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Real life heroinesComic books would have us believe that heroes are created by some or other freak accident involving radio-active substances or genetically engineered spiders.
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Or perhaps, if you’re lucky, your parents are awesome aliens that banish you to earth in a bid save the last remaining heir to their royal lineage. Even if the hero is human they’d be sure to have gorgeous hair and dazzling good looks because god forbid the saving of mankind is left to an ‘average’ looking person with issues like sweating and pimples!
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This notion is emphasized until it seems that the only way to be a hero is if you are preferably male and not human at all. *Sigh*
Well, I beg to differ! Click to see some women who put the estrogen back into heroics without the advantage of supernatural powers.
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Sara Saartjie BaartmanShe was exhibited in London for her ‘gifted assets’ and ridiculed for the same reason, yet the Hottentot Venus has without a doubt been an icon for women everywhere. As a result The Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children was created in her honour.Superman can’t claim to protect from beyond the grave like Sara can. Ha!
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“Wathint'Abafazi Wathint'imbokodo!” - “When you strike a woman, you strike a rock.” Decades later we still commemorate the 20 000 who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 against harsh Apartheid laws. These heroines of the struggle proved that women don’t need to be faster than a speeding bullet to make a difference with their silent footsteps impacting the lives of fellow South Africans for years to come.
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Antjie Krog
As a renowned poet and academic writer, Antjie has made a name for herself in South Africa. Currently a Professor at the University of the Western Cape she also was the Director of the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation from 1995 to 2000. Given her talents for writing she proves that words can be mightier than the sword.
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Pregs Govender
The author of Love and Courage is well known for herbeing an active feminist. She is the Deputy chair person of the South African Human Rights Commission by day, and an independent writer by night. This beauty has many abilities that could outshine superman’s laser vision!
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Rosa Parks
The first lady of civil rights in America started the first of many demonstrations by taking a bus ride and refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger. She later became an international icon of resistance to racial segregation.
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Maya Angelou
She Knows Why he caged bird sings and could tell you a couple of things about The heart of a woman. She has published six autobiographies, five books of essays and several books of poetry. Now that’s a mouthful. Like Maya said…
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“How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!”
So true. These women of ambition are almost forgotten, especially by our younger generation of women – who, it seems, would rather reenact Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Britney spears than strive to keep the true spirit of womanhood alive.
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I am not saying that these stars are horrible role models at all – in fact, they have done some good. What I am saying is that we should never forget the heroines of our generation and those passed, and should strive to be like them every day.
Words by: Gadeeja Abbas
Images: Getty But, those are only my thoughts. What do you think?
Click on the thumbnail above to view the larger image.