Visible Roots
Editor's Note
Welcome to the 9th issue of Visible Roots, the global magazine of The International School of Dakar! Home to an amazing collective of over 100 nationalities, we deeply value our school's global culture.
Saturday, March 8th is International Women’s Day! In this edition, we celebrate the incredible achievements, resilience, and contributions of women across the world. This edition is dedicated to the voices, stories, and triumphs of women who have shaped history and those who continue to break barriers today.
We also encourage you to look back through our previous editions, where we have highlighted extraordinary women from many backgrounds, from trailblazing activists to groundbreaking scientists, fearless artists to visionary leaders Their stories remind us that progress is built on the collective courage of those who dared to dream, fight, and inspire Let’s continue learning, celebrating, and supporting women everywhere!
-Cecê Ovelar
A fierce and strategic ruler in the 17th century, Queen Nzinga resisted Portuguese colonization and defended her people against the transatlantic slave trade. She was a brilliant diplomat and warrior, forming alliances and using military tactics to maintain her kingdom’s sovereignty, securing her legacy as one of Africa’s greatest leaders.
NZINGA OF NDONGO AND MATAMBA
An Indigenous Waorani activist, Nemonte Nenquimo has led efforts to protect the Amazon rainforest and Indigenous land from deforestation and oil drilling. Her leadership helped secure a historic legal victory against the Ecuadorian government, preventing the exploitation of thousands of acres of rainforest.
NENQUIMO
Click on the portraits to learn more about these leaders!
A Nobel Peace Prize-winning activist, Leymah Gbowee organized a women’s peace movement that helped end Liberia’s brutal civil war. Through nonviolent protests and grassroots activism, she demonstrated the power of women in conflict resolution and peace-building.
GBOWEE LEYMAHROBERTA
LEADERS LEADERS LEADERS
Wu Zetian (624–705 CE) was the only female emperor in Chinese history, ruling during the Tang Dynasty. Originally a concubine, she rose to power through intelligence and political skill, eventually declaring herself Emperor in 690 CE. She had a controversial rise but was known for her successful rule. She helped China by expanding its borders, promoting Buddhism, and implementing reforms in education, agriculture, and government. Click on the portraits
LITERATURE
A court writer during the Heian period, Murasaki Shikibu wrote The Tale of Genji, often considered the world’s first novel. Her work provided deep insights into court life and the inner emotions of its characters, making her a groundbreaking figure in literature and storytelling.
Nawal El Saadawi was an Egyptian writer, physician, and feminist activist best known for her novel, Woman at Point Zero; a powerful portrayal of female resistance in a misogynistic society. A lifelong advocate for women's rights, she was imprisoned for her activism and faced censorship for her ideas.
Through her fiction, essays, and speeches, El Saadawi challenged notions of gender equality in the Arab world, cementing her legacy as one of Africa’s most influential feminist voices.
NAWAL
EL SAADAWI
MURASAKI SHIKIBU
Click on the books to read and learn more!
Buchi Emecheta (1944–2017) was a pioneering Nigerian novelist and feminist writer. Born in Lagos, she moved to the UK, where she balanced motherhood, education, and writing. Her most famous novel, The Joys of Motherhood (1979), critiques traditional gender roles and the struggles of African women in a rapidly changing society. Her works highlight the challenges faced by women in patriarchal societies.
BUCHI EMECHETA LITERATURE
Elena Ferrante is the anonymous Italian author of the Neapolitan Novels, a four-book series that follows the complex friendship between two women, Elena and Lila, from childhood to adulthood in post-war Naples. The novels explore themes of identity, class, and gender, offering a raw portrayal of the challenges women face in a patriarchal society.
ELENA FERRANTE
Click on the books to read and learn more!
At just 13 years old, Mo’ne Davis became the first girl to pitch a shutout in the Little League World Series, proving that young women could break barriers in maledominated sports. Her success inspired girls around the world to pursue athletics without limits.
MO’NE
DAVIS
In 1926, Gertrude Ederle became the first woman to swim across the English Channel, beating the men’s record by nearly two hours. Her achievement challenged the belief that women were physically weaker than men, inspiring generations of female swimmers.
GERTRUDE GERTRUDE
EDERLE
Yaroslava Mahuchikh is a Ukrainian high jumper, widely regarded as one of the best in the world. Born in 2002, she gained international recognition by winning the 2019 World Indoor Championships at just 16. Mahuchikh recently earned a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. With a personal best of 2.06 meters, she holds the women’s high jump world record.
YAROSLAVA MAHUCHIKH
NADIA NADIA COMĂNECI
Nadia Comăneci is a Romanian gymn made history at the 1976 Montreal Olymp she scored the first perfect 10 in gymna just 14 years old, she stunned the world, three gold medals, one silver, and one Comăneci’s precision and grace on the beam and uneven bars set a new stan gymnastics.
Click on the portraits to learn about these athletes!
Often considered the first computer programmer, Ada Lovelace worked with Charles Babbage in the 19th century to develop algorithms for his early mechanical computer. She envisioned the potential of computing long before it was realized, making her a foundational figure in computer science.
ADA LOVELACE
A pioneering marine biologist and oceanographer, Sylvia Earle has spent decades exploring and advocating for ocean conservation. The first female chief scientist of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, she has inspired global efforts to protect marine ecosystems and combat climate change.
SYLVIA EARLE
SCIENCE CURIE MARIE
Marie Curie (1867–1934) was a pioneering physicist and chemist, best known for discovering the elements radium and polonium. She became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize in 1903, and later won a second in Chemistry in 1911. Curie’s work on radioactivity revolutionized science and medicine, and her legacy continues to inspire future generations of scientists.
Hadiyah-Nicole Green is an American physicist and one of the leading researchers in cancer treatment. She developed a groundbreaking cancer treatment using laser-activated nanoparticles, a non-toxic alternative to traditional chemotherapy. In 2016, she became one of the few African American women to receive a Ph.D. in physics, and her work has the potential to revolutionize cancer therapy, offering hope for more targeted and less harmful treatments.
HADIYAH-NICOLE GREEN
TERESHKOVA VALENTINA SCIENCE
Valentina Tereshkova (born 1937) was the first woman to fly in space, making history on June 16, 1963 aboard Vostok 6. A factory worker and amateur skydiver, she spent almost three days in space conducting experiments. Tereshkova’s achievement broke barriers and remains a symbol of female contribution to space exploration.
A visionary architect, Zaha Hadid revolutionized modern architecture with her futuristic, fluid designs. She was the first woman to win the Pritzker Architecture Prize, and her groundbreaking buildings, like the London Aquatics Centre and Guangzhou Opera House, continue to shape urban landscapes worldwide.
ZAHA HADID
Click on the portraits to learn more about their art! B I L L I E Z A N G E W A
Billie Zangewa is a Malawian-born, South Africa-based artist renowned for her hand-stitched silk artwork, celebrating the resilience of women. By focusing on personal moments—such as motherhood, self-care, and daily routines—Zangewa transforms the traditionally undervalued medium of textile art into a powerful feminist statement.
A D U E
A genre-defining neo-soul artist, Erykah Badu is known for her unique voice, poetic lyrics, and influence on modern R&B and hip-hop.
Beyond her music, she is a cultural icon, embracing Afrocentric spirituality and activism, advocating for Black empowerment, and redefining artistic expression in the music industry.
Powerful Music
One of the world’s greatest classical pianists, Mitsuko Uchida is known for her masterful interpretations of Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert. Her expressive and deeply emotional performances have made her a leading figure in classical music, earning her international acclaim and numerous prestigious awards.
Click on the portraits to listen to their music!!
"Queen of Katwe" (2016) is a biographical drama about Phiona Mutesi, a young girl from the slums of Katwe, Uganda, who becomes an international chess champion. The film beautifully portrays themes of resilience, family, and female empowerment, with standout performances from Madina Nalwanga, Lupita Nyong’o, and David Oyelowo. Shot in Uganda, it’s an inspiring and authentic story that proves talent and determination can overcome any obstacle.
IMPORTANT FILMS
"Persepolis" (2007) is an animated biographical film based on Marjane Satrapi’s graphic novel about her childhood and coming-of-age during and after the Iranian Revolution. It follows Marjane as she navigates war, political oppression, exile, and identity struggles while growing up between Iran and Europe. The film powerfully explores themes of feminism, freedom, and resilience through its striking black-andwhite animation. Emotionally gripping and deeply personal, Persepolis is a mustwatch for its unique storytelling and historical depth.
