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Women have had hundreds upon hundreds of reasons to carry protest posters since the dawn of time, whether it was for voting rights, reproductive rights, or most recently, against sexual predators holding powerful positions. What started with the first well-organized, not so peaceful protest for suffrage in as early as 1913, is now often supported by men also, who understand that feminism and related social issues are not some evil entity, but rather thinking of women as equals. Sadly enough, ladies still have to prove their worthiness to some.
To celebrate the strength and bravery of all the women and girls who have taken to the streets, stood up for their beliefs and gender equality, and stared down anyone who tried to get in their way, we've compiled the best photos of female social activists and protesters from around the world, and they're sure to speak to your renegade soul. They might even inspire you to get a protest sign in your own hands the next time you have a chance. Be sure to vote for the most powerful ones, and let us know if you've ever committed an act of defiance for a good cause in the comments.
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#1
A Protester Holding A Sign For Women's Rights, 2017
#2
Danuta Danielsson Hitting A Neo-Nazi With Her Handbag In Växjö, Sweden, 13 April 1985
#3
Two Women Kissing During An Anti Gay Marriage Demonstration In France, 2012
#4
Kathrine Switzer Was The First Woman To Run The Boston Marathon. When Organizer Jock Semple Realised A Woman Was Running He Tried To Tackle Her, 1967
#5
A Demonstrator Faces Down A Riot Policeman During A Pro Democracy Protest In Santiago, Chile, 11 September 2016
#6
A Girl Begging The Officers Not To Use Force Against The Protesters. Bulgaria, November 2013
Zori the degu 7 years ago
Wow, this is in the center of Sofia. You can't imagine how long the protest times seemed to me. They went on for like, months, literally.
#7
A Woman Sits In Front Of Riot Police Blocking The Road To Protect Protesters During The Anti-Government Protest In Seoul, South Korea, 24 April 2015
#8
Young Pacifist Jane Rose Kasmir Planting A Flower On The Bayonets Of Guards At The Pentagon During A Protest Against The Vietnam War, 21 October 1967
#9
Maria-Teresa "Tess" Asplund Stands Up To Uniformed Demonstrators In A Nazi Demonstration In Borlänge, Sweden, 1 May 2015
#10
Gloria Richardson Pushes Away The Bayonet Of A National Guardsman During A Protest In Cambridge, Md., 1963
#11
Zakia Belkhiri Takes A Selfie At An Anti-Muslim Demonstration In Antwerp, Belgium 2016
#12
Marilyn Webb Holds Up A Sign As She Protests For Women's Rights In Front Of The Federal Trade Commission Headquarters While Policemen Look On During Richard Nixon's Inauguration Weekend, Washington, Dc, 18-21 January 1969
#13
16-Year-Old Student, Lucie Myslikova Confronting A Neo-Nazi Demonstrator
#14
Young Girl With Roller Skates Shows A Soldier In Derry She Isn’t Scared, Northern Ireland, 1969
#15
Protester Ieshia Evans Is Detained By Law Enforcement Near The Headquarters Of The Baton Rouge Police Department In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, During A Demonstration Against The Shooting Death Of Alton Sterling, 9 July 2016
#16
Polish Women Take Part In A Breastfeeding Is Not Obscene Protest In Warsaw’s Subway. In Reaction To A Ban Imposed By City Officials On An Art Project, Portraying Breastfeeding Mothers, 15 June 2011
#17
Suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst Is Arrested At A Demonstration Outside Buckingham Palace, January 1914
William Teach 7 years ago
I was wondering if some of the real old time ones would show up. I know this is in Britain, but, look up Alice Paul and the jail door pin for the U.S. Inspirational.
#18
An Israeli Woman Stands Up Against Police Brutality At A Protest In Tel-Aviv
#19
A Woman Dances In Front Of Riot Police During A Demonstration In The Kadikoy Neighborhood Of Istanbul Against The Eviction Of A Squatted Building, 9 December 2014
#20
Photo Of Saffiyah Khan Smiling At An English Defence League (Edl) Protester In Birmingham Was Snapped After She Stepped In To Defend A "Fellow Brummie"
#21
Woman Campaigning For The Vote Is Restrained By Policemen, C 1910. British Women Did Not Win Full Voting Rights Until 1928
#22
Zulaikha Patel, 13, Along With Other Schoolgirls, Protests Racist Hair Policies At Pretoria Girls High School, South Africa, 2016
Zenozenobee 7 years ago
Racism toward adult people is a shame, but against kids? really? You need to have much hate (and time to lose) to bother creating rules about hair.
#23
Feminists Are Burning Some Election Posters To Fight For Women's Suffrage. Photograph. Paris, France, 12 May 1935
#24
Woman Yelling At A Cop During An Anti-Apartheid Protest, 1981
Nadine Ducca 7 years ago
Haha! Look at her enthusiasm. Between that and the megaphone, the cop's ears must be ringing.
#25
With Blood Covering Her Hand And Arm, A Woman Points At A Police Officer In Charlotte, Nc, 21 September 2016
#26
A Woman Kneels Down And Holds Up A Feather While Facing Police Moving In To Break Up Anti-Fracking Protesters In New Brunswick, October 2013
Isabel Tamayo 7 years ago
Wow fracking... Look how far man's intelligence has come. Very disturbing.
#27
Jasmina Golubovska Kisses The Shield Of A Police Officer In Front Of The Macedonian Government Building In Skopje, 5 May 2015
#28
Woman Braves The Water Cannon In Turkey, 2013
SnoopyCereal 7 years ago
Don't those things have like... a really, really high water pressure? Ouch.
#29
Women Protested Against The Dismantling Of Policies To Confront And Care For Women Victims Of Violence In The City Of São Paulo, 10 August 2017
JillVille Child Care 7 years ago
The intensity of everything in this photo is unreal. I cannot even begin to comprehend what these women go through in their countries. I'm in Canada, I feel so spoiled. :(
#30
Indian Policemen Restrain A Tibetan Woman During A Demonstration At The Chinese Embassy. On The Occasion Of The Tibetan Women’s Uprising Day, New Delhi, 12 March 2008
#31
Feminist Activists Protest On The Streets During A National Demonstration Called "Ni Una Menos (Not One Woman Less)" To Demand Justice For All Women Victims Of Gender Crimes And In Repudiation To The Murder Of Florencia Aguirre, A Nine Year Old Girl Who Was Strangled, Burned And Buried By His Father In The City Of Coyhaique, Valparaiso, Chile, 19 October 19 2016
#32
English Suffragette Annie Kenney (1879 - 1953) Is Arrested During A Demonstration
#33
A Woman Gestures To Riot Policemen During A Protest Organized By The Rally For Culture And Democracy (Rcd), Algiers, 02 July
Agnes Jekyll 7 years ago
Look at her face, so full of humanity--the man behind the plexiglass sees it too.
#34
A Woman Yells At A Man Dressed As Adolf Hitler During A Protest Of Newly Inaugurated President Donald Trump At A Women's March Saturday, Las Vegas, 21 January 2017
Ian Carter 7 years ago
many people outside of Europe dont fully understand what Hitler symbolizes to many different groups across Europe. Its NEVER a good idea to dress like him.
Elizabott 7 years ago
That's the thing about trump voters - they don't get it, they're just uneducated bigots who want to be in on something.
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frederic eeckman 7 years ago
Let's just be clear, the guy dressed like Hitler is actually protesting against Trump, and the woman is a Trumpster ?
Clucker Chicken Cluckers 7 years ago
who knows, but it's never good to dress up like Hitler
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Pi... 7 years ago
I think they both had the same idea. Protest against the newly elected president... so...not really sure about this one.
Jennifer Barnette 6 years ago
for those of you confused, the women's march was pro-women, partially but not wholly motivated by trump's inauguration. the hitler guy was protesting the women's protest. or just there to make an a*s of himself.
Jennifer Barnette 6 years ago
i was at this one. this dude was in like... a wheelchair? or a chair chair. and had a loudspeaker blaring all this hitler b******t. get a f*****g clue dude
Deb Mohr 4 years ago
That’s exactly what I was thinking. My first thought was that an anti-Trump protester dressed as Hitler to protest Trump’s Hitleresque ways and the woman bellowing at him is a Trump supporter.
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Brinna Rhys Bell 6 years ago
I am horrified by this generalization and racist remark and the irony of this reply, Elizabeth Molloy. Fighting fire with fire is not the answer. Education, proper laws, offering programs and exit strategies for those who wish to leave the neonazi scene but are afraid to, and answering to bigotry and hatred with sound argumentation is the way. People like Daryl Davis, an admirable and brave man, have proven this time and again.
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#35
A Woman In Buenos Aires Protests With A Sign That Says “Stop Sexist Violence”
Katie Belk 4 years ago (edited)
She stands there in the rain while everyone else just moves around her. My heart hurts for her, but this is where hope is inspired.
#36
A Femen Activist, Sarah Constantin, Is Hanged From A Noose-Like Rope From A Paris Bridge To Call Attention To The Large Number Of Executions In Iran. Paris, 28 January 2016
Bisexual22 7 years ago
See what this world has come to? People killing everyone and themselves for what? Power, money, bragging rights? When is it gonna stop?
#37
Two Garment Workers Picketing, Circa 1909
#38
A Member Of The “Women In Black”, An International Peace Network, Lays On The Ground Wrapped In A Plastic Bag, As A Sign Of Protest In Downtown Novi Sad, Serbia, 10 December 2005
#39
A Woman Listens To A Rally With Her Mouth Taped Shut During The 'Justice For All' March In Washington, Dc, 13 December 2014
#40
A Woman Stands In Front Of Police Officers As They Block Access To A Street During A Protest Against Proposed Labour Reforms In Paris, 14 June 2016
#41
An Anti Government Protester Flashes A Victory Sign During The Clashes Between Protesters And Riot Police On Taksim Square In Istanbul, 22 June 2013
#42
A Palestinian Woman Argues With An Israeli Border Policeman During A Protest Against Jewish Settlements In The West Bank Village Of Nabi Saleh
Kate Szymanski 7 years ago
There's so much complication between Palestinian's relationships with not just Israel, but much of the middle east due to geography. I wouldn't see this picture as black and white as good versus bad.
#43
A Turkish Riot Policeman Uses Tear Gas As People Protest Against The Destruction Of Trees In A Park Brought About By A Pedestrian Project, In Taksim Square In Central Istanbul, 28 May 2013
#44
Masked Women Protesting Against Gender Violence During A Demonstration In Madrid For The International Day Against Gender Violence, 25 November 2015
#45
Chinese Riot Police Watch A Muslim Ethnic Uighur Woman Protest In Urumqi In China’s Far West Xinjiang Province Following A Third Day Of Unrest, 7 July 2009
Rianna Panda 7 years ago
this is Eastturkestan. China calls it Xinjiang. People of Eastturkestan called Uyghurs. The women protested there because chinese government just killed 10'000 of Uyghur Men. i think i read somewhere her Husband and son were killed.
#46
Demonstrators Remove Their Brassieres During An Anti-Bra Protest Outside A San Francisco Department Store
Susan Rappenwolf 7 years ago
I don't see a single woman watching in support, just some lustful jerks hoping for a nip-slip.
#47
Semi-Nude Indian Devadasi Women Shout Anti-Government Slogans During A Protest In Mumbai, 15 August 2010
#48
An Afro-Ecuadorean Woman Argues With Police Guarding A Fence In Front Of The National Assembly In Quito. In Protest Of A Proposed Water Privatization Law That Could Impact The Country’s Indigenous Population, 5 May 2010
#49
A Demonstrator Holds A Flower That She Says Is A Symbol Of Hope, 3 December 1999
Jasmina Wetherley 7 years ago
i was looking at her hand which she was holding up and wondering: where is the flower?
#50
A Woman Protester Waves The Victory Sign During Clashes With Military Police Near Tahrir Square, 17 January 2013
#51
Police Arrest A Demonstrator Affiliated With The Occupy Wall Street Movement After She And Fellow Protesters Attempted To Cross The Brooklyn Bridge On The Motorway. The Arrested Woman Is Seen Screaming Out Her Name To Supporters On The Pedestrian Bridge Above Who Were Recording Names Of Those Arrested. This Portion Of The Bridge Is Not Intended For Pedestrians And As The Marchers Attempted To Cross, They Were Stopped Midway By Police. Hundreds Of Protesters Were Arrested, New York City, 1 October 2011
#52
A Protest Led By Students For Justice In Palestine At The University Of Maryland, College Park, 2009
Azure Adams 7 years ago
Learn your history. The US has distorted it due to Jewish-isaerli interests
#53
A Woman Argues With Belarus Police Officers Blocking A Street During An Opposition Rally In Minsk, Belarus As Hundreds Of People Were Arrested Over Protests Against Authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko, 25 March 2017
frederic eeckman 7 years ago
I'm pretty sure she is not protesting but she just want to walk on that street...
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What do you think ?
Chayma 7 years ago
Bring tears to my eyes because all theses woman fight for their right (those they are supposed to have since day one) or for the oppressed ppl. Heroines.
christina murray 7 years ago
i thought i was the only one who reacted like that. i'm at work rn, decided to scroll thru and damn i have chills. tears welling up and all. these women, every single one of them remind me why i bother trying or believing in change
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Ed Mo 7 years ago
This is what strength & courage looks like. Never, ever underestimate the power of women.
Jon Brewer 4 years ago
I've seen the video with the Palestinian. It looks a lot worse for her when you see it as a video and not just a screenshot.
Load More Replies...
NoAssumedName 7 years ago
All I wished to see in my life time is PeaceLoveUnity&Respect that's not going to happen but I thank every woman,man and child that are fighting for what they think it's wrong in this (our) world... Peace to all ✌
Ben Smith 7 years ago
50 pictures...nearly 50 different movements. Which one are you talking about?
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Ewen Young 4 years ago
Love the sentiments of the article and photographs except you missed out arguably the most powerful women's protester photo of all time - Emily Davison, suffragette, killed by the King's horse at the 1913 Epsom Derby! I mean seriously, I'm a guy and I have to bring that to the attention of the author?
Bernadette white 2 years ago
A moment that absolutely sums up the desperation of women who wanted the vote.
Load More Replies...
Annette Magdaleno 5 years ago
Chills, RESPECT, ADMIRATION of such courageous women who are ALL my sisters. Weather one agrees with every demonstration is of no importance. These women represent all of us and the change that has given so many of us rights many take advantage of. Hope that more change will come about for the injustice that takes place around the world. God bless them.
Stefanie T 6 years ago
Standing up for what you believe in and never backing down in the face of adversity is a beautiful thing. These women are beautiful, self-empowered and strong! I admire these women and hope that their iconic images will set an example for generations to come. Because I believe everyone has the potential to be just as brave. :) Me, I am kind of wimpy - Got to work on that.
Unwelcomed Guest 7 years ago
Well 300 years ago these women would have gone to trial as a witch...makes you think
Full Name 7 years ago
What are you talking about? Saying "I want a say" was not arising suspicions that they were dabbling in the dark arts. Please explain.
Load More Replies...
Sonia Johnson 3 years ago
Thank you Geidre and Bored Panda— these photos are poignant, beautiful reminders of the work brave women of the past took on, as well as the work brave and fearless women take on today. Yes, heroines!!! 🙏
Charisse Renee 4 years ago
Portland, Oregon July 2020, a very brave woman does naked yoga in front of federal agents tear gassing and kidnapping protestors into unmarked vehicles sanctioned by the president. https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2020/07/the-story-behind-the-surreal-photos-of-portland-protester-naked-athena.html
Ava Xander 4 years ago
Not even one picture showing Muslim Women standing up against Islamic gender apartheid in Islamic countries.
Stephen Foster 4 years ago
this is the way to fight back, not to loot, or burn but to stand in silence, together, and stare them down. to show the world we are not afraid of them and more important to show the police and the govt they cannot intimidate us, we are united in our desire to change this country, we will win there are more of us than there are of them.
Ta'lor Pinkston 4 years ago
This is the Most powerful display of true feminism and protest against inequality against women and culture. Seeing these photos makes me even more proud to be a black woman.
Lavinia Petrariu 4 years ago
Check out the Romanian protests since 2012, mostly from 2017 (starting end of January), 2018 (August 10th). I know at least 2 emblematic pictures with women and children as well.
Lotus Buccola 4 years ago (edited)
Reminds me of the Women's March last year in Mobile, AL where the Anti-Abortion came in and started a force against those supporting women's rights to their own bodies and choices. Photo by Darkshi Creations WomensMarc...b3fa23.jpg 
Terry Guild 4 years ago
Anyone brave enough to give birth is pretty fearless when confronting authority.
Thomas Mittelbach 7 years ago
https://twitter.com/bbcworld/status/883278413422886912 should also be in this list
Katinka Min 7 years ago
Anti-muslim, anti-gay, anti-WOMEN, forfuckssake. It's the year 2017 and the middlegaes really feels only a stonethrow away. In many countries it still IS the middle ages.
Hans 7 years ago
Actually, I think this is much less about women (or men) but about the message: let piece and nonviolence prevail!
Türk Kahvesi 7 years ago
This compilation can be done only Turkish women. Please search on internet via "gezi parki kadinlari" then you'll make your own list.
lunagoth 7 years ago
Women are strong yet delicate. Yes girls! You don't need brute physical strength, use your inner strength, kindness, and good heart to break down any barriers!!!!
Aunt Messy 7 years ago
Get stuffed. I can carry my own weight anywhere, thanks.
Load More Replies... Lynn Smith 7 years ago
There is literally NOTHING brave about bullying women and trying to make them live by YOUR ideals. There is nothing brave about wanting to take choices away from women regarding their own bodies. "Pro-life" is b******t and everyone knows it.
Load More Replies...
Chayma 7 years ago
Bring tears to my eyes because all theses woman fight for their right (those they are supposed to have since day one) or for the oppressed ppl. Heroines.
christina murray 7 years ago
i thought i was the only one who reacted like that. i'm at work rn, decided to scroll thru and damn i have chills. tears welling up and all. these women, every single one of them remind me why i bother trying or believing in change
Load More Replies... Ed Mo 7 years ago
This is what strength & courage looks like. Never, ever underestimate the power of women.
Jon Brewer 4 years ago
I've seen the video with the Palestinian. It looks a lot worse for her when you see it as a video and not just a screenshot.
Load More Replies... NoAssumedName 7 years ago
All I wished to see in my life time is PeaceLoveUnity&Respect that's not going to happen but I thank every woman,man and child that are fighting for what they think it's wrong in this (our) world... Peace to all ✌
Ben Smith 7 years ago
50 pictures...nearly 50 different movements. Which one are you talking about?
Load More Replies... Ewen Young 4 years ago
Love the sentiments of the article and photographs except you missed out arguably the most powerful women's protester photo of all time - Emily Davison, suffragette, killed by the King's horse at the 1913 Epsom Derby! I mean seriously, I'm a guy and I have to bring that to the attention of the author?
Bernadette white 2 years ago
A moment that absolutely sums up the desperation of women who wanted the vote.
Load More Replies... Annette Magdaleno 5 years ago
Chills, RESPECT, ADMIRATION of such courageous women who are ALL my sisters. Weather one agrees with every demonstration is of no importance. These women represent all of us and the change that has given so many of us rights many take advantage of. Hope that more change will come about for the injustice that takes place around the world. God bless them.
Stefanie T 6 years ago
Standing up for what you believe in and never backing down in the face of adversity is a beautiful thing. These women are beautiful, self-empowered and strong! I admire these women and hope that their iconic images will set an example for generations to come. Because I believe everyone has the potential to be just as brave. :) Me, I am kind of wimpy - Got to work on that.
Unwelcomed Guest 7 years ago
Well 300 years ago these women would have gone to trial as a witch...makes you think
Full Name 7 years ago
What are you talking about? Saying "I want a say" was not arising suspicions that they were dabbling in the dark arts. Please explain.
Load More Replies... Sonia Johnson 3 years ago
Thank you Geidre and Bored Panda— these photos are poignant, beautiful reminders of the work brave women of the past took on, as well as the work brave and fearless women take on today. Yes, heroines!!! 🙏
Charisse Renee 4 years ago
Portland, Oregon July 2020, a very brave woman does naked yoga in front of federal agents tear gassing and kidnapping protestors into unmarked vehicles sanctioned by the president. https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2020/07/the-story-behind-the-surreal-photos-of-portland-protester-naked-athena.html
Ava Xander 4 years ago
Not even one picture showing Muslim Women standing up against Islamic gender apartheid in Islamic countries.
Stephen Foster 4 years ago
this is the way to fight back, not to loot, or burn but to stand in silence, together, and stare them down. to show the world we are not afraid of them and more important to show the police and the govt they cannot intimidate us, we are united in our desire to change this country, we will win there are more of us than there are of them.
Ta'lor Pinkston 4 years ago
This is the Most powerful display of true feminism and protest against inequality against women and culture. Seeing these photos makes me even more proud to be a black woman.
Lavinia Petrariu 4 years ago
Check out the Romanian protests since 2012, mostly from 2017 (starting end of January), 2018 (August 10th). I know at least 2 emblematic pictures with women and children as well.
Lotus Buccola 4 years ago (edited)
Reminds me of the Women's March last year in Mobile, AL where the Anti-Abortion came in and started a force against those supporting women's rights to their own bodies and choices. Photo by Darkshi Creations WomensMarc...b3fa23.jpg
Terry Guild 4 years ago
Anyone brave enough to give birth is pretty fearless when confronting authority.
Thomas Mittelbach 7 years ago
https://twitter.com/bbcworld/status/883278413422886912 should also be in this list
Katinka Min 7 years ago
Anti-muslim, anti-gay, anti-WOMEN, forfuckssake. It's the year 2017 and the middlegaes really feels only a stonethrow away. In many countries it still IS the middle ages.
Hans 7 years ago
Actually, I think this is much less about women (or men) but about the message: let piece and nonviolence prevail!
Türk Kahvesi 7 years ago
This compilation can be done only Turkish women. Please search on internet via "gezi parki kadinlari" then you'll make your own list.
lunagoth 7 years ago
Women are strong yet delicate. Yes girls! You don't need brute physical strength, use your inner strength, kindness, and good heart to break down any barriers!!!!
Aunt Messy 7 years ago
Get stuffed. I can carry my own weight anywhere, thanks.
Load More Replies... Lynn Smith 7 years ago
There is literally NOTHING brave about bullying women and trying to make them live by YOUR ideals. There is nothing brave about wanting to take choices away from women regarding their own bodies. "Pro-life" is b******t and everyone knows it.
Load More Replies...
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