Best of the Best: English Women Quiz

Answer: Julie Andrews

Of course, if the clue mentioned "Mary Poppins" (1964) or "The Sound of Music" (1965), Julie Andrews, who was born in Walton-on-Thames, England, would have immediately come to mind! She was made a "Dame" in 2002 by Queen Elizabeth II for her contributions to the performing arts. Andrews has been the voice of Queen Lillian, the mother of Princess Fiona, in three of the films in the "Shrek" series.

In 2006 she was awarded the Screen Actor's Guild Life Achievement Award, which joined her many other awards including Grammys, Emmys, and Golden Globes.

Answer: Jane Austen

Jane Austen, born in Hampshire, England, is well-known today for her novels, such as "Sense and Sensibility" (1811) and "Emma" (1815). Very little is known about her life today, aside from what can be learned in letters sent to her family, especially those written to her sister, Cassandra. Unfortunately she burned many of Jane's letters and even edited out parts so that all of Jane's "acid or forthright comments" did not become known to family and neighbors.

Although Jane never married, she does appear to have had feelings for Tom Lefroy, who was a family neighbor.

In addition to writing famous novels, she also wrote a short novel called "Lady Susan", which was published in 1871. It was the story of a widow and her plans to find a husband for her daughter.

Answer: Boudica

Boudica, the famous ancient Queen of the Iceni, is believed to have lived in the area of present-day Norfolk, England. Married to Prasutagus, the king, she took on the leadership of the Iceni after his death. Actually, he willed the kingdom to his daughters and the Roman emperor.

However, Roman mistreatment brought the Iceni to the famous revolt, which Boudica is said to have led. The revolt is said to have left 80,000 Romans in Britain dead, and three cities, Camulodunum (Colchester), Londinium (London), and Verulamium (St. Albans), in ruins.

After being defeated at the Battle of Watling Street, some sources say Boudica drank poison, while others say she died of wounds received in battle.

Answer: Emily Bronte

Oh, my! Emily Bronte, born in the West Riding of Yorkshire, was so reclusive that it is a challenge to find information about her beyond the writing of her famous novel, "Wuthering Heights", which was published in 1847 under the pen name of Ellis Bell. Before her early death, Emily copied her poems, which she viewed as her very personal writing, into two notebooks - one containing her "Gondal Poems", and the other contained all of her other poems. Gondal was an imaginary world created by Emily, and her sister, Anne; they entertained themselves by writing about romance and intrigues there.

While the collection of the poems by Emily has been published, the prose work, "The Gondal Chronicles", believed to divulge the entire chain of events in the imaginary world, has been lost.

Answer: Florence Nightingale

Called the "Founder of Modern Nursing", Florence Nightengale was born in Florence, Italy, to wealthy British parents. Upon their return to England, the family lived in homes in Derbyshire. Her most famous achievement came during the Crimean War, when she and 38 volunteer staff members were sent to Crimea, where the main British camp was constructed during the war. Outraged by the poor facilities in which she found wounded soldiers, she eventually was sent a prefabricated hospital, known as the Renkioi Hospital, where she is said to have reduced the death rate from an amazing 42% to 2%.

Her book, "Notes on Nursing", published in 1859, gave advice on ventilation, sanitation, and proper nutrition, among other things, for hospitals. The Nightingale Pledge, taken by nurses today, is comparable to the Hippocratic Oath taken by doctors.

Answer: Emmeline Pankhurst

Born in Manchester, Emmeline Pankhurst is certainly most famous for her work to gain British women the right to vote. In addition to that, however, she worked as a Poor Law Guardian, and was appalled by the conditions she found in Manchester's workhouses, where the poor were offered work and living arrangements.

After her husband passed away, she founded the Women's Social and Political Union, which was dedicated to the support of female suffrage; the group gained a reputation for creating quite a ruckus! When Britain became involved in WWI, Pankhurst set aside her campaign for female suffrage and, instead, became involved in the White Feather movement, which encouraged young men to fight, and women to work outside of the home. Men who were not in uniform or women who did not comply were given white feathers, traditionally a symbol of shame in Britain.

In 1918 women in England over the age of thirty were given the right to vote; Pankhurst, however, continued to promote female equality.

Answer: Joanne Rowling

Joanne Rowling, perhaps more famously known as J.K. Rowling, was born in Yate, Gloucestershire. Her "rags to riches" story began with the death of her mother, birth of a child, and divorce from her first husband, which led to her living in poverty until the publication of her first book, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone". Within five years she went from living on state benefits to becoming a multi-millionaire.

In 2010 Forbes Magazine editors voted her the "Most Influential Woman in Britain". Using the pen name, Robert Galbraith, Rowling has also written crime books for adults.

Answer: Margaret Thatcher

Margaret Thatcher was not only the first female prime minister of the UK, but also the longest serving prime minister of the 20th century. Born in Grantham, Lincolnshire, she became the leader of the Conservative Party in 1975 - the first woman to lead a major party in the UK - and remained so until 1990.

She was made a "Baroness" after she retired from the House of Commons in 1992, which enabled her to sit in the House of Lords. The Baroness was awarded an honorary membership in the prestigious gentlemen's club, the Carlton Club, said to be the "oldest and most important" Conservative clubs in London.

Answer: Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon

Born in London, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon was married to Prince Albert and became the Duchess of York in 1923. She immediately became a popular member of the royal family; known as the "Smiling Duchess", she and her husband were very much in the public eye. Even before the abdication of Edward VIII and subsequent coronation of her husband as King George VI, at which time she became known as Empress Consort of India, she was known for her duty and service to both her family and England.

After her husband's death, Elizabeth became known as the Queen Mother or Queen Mum to avoid confusion with her daughter, the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth II.

Answer: Diana Spencer

Born at Park House in Sandringham, Norfolk, Diana Spencer became known as Lady Diana Spencer in 1975 after her father inherited the title Earl Spencer. After her marriage to Prince Charles, Diana became involved with the HALO Trust, an organization that removed the remains of war - especially land mines. Pictures of the Princess in Angola, wearing a helmet and flak jacket were seen worldwide, and her work regarding the landmine issue helped to promote awareness of postwar problems. Always popular and influential, Diana, was called the People's Princess by Tony Blair in a speech after her death. On the 2002 list of "100 Greatest Britons", Diana ranked #3, and was the highest ranking female on the roster.