Hrotsvitha was a canoness at the Gandersheim Abbey in what is now Germany and is recognized as the first known female playwright in the Western tradition. Writing in Latin, she composed a series of religious plays modeled on the style of Roman playwright Terence but infused with Christian themes.

Her works highlighted female virtues such as chastity, faith, and courage, often portraying strong women as heroes. Hrotsvitha's plays challenged both the theatrical conventions of her time and the stereotypes of women’s intellectual capabilities, carving a space for female voices in medieval literature.

 Julian of Norwich (c. 1342 – after 1416) – Mystic and Author

Julian of Norwich was an English anchoress and mystic known for writing Revelations of Divine Love, considered the first book in English written by a woman. Her work, based on visions she received during a serious illness, explored themes of divine compassion and the nature of suffering.

While not a direct political activist, Julian’s writings offered a deeply compassionate and radical vision of humanity’s relationship with God that implicitly challenged patriarchal religious interpretations. Her role as a female spiritual authority expanded the scope for women’s intellectual and religious expression in medieval society. shutdown123