Women have had hundreds upon hundreds of reasons to carry protest posters since the dawn of time, whether it was for voting rights, reproductive rights, or most recently, against sexual predators holding powerful positions. What started with the first well-organized, not so peaceful protest for suffrage in as early as 1913, is now often supported by men also, who understand that feminism and related social issues are not some evil entity, but rather thinking of women as equals. Sadly enough, ladies still have to prove their worthiness to some.
To celebrate the strength and bravery of all the women and girls who have taken to the streets, stood up for their beliefs and gender equality, and stared down anyone who tried to get in their way, we've compiled the best photos of female social activists and protesters from around the world, and they're sure to speak to your renegade soul. They might even inspire you to get a protest sign in your own hands the next time you have a chance. Be sure to vote for the most powerful ones, and let us know if you've ever committed an act of defiance for a good cause in the comments.
#21 Woman Campaigning For The Vote Is Restrained By Policemen, C 1910. British Women Did Not Win Full Voting Rights Until 1928
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151points
#22 Zulaikha Patel, 13, Along With Other Schoolgirls, Protests Racist Hair Policies At Pretoria Girls High School, South Africa, 2016
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#23 Feminists Are Burning Some Election Posters To Fight For Women's Suffrage. Photograph. Paris, France, 12 May 1935
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136points
#25 With Blood Covering Her Hand And Arm, A Woman Points At A Police Officer In Charlotte, Nc, 21 September 2016
131points
#26 A Woman Kneels Down And Holds Up A Feather While Facing Police Moving In To Break Up Anti-Fracking Protesters In New Brunswick, October 2013
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127points
#27 Jasmina Golubovska Kisses The Shield Of A Police Officer In Front Of The Macedonian Government Building In Skopje, 5 May 2015
125points
#28 Woman Braves The Water Cannon In Turkey, 2013
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#29 Women Protested Against The Dismantling Of Policies To Confront And Care For Women Victims Of Violence In The City Of São Paulo, 10 August 2017
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#30 Indian Policemen Restrain A Tibetan Woman During A Demonstration At The Chinese Embassy. On The Occasion Of The Tibetan Women’s Uprising Day, New Delhi, 12 March 2008
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#31 Feminist Activists Protest On The Streets During A National Demonstration Called "Ni Una Menos (Not One Woman Less)" To Demand Justice For All Women Victims Of Gender Crimes And In Repudiation To The Murder Of Florencia Aguirre, A Nine Year Old Girl Who Was Strangled, Burned And Buried By His Father In The City Of Coyhaique, Valparaiso, Chile, 19 October 19 2016
110points
#32 English Suffragette Annie Kenney (1879 - 1953) Is Arrested During A Demonstration
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#33 A Woman Gestures To Riot Policemen During A Protest Organized By The Rally For Culture And Democracy (Rcd), Algiers, 02 July
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108points
#34 A Woman Yells At A Man Dressed As Adolf Hitler During A Protest Of Newly Inaugurated President Donald Trump At A Women's March Saturday, Las Vegas, 21 January 2017
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101points
#35 A Woman In Buenos Aires Protests With A Sign That Says “Stop Sexist Violence”
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100points
#36 A Femen Activist, Sarah Constantin, Is Hanged From A Noose-Like Rope From A Paris Bridge To Call Attention To The Large Number Of Executions In Iran. Paris, 28 January 2016
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94points
#38 A Member Of The “Women In Black”, An International Peace Network, Lays On The Ground Wrapped In A Plastic Bag, As A Sign Of Protest In Downtown Novi Sad, Serbia, 10 December 2005
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92points
#39 A Woman Listens To A Rally With Her Mouth Taped Shut During The 'Justice For All' March In Washington, Dc, 13 December 2014
84points
#40 A Woman Stands In Front Of Police Officers As They Block Access To A Street During A Protest Against Proposed Labour Reforms In Paris, 14 June 2016
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82points