In Her Footsteps

Monuments and memorials abound for men, but the folks at Lonely Planet have gathered together sites, museums, and landmarks that are dedicated to amazing women. Although the entries are brief—each is only between one half and two pages in length—the inclusiveness of the entries is the strength of this alternative travel guide. Divided into sections that highlight activists, artists, pathbreakers, and icons, over 250 inspiring women and their contributions to society are gathered here. From young women such as Somali-born Amal Azzudin, members of the feminist protest rock band Pussy Riot, 16-year-old environmental activist Greta Thunberg, to the first woman pharaoh Hatshepsut, the Indian mystic Meerabai, and Murasaki Shikibu, author of The Tale of Genji, this guide documents women of influence from all walks of life around the world. It doesn’t gloss over actions influenced by the times these women lived in, like suffrage, political pressures, or gender identity. Included are athletes, spies, adventurers, pirates, scientists, and advocates for indigenous peoples.