Laskarina Bouboulina

A Greek naval commander and heroine of the War of Independence, defying gender roles to lead fleets against the Ottoman Empire.

Laskarina Bouboulina (1771–1825) was a trailblazing figure in the Greek War of Independence against Ottoman rule. After inheriting her husband's fortune, she secretly built a fleet, including the warship Agamemnon, and funded revolutionary activities.

In 1821, Bouboulina led naval assaults on Ottoman-held Nauplio and Monemvasia, becoming the only woman granted the rank of Admiral. She participated in blockades and battles, often rallying troops with speeches. Her defiance of traditional gender roles made her a symbol of resistance, though she faced opposition from male leaders.

Bouboulina's legacy is celebrated in Greece, with statues and streets named in her honor. Her life inspired novels and the 1959 film Bouboulina, though her story remains less known globally. She was assassinated in 1825 during a family feud, but her courage reshaped perceptions of women's capabilities in warfare.