Balkan Women History

Borders in the Balkans have shifted constantly across history. We group each woman by the modern country her story is most associated with — while the maps on the Learn page show how the territory actually looked in her lifetime.

Serbia

1349–1405

Jefimija

First known woman writer in Serbian literature.

1892–1973

Milunka Savić

The most decorated woman soldier in history.

c.1335–1405

Princess Milica

Regent of Serbia after the Battle of Kosovo.

1416–1487

Mara Branković

Serbian princess and influential Ottoman-court diplomat.

Albania

c. 230 BC

Queen Teuta

Illyrian ruler of the Adriatic coast (also claimed by Montenegro).

1917–1983

Musine Kokalari

Albania's first major woman writer and dissident.

Romania

1875–1938

Queen Marie

Wartime nurse, writer, and advocate for Romania abroad.

1913–1963

Maria Tănase

The "voice of Romania" who took folk song to the world.

b. 1961

Nadia Comăneci

First perfect 10 in Olympic gymnastics.

Greece

1771–1825

Laskarina Bouboulina

Naval commander and heroine of the Greek War of Independence.