Have you heard of these disabled women who made history?

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Have you heard of these disabled women who made history?

Take our quiz and test your knowledge on these trailblazers!

This incredible British suffragette overcame polio as a child which meant she used a wheelchair. Despite clashes with the police, she fearlessly participated in demonstrations, using a tricycle. Who is she?

Her determination to fight for women’s rights is truly inspiring. In 1910, she participated in a demonstration at the Houses of Parliament, which became known as Black Friday due to police violence. The police made attempts to restrict Rosa’s mobility and stop her from protesting. But she didn’t give up – she attended the next demonstration, and this time, she used her tricycle as a battering ram to help her fellow suffragettes past police lines.

Emmeline Pankhurst

Rosa May Billinghurst

Lady Constance Bulwer-Lytton

This brave British Muslim hero served as a spy in Nazi-occupied France during WW2, becoming the first female wireless operator to be deployed in enemy territory. Who is she?

Noor Inayat Khan bravely sent messages as a wireless operator, crucially linking occupied territory and London during WW2. Her style of tapping out morse code was regarded as unique, as her fingers were permanently swollen from chilblains due to a circulatory condition. She was posthumously awarded the George Cross, the UK's highest civilian decoration.

Noor Inayat Khan

Violet Szabo

Odette Hallowes

This world-famous Mexican artist is celebrated for her surrealist art and iconic self-portraits, but many don’t know her paintings often tell bold stories of her journey navigating disability. Who is she?

The image below is one of the first paintings this artist ever sold.

Frida Kahlo faced challenges from birth – she was born with spina bifida and later experienced childhood polio, both of which meant she needed extra support moving around. Determined to beat the odds, she took up a variety of sports, like boxing. At 18, a bus accident left her with injuries, leading her to take up painting during recovery.

Yayoi Kusama

Carmen Lomas Garza

Frida Kahlo

This exceptional British Paralympic athlete, who has cerebral palsy, is a 7-time paralympic champion and 14-time world champion in wheelchair racing. Who is she?

Born on 30 July 1992, Hannah faced two heart attacks in the first 24 hours of her life and has since showed remarkable resilience. In 2012, she became the first Paralympian to break a world record in the 100 meters T34 at the London Olympic Stadium. And she's been winning medals around the world ever since.

Sarah Storey

Jessica Jane Applegate

Hannah Cockroft

Kadeena Cox

This English actress, comedian and international disability rights activist once said ‘Some women brag about still being able to fit into their wedding dress. Well, I can still fit into my Brownie uniform.’ Who is she?

After finishing university with a law degree, Liz volunteered at a law centre, campaigning for civil rights for disabled people in the UK and around the world. She later tapped into the comedy scene, where she candidly talks about living with a rare joint condition and uses humour to raise awareness. You might know her best from her recurring role on the BBC crime thriller 'Silent Witness.'

Sarah Gordy

Liz Carr

Cherylee Houston

This American Paralympian, excelling in sprinting and long jump, shot to stardom and became one of the world’s first disabled models when she opened for Alexander McQueen’s runway in 1999. Who is she?

The image below are of the uniquely carved prosthetic legs worn by the model to open Alexander McQueen's fashion show in London.

Born with a medical condition, Aimee had both legs amputated below the knee, and walking with prosthetic legs by age 2. Breaking barriers, she became the first amputee to compete against able-bodied athletes in US college sport events. Aimee started modelling in London, where her height could vary from 5 ft 8 to 6 ft 1. As well as becoming the face of L’Oréal Paris, Aimee went on to be featured in publications like Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Vogue and many more.

Aimee Mullins

Melissa Stockwell

Sophie Morgan

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