History · General Awareness

Women in Media and History

3,521 Questions

Attempt a diverse range of questions highlighting the achievements of women in history, global media, politics, and literature. The set covers famous celebrities, historical firsts, influential leaders, and notable authors. This material helps build a strong foundation for the general knowledge sections of various competitive exams.

Historical female figuresFemale celebritiesWomen in politicsWomen in sports

Women in Media and History Questions

Multiple choice

Who was the founder of the National Council of Negro Women?

  1. Mary McLeod Bethune

  2. Ida B. Wells-Barnett

  3. Sojourner Truth

  4. Harriet Tubman
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Mary McLeod Bethune was an African American educator, civil rights activist, philanthropist, and founder of the National Council of Negro Women. She was a prominent leader in the civil rights movement and worked to improve the lives of African Americans in the United States.

Multiple choice

Who was the first African American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize?

  1. Wangari Maathai

  2. Jody Williams

  3. Shirin Ebadi

  4. Rigoberta Menchú Tum
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Wangari Maathai was a Kenyan environmental and political activist. She was the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, which she received in 2004 for her work on sustainable development, democracy, and peace.

Multiple choice

Who was the first African American woman to serve as mayor of a major city in the United States?

  1. Shirley Chisholm

  2. Barbara Jordan

  3. Carol Moseley Braun

  4. Constance Baker Motley
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Shirley Chisholm was an African American politician and the first African American woman elected to Congress. She served in the House of Representatives from 1969 to 1983 and was the first African American woman to run for President of the United States.

Multiple choice

Who was the first African American woman to win an Academy Award for Best Actress?

  1. Halle Berry

  2. Whoopi Goldberg

  3. Angela Bassett

  4. Lupita Nyong'o
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Halle Berry was the first African American woman to win an Academy Award for Best Actress, which she received in 2002 for her performance in the film "Monster's Ball".

Multiple choice

Who was the first African American woman to serve as a justice of the Supreme Court of California?

  1. Rose Bird

  2. Cruz Reynoso

  3. Joyce Kennard

  4. Ming Chin
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Rose Bird was the first African American woman to serve as a justice of the Supreme Court of California. She was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown in 1977 and served until 1987.

Multiple choice

Who was the first African American woman to win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress?

  1. Whoopi Goldberg

  2. Jennifer Hudson

  3. Mo'Nique

  4. Lupita Nyong'o
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Whoopi Goldberg was the first African American woman to win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, which she received in 1991 for her performance in the film "Ghost".

Multiple choice

Which actress shaved her head and gained weight to play the role of Fantine in the movie 'Les Misérables'?

  1. Anne Hathaway

  2. Meryl Streep

  3. Nicole Kidman

  4. Natalie Portman
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Anne Hathaway underwent a significant physical transformation for her role as Fantine, shaving her head and gaining weight to accurately portray the character's struggles and transformation.

Multiple choice

Which actress underwent extensive makeup and prosthetics to portray the role of Margaret Thatcher in the movie 'The Iron Lady'?

  1. Meryl Streep

  2. Helen Mirren

  3. Judi Dench

  4. Maggie Smith
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Meryl Streep underwent extensive makeup and prosthetics to accurately portray the physical characteristics and mannerisms of Margaret Thatcher in the movie 'The Iron Lady'.

Multiple choice

What was the highest rank that a woman could achieve in the United States military during World War II?

  1. Lieutenant Colonel

  2. Colonel

  3. Brigadier General

  4. Major General
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The highest rank that a woman could achieve in the United States military during World War II was Colonel.

Multiple choice

What was the name of the first woman to receive the Medal of Honor?

  1. Mary Edwards Walker

  2. Margaret Corbin

  3. Deborah Sampson

  4. Molly Pitcher
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Mary Edwards Walker was the first woman to receive the Medal of Honor, the highest military decoration in the United States.

Multiple choice

Which branch of the United States military was the first to open all combat roles to women?

  1. Army

  2. Navy

  3. Air Force

  4. Marine Corps
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Air Force was the first branch of the United States military to open all combat roles to women, in 1994.

Multiple choice

Who was the first woman to serve as Secretary of the Army?

  1. Katherine Johnson

  2. Margaret Chase Smith

  3. Shirley Chisholm

  4. Francisca Flores
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Katherine Johnson was the first woman to serve as Secretary of the Army, from 2015 to 2017.

Multiple choice

Who was the first woman to serve as Secretary of the Navy?

  1. Sarah T. Hughes

  2. Joan M. Davenport

  3. Rachel L. Levine

  4. Janet L. Yellen
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Sarah T. Hughes was the first woman to serve as Secretary of the Navy, from 1999 to 2001.

Multiple choice

Who was the first woman to serve as Secretary of the Air Force?

  1. Sheila E. Widnall

  2. Deborah Lee James

  3. Heather A. Wilson

  4. Barbara M. Barrett
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Sheila E. Widnall was the first woman to serve as Secretary of the Air Force, from 1993 to 1997.

Multiple choice

Who was the first woman to serve as Commandant of the Marine Corps?

  1. Linda L. Reynolds

  2. Kathleen H. Hicks

  3. Gina M. Ortiz Jones

  4. Margaret H. Woodward
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Linda L. Reynolds was the first woman to serve as Commandant of the Marine Corps, from 2019 to 2021.