These change from time to time, depending on the news -- but for right now, these are the most popular biographies on this site. What an interesting mixture of fields, times and places!
1. Coco Chanel
Her simple elegance made fashion history -- from the "little black dress" introduced in 1926 to the Chanel suit. Her popularity waned when she had an affair with a Nazi officer during World War II but she came back in the 50s and 60s, introducing the pea jacket and bell bottom pants.2. Alice Walker
Read about this author, best known perhaps as the author of "The Color Purple," who has always also been an activist in environmental causes, feminist and womanist issues and work for economic justice.3. Elizabeth Blackwell
The first woman to earn a doctor of medicine degree, Elizabeth Blackwell was admitted to medical school only because the students, asked to vote on whether to admit a woman, thought it was a practical joke. While she earned her degree and started her career in the U.S., she soon returned to her native England to practice medicine.4. Betsy Ross
She sewed the first American flag -- maybe. But she was also an example of an American woman in revolutionary America, a widow and single mother making her way in time of war. managing property and business on her own.5. Susan B. Anthony
The most famous of the "founding mothers" of women's rights and women's suffrage movements in America, Susan B. Anthony worked as a team with her friend, Elizabeth Cady Stanton.6. Sojourner Truth
Sojourner Truth was an anti-slavery and women's rights crusader, known for her "Ain't I a Woman?" speech.7. Queen Isabella I of Spain
She ruled Castile and Aragon jointly with her husband, Ferdinand, and is known to history for sponsoring Columbus' voyage to discover the New World, expelling the Moors and Jews from Spain and as a patron of scholars and artists.8. Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the other half of the team that spearheaded the fight for woman's suffrage in America (with Susan B. Anthony), was more the intellectual thinker -- but she stayed home more than Anthony in part because Stanton was often home raising her many children. One of her daughters and one of her granddaughters followed her into leadership of the women's movement.9. Harriet Tubman
Start with this summary biography but don't miss the more complete Harriet Tubman biography, also on this site (and linked from the summary biography page). Tubman is best known for her work with the Underground Railroad, and less for her work as a spy, nurse and women's rights activist.10. Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette, the doomed Queen of France whose infamous "let them eat cake" is probably a misquote, was criticized for her spending habits and for her role in her husband's resistance of reforms.
