Women Who Defied Traditional Gender Roles
One lesser-known historical woman who defied traditional gender roles and changed history was Bertha Benz, a pioneering figure in the automotive industry. Born in 1849 in Germany, Bertha married Carl Benz, the inventor of the first automobile, the Benz Patent-Motorwagen.
During a time when women were expected to play only supportive, domestic roles, Bertha’s determination and vision would prove to be crucial to the success of the automobile—a revolutionary invention that would change the world.
Her journey demonstrated the practical use of the automobile, proving its viability to a skeptical public and potential investors.
Bertha Benz’s boldness and innovative thinking challenged the restrictive societal norms for women in her time. Her actions were instrumental in the success of the automobile, and she is now recognized as the first person to drive a car over a long distance.
Bertha’s contributions paved the way for the development of modern transportation and showcased how women could play essential roles in technological advancement. By stepping outside the boundaries of traditional gender roles, she helped accelerate a movement that would transform how people traveled and connected around the world.
In 1888, without her husband’s knowledge, Bertha took the Motorwagen on the first long-distance automobile trip in history, traveling about 66 miles from Mannheim to Pforzheim with her two sons. This journey was not only a daring personal feat but also a critical moment for the automobile’s future. Along the way, Bertha solved technical issues with the car, refueled it using available resources, and essentially tested the invention in real-world conditions, something no one had attempted before.