November 13

Very little is recorded about her personal life beyond her marriage to Pallig. She was part of a Norse noble household during the Viking Age in England. Her death in 1002 occurred amidst unrest and uprisings against Danish settlers. Historical sources about her are scarce, and her story is largely intertwined with her husband's legacy. Gunhilde's life highlights the often overlooked roles of women in medieval Norse society.

Born around 1010 into the influential House of Luxembourg. Little is known about his personal achievements or titles. He lived during the high Middle Ages under the Holy Roman Empire. Historical records do not provide detailed accounts of his activities. He died in 1072, leaving behind few traces in the written sources. His life illustrates the challenges of reconstructing early medieval genealogy and nobility.

Cecilie Thoresen Krog was the first woman to enroll at a Norwegian university, breaking gender barriers in 1882. She became a leading advocate for women’s rights in Norway, campaigning for educational and legal reforms. Krog co-founded the Norwegian Association for Women’s Rights in 1884 and worked tirelessly to expand opportunities for women. Her activism contributed to the eventual granting of full citizenship rights to Norwegian women. She served on various committees and lectured widely on women’s suffrage and equality. Krog’s legacy endures in Norway’s strong tradition of gender equality.

Princess Viktoria of Prussia was born in 1866 as the eldest daughter of Emperor Frederick III of Germany and Victoria, daughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. She married Prince Adolf of Schaumburg-Lippe and played a ceremonial role in European royal society. Viktoria witnessed the rapid political changes in Germany leading up to and following World War I. Despite her royal status, she maintained charitable activities and supported cultural institutions. She lived through the fall of the German Empire and adapted to life under the Weimar Republic. Her diaries and letters offer insights into European court life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Karen Silkwood (1946-1974) was a chemical technician at a plutonium fuel fabrication plant in Oklahoma. She became an activist and whistleblower after discovering safety violations and radiation contamination at the facility. Silkwood’s efforts to expose health risks to workers attracted national attention and led to a landmark lawsuit against Kerr-McGee Corporation. Her mysterious death in a car accident while carrying documents for her case fueled controversy and speculation. The 1983 film Silkwood, starring Meryl Streep, immortalized her courage and raised public awareness of nuclear safety. Silkwood’s legacy endures in ongoing debates about workers’ rights and corporate accountability in hazardous industries.

Born in 1995 in Honduras, María José Alvarado rose to national prominence in 2014 when she was crowned Señorita Honduras. She was set to represent her country at the Miss World pageant before her life ended under tragic circumstances. Alvarado's advocacy for youth empowerment and education had begun to take shape through her modeling platform. Her disappearance and subsequent murder shocked the international community and highlighted issues of violence against women in her homeland. Her legacy continues to raise awareness and prompt action on gender-based violence.

Born in 1946, Peter Sutcliffe terrorized northern England between 1975 and 1980, targeting vulnerable women and sparking widespread fear. His crimes prompted one of the largest and most controversial manhunts in British history, highlighting flaws in police procedures. During his trial, Sutcliffe was convicted of 13 counts of murder and 7 counts of attempted murder, receiving multiple life sentences. The case led to significant changes in policing practices and a reexamination of societal attitudes toward violence against women. He remained incarcerated until his death in 2020, leaving behind a complex legacy of tragedy and reform.

Born in 1940, Theodore Olson was appointed U.S. Solicitor General from 2001 to 2004 and argued landmark Supreme Court cases such as Bush v. Gore and Hamdan v. Rumsfeld. A Harvard Law graduate, he served in senior roles at the Department of Justice and in private practice, where his appellate advocacy secured significant legal precedents. Olson's litigation skills and strategic acumen earned him recognition as one of America's leading constitutional lawyers. After leaving public service, he continued to influence the law through teaching, pro bono work, and high-profile cases. He remained active in legal circles until his death in 2024.