It’s not a secret that throughout history, women were often told they could not do the same jobs that men do – that they could not perform them. However, brave women all around the world have proved them wrong and have excelled in man-dominated fields countless times. And they still continue to do so. These amazing women have shown the world that they can be just as successful, just as innovative, and just as clever as any man (and often much more). In fact, their portfolios are truly enviable. Are you intrigued yet? Then let’s take a look at women who proved they can outdo men.
Rosalind Franklin, 37: Chemist – Contributions to the Understanding of DNA
English chemist and X-ray crystallographer Rosalind Franklin is first on this list. This remarkable woman contributed to the understanding of the molecular structures of DNA. The sad fact is that her contributions to this field were mostly recognized posthumously. But this doesn’t change the fact that she was one of the most remarkable women in history. She became well-known for her work on the X-ray diffraction images of DNA. Rosalind succumbed to a number of lingering illnesses like bronchopneumonia and secondary carcinomatosis in 1958. She was only 37 years old.
Chien-Shiung Wu, 84: Experimental Physicist – Contributions in the Field of Nuclear Physics
Here’s another remarkable woman – the American-Chinese physicist who became known for her contributions to nuclear physics. Chien-Shiung Wu, who took up mathematics and physics at Nanjing University, was a member of the famous Manhattan Project and was responsible for helping develop the method for splitting uranium metal into uranium-235 as well as uranium-238 isotopes. But she will always famous for the Wu experiment which won her the Nobel Prize in Physics. The amazing Wu is often compared to Marie Curie and even sometimes referred to as “the Chinese Madame Curie.” She died in 1997 at the age of 84.
Margaret Keane, 92: Painter – Known for her subjects with ‘Big Eyes’
Unlike the previous remarkable women, artist Margaret Keane is still alive and doing what she does best and that is painting. Margaret is 92 and most famous for painting subjects with big eyes. Keane mostly paints women, children or animals. Margaret’s work was initially credited as her husband’s, Walter Keane. She later claimed credit for her works after the couple got a divorce. Thanks to Tim Burton’s 2014 Big Eyes biopic, there is an increased interest in Margaret’s work. Keane has a gallery in San Francisco.
Jocelyn Bell Burnell, 75: Astrophysicist -Discovery of Pulsars
In 2018, the 75-year-old Jocelyn Bell Burnell finally got recognition and won a $3-million breakthrough prize in Fundamental Physics for her 1967 discovery of pulsars. It was about time Jocelyn received proper recognition for her knowledge and her leadership since the discovery. The discovery was actually recognized before, in 1974 and was honored with a Nobel Prize but unfortunately, Jocelyn was excluded from it even though she was the first to have identified the pulsars. Bell’s work is credited as one of the greatest scientific achievements of the 20th century.
Lise Meitner, 89: Physicist – Contribution to the Discovery of Nuclear Fission
This list would definitely not be complete without Lise Meitner, the late Swedish-Austrian physicist. Meitner worked in the fields of radioactivity and nuclear physics. She, along with scientists Otto Robert Frisch and Otto Hahn, led the team that first found out about nuclear fission. This process was the basis of the US nuclear weaponry that was later developed and used in World War II. Unfortunately, only Otto Hahn received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1944. Lise dedicated most of her career to education and worked as a physics professor. Meitner died in 1968 at the age of 89.
Julia Roberts, 51: Actress & Producer – Starred in Pretty Woman
When you hear the name of Julia Roberts, do you think of Pretty Woman, too? Well, of course, you do since it’s one of her most famous films which grossed $464 million by the way. Roberts is definitely a household name. She has received an Academy Award for her role on Erin Brockovich and has also been nominated for an Oscar on three more occasions. When it comes to her earnings, she is one of the most successful actresses in Hollywood. The Mona Lisa Smile star has been named the world’s most beautiful woman five times by People magazine.
Nettie Stevens, 50: Geneticist – Credited For the Discovery of X and Y Chromosomes
Before Nettie Stevens discovered the X and Y chromosomes, no one knew why some babies were female and some male. Thanks to this geneticist, we now understand that. Nettie graduated at Westford Academy and was near the top of her class just like her sister. She then pursued a Ph.D. and soon wrote a paper that would win her $1K for the best scientific paper that a woman wrote. But unfortunately, like so many women before, Stevens was not recognized for her discovery of said chromosomes at the time. Instead, only her colleague Wilson was credited.
Alison Goldblum: Property Developer – Became a Leading Figure in Property Development
Here’s another proof that women can certainly succeed in man-dominated fields. Alison Goldblum, for example, is a property developer and a very successful one, too! She is a licensed and experienced broker who selects properties in neighborhoods that have potential. She is then involved in every step of the renovation process, working closely with the team of architects and engineers. She is there to monitor the construction of a site from start to finish. Besides her busy career, Alison is also a wife and a mother. She is married to Josh Goldblum who is the founder of a digital agency.
Mindy Gabriel: Firefighter – Saving Lives
We could not possibly leave Mindy Gabriel out of this list. Mindy is a brave woman who decided to become a firefighter in her town of Upper Arlington, Ohio. In a YouTube video, Mindy spoke about her job and pointed out that firefighters are also medical providers since about 80% of their work is medical. Mindy herself has also been trained as a firefighter and a paramedic so that she can help people injured in fires and other accidents. Gabriel must have experienced some very dangerous situations in her career and it’s all in order to help people. We applaud her!
Angelina Jolie, 43: Actress, Filmmaker, Humanitarian – Promotes Various Causes
We all know her as part of the Brangelina couple that split in 2016. But Angelina is a truly remarkable woman who has achieved a lot in her career. She is known for her humanitarian efforts as well as promoting various causes such as education and women’s rights and her advocacy on behalf of refugees. Jolie has received a Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award and has adopted three kids. She also gave birth to three children during her marriage to Brad Pitt. She is currently working on several upcoming projects, including Maleficent II.
Nancy Poli: Pig Farmer – The Only Known Female Pig Farmer
Speaking of powerful women who dominated the otherwise man-dominated fields, we cannot leave out Nancy Poli. Nancy is a pig farmer working at Stryker Farms in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania. Animal care seems to be in her blood and with her occupation and her fearlessness, Nancy definitely makes you rethink the stereotypes. She’s one living proof that not only can a woman do a “man’s job“ but she can be pretty good at it, too. We must say, Nancy, is just as brave as the previous woman on our list for pursuing a career that is considered to be reserved for men only.
Sadie Samuels: Lobster Fisherman – A Fisherman By Heart and In Deed
This young fearless woman is Sadie Samuels, the lobster fisherman who loves the ocean and her boat the Must be Nice above everything. We’ve had the chance to see the short documentary filmed about Sadie on her boat in Rockport, Maine, in which she spoke about her passion. Sadie said that whenever she feels stressed out, she goes and sits by the ocean and listens to the waves. She loves the ocean so much that she decided to earn money for a living by fishing. Sadie started going fishing in order to spend time with her father. Before she knew it, she became a fisherman, too.
Christina Burris: Brewer – Became a Prominent Figure in the Brewing Business
How many women do you know with a career in brewing? If you thought brewing is only for men, then think again. With a good business plan and skills, you can achieve anything! Christina Burris is definitely one of the women who makes all the stereotypes about women’s job and man’s job ridiculous. Christina is a brewer and Ops Manager of Philadelphia based St. Benjamin’s Brewing. Christina and Tim Patton are the owners of the brewery and were the only two employees back when they first started the business. These two have since made their startup grow and now run a successful brewery.
Danica Patrick, 36: Former Professional Racing Driver – Most Successful Woman in Open-Wheel Racing
We cannot speak about brave, powerful women without mentioning Danica Patrick as well. Danica is the most successful woman in the history of American open-wheel racing! The former professional racing driver officially retired in 2018 after competing in 2018 Daytona 500. Her remarkable career is marked by multiple firsts for women in auto racing, including the only win by a woman in an IndyCar Series race. Danica is also a philanthropist and promotes living a lifestyle that is healthy. She has also been involved in raising awareness of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Ronda Rousey, 32: Professional Wrestler – The First Female Fighter to be Inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame
The 32-year-old Ronda Rousey is a professional wrestler, actress, author, and MMA athlete. In 2008, she became the first American female athlete to earn a judo Olympic medal, when she won a bronze. In 2018, she began her professional wrestling career and is currently signed to WWE performing on the Raw brand. The fearless Ronda became the first woman ever to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. On top of it all, she has also appeared in several movies such as The Expendables 3 and Mile 22.
Heather Marold Thomason: Butcher – Dedicated to Sustainable Meat Production
There are not many women in her field who are so dedicated to what they do. Heather Marold Thomason is a butcher and founder of Primal Supply Meats, a company she founded in 2016 in Philadelphia, PA. She is also the director of Eat Retreat and a person who is dedicated to sustainable meat production. Heather has more than proved that she can dominate this field too and be a very skilled butcher. Before she decided on financing a business of her own, she was working as a successful graphic designer but left it to become a butcher.
Beth Beverly: Taxidermist – Became a Famous Taxidermist
Beth Beverly is a licensed taxidermist who graduated at the Institute of Taxidermy. Beverly believes that taxidermy is both an art and a covetable fashion and she has the skills to prove that. You might think that this is an unusual occupation but Beth couldn’t care less about your stereotypes. When she sees a dead animal, she makes an extravagant hat! It’s as simple as that. Beth was featured in prominent newspapers such as The New York Times and several other publications. Her work has also been exhibited in art galleries.
Mira Nakashima, 77: Woodworker – Contributions to Craft Furniture
Mira Nakashima is the daughter of the well-known woodworker George Nakashima and she made a name for herself following in the footsteps of her renowned father. Mira is also a woodworker and her work was featured in the Architectural Digest in the summer of 2018. Her walnut table and chair were sold for a record $150K, which was the highest amount that Mira ever received for her work. Mira is clearly talented for craft furniture and is continuing the heritage of her father. Her stunning works frequently appear at auctions.
Shana Power, 26: MMA Fighter – Fighting Stereotypes
Are you ready for more amazing women? Here comes another one! Shana Power is a 26-year-old MMA fighter from Johannesburg, South Africa. Shana knows what it’s like to be a woman in a man-dominated world and she isn’t afraid to show us what she knows. She is a professional fighter, a business owner, and a coach who has been fighting gender stereotypes her entire life. She was always the only girl in the team but that didn’t stop her from opening the first female soccer team at her school. She got a diploma in fitness and is now an inspiration to girls everywhere.
Wendy Lawrence, 59: Engineer – First Female Graduate of the US Naval Academy to Fly in Space
This 59-year-old lady has achieved a lot in her career. Wendy B. Lawrence is an engineer, a retired United States Navy Captain, and a former NASA astronaut. Did you know that Wendy was the first female graduate of the United States Naval Academy to fly in the space? Well, she is! And that’s not all. Wendy has also visited the Russian Space Station and was the first mission specialist on STS-114 which launched in 2005. It was the first flight after the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in 2003. Aside from being a former astronaut, Lawrence also knows how to fly a helicopter.
Elizabeth Magie, 82: Game Designer – Invented The Landlord’s Game
It was this brilliant woman, Elizabeth Magie, who invented the first version of the game that later became known as Monopoly. It was called The Landlord’s Game and the game was meant to illustrate teachings of the economist, Henry George. Magie was a Georgist herself as well as a poet, comedian, stage actress, and news reporter. The game was not patented until 1904 and a number of similar games soon appeared that included buying and selling a property, just like in The Landlord’s Game. Her role as the inventor of the popular game Monopoly was not uncovered during her lifetime.
Margaret Knight, 76: Inventor – Invented the Flat-Bottomed Paper Bag
You know the flat-bottomed paper bags we use? Margaret Knight was the lady who invented those! Born in 1838, Margaret received basic education and left school early to work at a cotton mill with her siblings. At the age of 12, she made her first discovery and it was a safety device for the loom. In 1868, she invented the machine that formed the flat-bottomed paper bags we know today. But before she had the chance to patent it, Charles Annan had stolen the design and patented the device. She filed a lawsuit in 1871 and won.
Gal Gadot, 33: Actress & Model – Starred inWonder Woman
You all know this actress and beauty pageant titleholder, Gal Gadot. Gadot was crowned Miss Israel in 2004 and began her modeling and acting career after that. She is currently best known for her role as Wonder Woman in the DC Extended Universe starting from Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. This was followed by the 2017 Wonder Woman which made her internationally famous and subject of celebrity news. Gal was included in the list of 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2018. She is set to reprise her role in the 2020 Wonder Woman 1984.
Melissa McCarthy, 48: Actress, Writer, Producer, Fashion Designer – Starred in Mike & Molly
Melissa Mccarthy proved that she can excel in many fields. She is an actress, writer, comedian, producer, and fashion designer who received two primetime Emmy awards. She was likewise nominated for two Academy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards, among others. Melissa is known for her roles on Gilmore Girls, Samantha Who? and Mike & Molly. She also starred in the comedy Bridesmaids and was nominated for multiple awards for her performance. McCarthy was reportedly the second-highest-paid actress in the world in 2016. She received her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2015.
Cate Blanchett, 49: Actress & Theater Director – Received Two Academy Awards
When we think about acclaimed Hollywood stars, we cannot skip on mentioning Cate Blanchett, the actress and theater director who received many accolades. Cate is the recipient of two Academy Awards and as of 2018, she is one of the highest-paid actresses in the world. It’s easy to be making money when you are as talented as she is! It’s hard to name all of her notable roles though! Cate portrayed Elizabeth I of England in the 1998 movie Elizabeth. She is also known for her roles on The Lords of the Rings trilogy as well as on The Hobbit trilogy.
Mila Kunis, 35: Actress – Starred in Friends with Benefits
We became fans of Mila Kunis back when she was just a teenager in the sitcom, That ’70s Show. The interesting fact is that Mila actually lied about her age to get the role. She was 14 at the time while the actor was required to be at least 18. She cleverly said she would be 18 but didn’t specify when. She later transitioned to film and is known for roles on Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Max Payne. Besides a successful career, Kunis is also a mother and a wife. She is married to actor and co-star Ashton Kutcher and they are parents to two kids.
Reese Witherspoon, 42: Actress, Producer, Entrepreneur – Extensive Charity Work
Reese Witherspoon is another one of those powerful women who can do anything they set their minds to. She is an actress, a producer, and an entrepreneur. The Legally Blonde film series brought her widespread recognition in the early 2000s while she received an Academy Award for her performance in 2005 Walk the Line. In 2018, she excelled in the science fantasy adventure A Wrinkle in Time. Reese owns a production company as well as a clothing company and is also involved in charity work. Honestly, Reese, how do you manage to do it all?
Jennifer Lawrence, 28: Actress – Starred in The Hunger Games
The young actress, Jenifer Lawrence, rose to fame so quickly that she is now able to afford an $8-million deluxe house that she lives in. She gained recognition as Katniss Everdeen on The Hunger Games film series. This role helped her become the highest-grossing action heroine ever. The 28-year-old Lawrence became the second-youngest winner of an Academy Award, thanks to her performance in 2012 Silver Linings Playbook. An outspoken feminist, she has founded the Jennifer Lawrence Foundation and is a supporter of Planned Parenthood. Recently, she starred in the 2018 spy thriller film, Red Sparrow.
Jennifer Aniston, 50: Actress, Producer, Businesswoman – Starred in Friends
Regardless of the roles that she plays now, we will always remember her as Rachel Green from the universally popular sitcom, Friends. Jennifer Aniston and her co-stars eventually began earning $1 million per episode! After the show had ended in 2004, she began appearing in different movies and gradually built up a net worth of $240 million. This astonishing woman turned 50 but is just as beautiful and young-looking as she was during the show. Anniston has her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as well as her wax figure at Madame Tussauds in Orlando, Florida.
Scarlett Johansson, 34: Actress & Singer – Starred in Avengers
Scarlett Johansson is another actress among the group that doubtlessly dominate the entertainment world. Actress and singer, Scarlett is the highest-paid actress in the world! She stated that she had always wanted to become an actress and she is the living proof that if you work hard, you can make your dreams come true. She made her film debut in 1994 and now she is an acclaimed actress with multiple awards. Her performances in movies Lost in Translation and Girl with a Pearl Earring were honored with nominations for Golden Globe Awards. Scarlett also supports various charity causes.
Serena Williams, 37: Inspires Women -Tennis Player with the Most Grand Slam Titles
One of the world’s best female tennis players, Serena Williams is definitely a role model for many young girls. In the harsh world where we’re often told we can’t do this or that, Serena has shown us that she can be anything she wants. She holds the most Grand Slam titles among active players and she is a mother and a wife. Serena was ranked No.1 by the Women’s Tennis Association on eight separate occasions since 2002. Serena and her sister Venus have won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles together and are unbeaten in the category.
Angelique Kerber, 31: Tennis Player -Former World No.1
In the 2019 Australian Open, Angelique Kerber defeated several other players and won her 100th win in Grand Slam tournaments. Angelique is a former world No.1 female tennis player who won three Grand Slam tournaments. She began her professional tennis career in 2003. In 2016, Kerber represented her country, Germany, at the Rio Olympics and won a silver medal. As of February 2019, Angelique is ranked as world No.6. She has signed endorsement deals with Adidas and Yonex, her clothing and racquet sponsors, respectively. So far, Angelique’s earnings amount to $30 million.
Eugenie Bouchard, 25: Tennis Player – The First Canadian Female Tennis Player to be Ranked in Top 5
Canadian professional tennis player Eugenie Bouchard deserves her spot on this list. Eugenie was named WTA Newcomer of the Year after she won the 2012 Wimbledon girl’s title. In the 2014 Wimbledon Championships, she became the first Canadian–born player to represent Canada and reach the finals. She also became the first Canadian female player to be ranked among the top 5 in singles. Bouchard is only 25 years old and has already earned a net worth of $6 million. She has signed a 10-year partnership with Aviva Canada in 2015.