In celebration of the publication of the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography which was highlighted in the news earlier this week, I thought it would be fun to find out who you consider to be a hero and shero. In order to make it easier, I've decided to keep the criteria quite narrow. Therefore, if you wish to take part, please nominate one historical figure of both sexes and one contemporay figure of both sexes. They do not have to be British. I'll start the ball rolling.
Historical
Leonardo da Vinci: Mostly recognised as a famous painter but he was also a designer, inventor, engineer and architect. A true genius.
Harriet Tubman: Born into slavery, she bought her freedom and was instrumental in the Underground Railroad that helped free thousands of other slaves by escorting them to freedom.
Contemporary:
Nelson Mandela: A quarter of his life spent in prison for fighting against apartheid. His conduct since his release has been inspirational in that he has not allowed himself to be consumed by bitterness and hate. He works tirelessly to make the world a better place and he is nobody's puppet!
Oprah Winfrey: Born into a poor family, subject to sexual abuse as a child, she has risen above all this as well as racism in the US media to become one of the richest women in the world. A great role model who has demonstrated that life does not just have to happen to you, you can do something about it.