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International Women’s Day is more than a date in the calendar — it’s a celebration of courage, resilience and the women who refused to accept limits.
For centuries, travel was seen as a man’s pursuit. Exploration, aviation, adventure journalism — these were worlds women were often barred from entering. Yet time and again, remarkable women stepped forward, challenged convention, and reshaped the future of travel for everyone.
From record-breaking aviators to globe-circling cyclists, these pioneers didn’t just explore the world — they expanded it.
Here are some of the extraordinary women whose journeys changed history.
Amelia Earhart
First Woman to Fly Solo Across the Atlantic Ocean
In 1932, Amelia Earhart made history by becoming the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. At a time when aviation itself was still in its infancy — and women were rarely seen in cockpits — this achievement was nothing short of revolutionary.
But Earhart’s legacy goes far beyond a single flight. She became a global symbol of bold ambition, encouraging women to pursue careers in aviation, engineering and exploration. She didn’t just take to the skies — she lifted expectations of what women could achieve.
Isabella Bird
First Woman Inducted into the Royal Geographical Society
In 1891, Isabella Bird broke institutional barriers by becoming the first woman elected to the Royal Geographical Society.
Despite suffering from chronic illness and insomnia, Bird travelled extensively across Japan, India, Persia, Korea, and the Rocky Mountains. Often travelling alone — an extraordinary act in the 19th century — she documented cultures and landscapes with vivid detail, helping to broaden Western understanding of the world.
Her life proves that resilience can carry you across continents.
Bessie Coleman
First African American Woman to Earn a Pilot’s Licence
Born in 1892 in Atlanta, Texas, Bessie Coleman faced both racial and gender discrimination when she attempted to enrol in American flying schools. Refusing to accept rejection, she learned French, travelled to France, and earned her pilot’s licence in 1921 — becoming the first African American woman and first Native American person to do so.
With support from newspaper publisher Robert Sengstacke Abbott, she overcame systemic barriers and returned to the United States as a celebrated aviator.
Coleman’s determination paved the runway for generations of diverse women in aviation.
Mary Kingsley
Trailblazer in African Exploration
Born in 1862, Mary Kingsley defied Victorian expectations by travelling extensively through West Africa — often alone.
She navigated dense forests, encountered wildlife at close quarters, and documented her journeys with intellectual curiosity and cultural respect. At a time when few European women travelled beyond their home country, Kingsley immersed herself in African societies and challenged the stereotypes of her era.
Her travels reshaped perspectives and demonstrated that exploration was not defined by gender.
Annie Londonderry
First Woman to Bicycle Around the World
In 1894, Annie Londonderry (born Annie Kopchovsky) set out on a challenge that many thought impossible: to cycle around the world.
Fifteen months and nearly 15,000 miles later, she completed her journey — becoming the first woman to circumnavigate the globe by bicycle. Along the way, she embraced sponsorship, self-promotion and independence in ways that were remarkably modern.
Every turn of her bicycle wheels pushed against the idea that women lacked endurance or courage. She proved the opposite.
Nellie Bly
First Journalist to Travel Around the World in Under 80 Days
In 1889, investigative journalist Nellie Bly set out to beat the fictional record of Phileas Fogg from Around the World in Eighty Days. She completed her real-life journey in just 72 days.
Travelling solo at a time when women were discouraged from venturing far from home, Bly’s achievement was both a journalistic triumph and a cultural milestone. Her journey demonstrated that women could move freely, think independently, and compete on a global stage.
She didn’t just report on the world — she raced around it.
Why Their Stories Still Matter Today
These women didn’t have the conveniences of modern travel. There were no online bookings, no GPS, and no social media communities for support. What they did have was determination.
Their achievements opened doors — not just in aviation and exploration, but in the broader idea that travel is for everyone.
Today, more women than ever explore solo, build travel businesses, pilot aircraft, and document their adventures. That freedom was built on foundations laid by pioneers like these.
International Women’s Day is a moment to celebrate how far we’ve come — and to recognise the courage it took to get here. Every journey we take today is possible thanks to someone who dared to take the first step.