now considered a must-read in feminist literature.
