Contents Introduction 3 1 Best All-Around Queen Elizabeth I 4 2 Most Diplomatic Nanye’hi 6 3 Most Persuasive Princess Pingyang 8 4 Most Supportive Queen Charlotte 10 5 Most Athletic Eleanor Roosevelt 12 6 Most Determined Catherine the Great 14 7 Most Talented Queen Liliuokalani 16 8 Go-Getter Cleopatra 18 9 Heart of Gold Eva Perón 20 10 Most Involved Shirley Chisholm 22 11 Most Courageous Benazir Bhutto 24 12 Life of the Party Marie Antoinette 26 Your Turn 30 Consider This 31 Glossary 31 Index 31 2
Introduction We are celebrating girl leaders Leaders take charge They’re trailblazers Trailblazers make things happen They do things first They do things in a new way Girl leaders include rulers They include politicians Politicians serve the government They run in elections Elections are when people vote for representatives But it’s not easy being a girl leader Some people think that women shouldn’t lead Throughout history women have shown that they’re tough They’re smart They’re strong The girl leaders in this book rise to the top They paved the way for today’s girl leaders You don’t have to lead a nation or a business to be a leader You can still be a leader Speak up Go after what you want But also take time to listen to others Be a problem solver Here’s to you and all the girl leaders in our lives 3
4 chapter 1 BEST ALL AROUND Queen Elizabeth I
Though the sex to which I belong is considered weak you will nevertheless find me a rock that bends to no wind Queen Elizabeth I The Best All-Around award goes to Elizabeth I Elizabeth I lived from 1533 to 1603 She was Queen of England and Ireland She never married She said she was married to her country Her rule was called the Golden Age She was one of the most powerful rulers ever She defeated the Spanish army She changed England for the better She brought peace She expanded England by exploring other lands She also supported the arts She loved clothes She loved plays She loved dances She spoke several languages She was educated She was also athletic She hunted She rode horses She did it all 5
