Sarah Mullally, 63, has been named the first woman ever to serve as Archbishop of Canterbury, a historic shift in the Church of England’s 1,400-year legacy. Formerly Bishop of London and ex-Chief Nursing Officer of England, she faces key challenges including divisions over LGBTQ rights, restoring trust after abuse scandals, and declining church attendance. Her appointment on October 3, confirmed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles III, is seen as a milestone while also drawing criticism from conservative Anglican factions worldwide.
It's hard to imagine a time when women couldn’t be doctors, diplomats, pilots, and a number of other professionals. But these achievements are relatively recent and were hard-won by women, who faced a great deal of opposition from a patriarchal society designed to work against them. Despite facing adversity, there are plenty of trailblazers who made history by becoming the first women in their professions.
Click through the gallery to meet the other women who broke down barriers.