LASKARINA BOUBOULINA (1771-1825) – Often hailed as history’s first female admiral, Laskarina developed a passion for sailing in her youth and was permitted to pursue that passion thanks to her stepfather’s open-mindedness regarding women’s behavior and education.
At some point after 1814 Bouboulina joined Filiki Etairea, a covert organization working toward liberating Greece from its long occupation by the Ottoman Muslim Empire. By the time the actual Greek War of Independence broke out in February of 1821, Laskarina had six children and lost two husbands, the second one a very wealthy man.
Our heroine poured her inheritance into the cause of Greek Independence and personally took command of her small fleet of four ships (some sources say eight ships) which had been constructed and outfitted in defiance of Ottoman regulations on Greek battleships. She even designed her own flag.
Laskarina became a legend in the ongoing war and participated in many naval campaigns. She also financed an army unit. Continue reading
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