7 Bad Ass Women Who Battled Mental Illness

Beyond the term "cray, cray", celebrating International Women's Day.

Be Shameless And Speak

As the world over celebrates International Women's Day, the taboo of mental illness especially in women still lurks in many societies. These women pushed beyond the stigma and misconceptions of what was known as "female hysteria", all while becoming innovators themselves.

7. Georgia O'Keeffe

One of the most significant 20th-century American artist. Dubbed as the "Mother of American Modernism", battled depression throughout her life.

6. J.K. Rowling

This titan of literature who brought the wizardly enchantments of Harry Potter to the world of "muggles," battled her own dementors of depression and thoughts of suicide.

5. Marie Sklodowska Curie

The first woman to win a Nobel Prize, the first person and only woman to win twice. As a physicist and chemist of the Victorian Era, she became the first woman to earn her Ph.D. at a French university. Famed for her discoveries of polonium, radium and development of x-rays she battled major depression.

4. Frida Kahlo

Famed Mexican artist who was candid about her depression, suicide attempts, and mental breakdowns through her explosion of colorful yet bittersweet narrative painting.

3. Ada Lovelace

Born Augusta Ada Byron, Countess of Lovelace was more than just the daughter of Lord Byron. Beyond the aristocracy, she had an interest in mathematics and development. As she wrote the world's first computer algorithm for an early computing machine she earned the title of "the world's first computer programmer." However, this tech visionary silently battled bipolar disorder.

2. Nellie Bly

A journalistic pioneer who most notably faked insanity to study Blackwell Island Asylum from within. Her exposé caused for increased funding and humane treatment of mentally ill patients.

1. Wonder Woman

Every Amazon has their own personal battles while saving the world. Actress Lynda Carter not only faced alcoholism but anxiety and depression. Here's to conquering your challenges Wonder Woman!