Politicians, military and public figures, people of art, scientists and athletes – there so many Russian women who have become heroines of not only Russian but also world history at different times. Today we are going to talk about five of them.
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Tsarevna Sofia Alekseevna
She was the “gray cardinal,” the leader of the ruling trinity, along with Ivan and Peter – the legitimate heirs of the throne. From 1682 to 1689, Tsarevna Sofia Alekseevna was the main political figure of the Russian Empire. When Sofia was a ruler, the Russo-Polish war was completed, although it had been continuing for 32 years on the western frontiers of the Moscow kingdom. Her achievements include the conclusion of the Treaty of Nerchinsk with China which was essentially unprofitable: Russia was losing lands. In 1687 and 1689, under the leadership of the favorite of the princess, Vasily Golitsyn, campaigns against the Crimean Tatars were carried out – they strengthened Russia’s authority in the eyes of the Allies in the Holy League. As you can see, Russian women are strong and vise; you should take it into consideration when Russian dating if you are going to match such a strong personality.
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Grand Duchess Elizaveta Petrovna
The daughter of Peter the Great, who managed to take power into her hands with the support of a company of grenadiers of the Preobrazhensky regiment. It was precisely the policy of the father that Elizaveta Petrovna continued. She was able to cancel customs duties, thus accelerating the development of the country’s market. During her ruling, the poll tax was reduced and a census of the Russian population was conducted (from 1744 to 1747). The development of the country was slow but effective; there was an increase not only in the economy and industry but also in the cultural and scientific growth of the country. It was under this empress that the Academy of Sciences, Moscow University, the Academy of Arts, and various educational institutions appeared in the Russian Empire.
Among the achievements in foreign policy, the final defeat of Sweden (it was possible to win back part of Finland) should be named as well as the establishment of allied relations with many European powers.
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Catherine II the Great
The ruler completes the so-called feminine era of the reign of the XVIII century. However, historians note not so much the talent of a conspirator as the very urgent tasks that Catherine the Great had set herself when she entered into the rights of the sovereign.
It is valuable that the tasks were not only formulated but also fulfilled. From 1762 to 1796, the country’s population almost doubled, both due to natural growth and with the addition of new territories. Outlets to the Black and Azov seas were conquered, and Crimea, Ukraine (except for the Lviv region), Belarus, Eastern Poland, Kabarda were annexed. At the same time, during her reign, only one execution was carried out — the leader of the peasant uprising, Yemelyan Pugachev was executed.
Catherine’s Russia was culturally strong too. The Grand Duchess enthusiastically accepted the ideas of the Enlightenment and attached great importance to education, including women’s.
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Ekaterina Romanovna Dashkova
The main ally of Empress Catherine the Great. One of the most enlightened women of her time. By the age of 15, Ekaterina Dashkova had a library of 900 volumes. The name of Princess Dashkova forever entered the history of Russian science.
While still a young girl, she was associated with the court and became one of the leading personalities of the movement who supported Ekaterina Alekseevna on her ascension to the throne. Later, Ekaterina Romanovna was the first Russian woman to occupy a responsible post without being crowned as a special person. She simultaneously led the Academy of Sciences and served as a president of the Russian Academy.
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St. Matrona from Moscow
One of the most famous and revered Orthodox saints. Having the gift of supernatural power from birth, before her death, she became known as a prayer and ascetic to the glory of God. Her whole life has become an example of a great spiritual achievement. Her main motos were love, patience, self-denial, and compassion. Her example proves that only cruel women can have a great influence on Russian.
During the life of Matrona, there were always pilgrims at her house. People were coming to her as a mother for help through dozens of kilometers so that she cured their illnesses, anxieties, and sorrows. And Matrona helped, healed, and gave instructions. She was forever remembered as a very bright, affectionate person with a quiet voice. She never complained, accepting everything that happened to her as a gift of God.
