Discover the top 10 trailblazing women who have inspired generations to explore

Amelia Earhart, Jessica Ennis-Hill, and Greta Thunberg have been named among the most inspiring women in history. According to a study of 2,000 adults, these women have inspired others to step out of their comfort zones.

The research revealed that 20% of respondents were motivated to embrace new challenges after learning about Earhart’s groundbreaking achievement as the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

Other women whose accomplishments inspired significant numbers of people include sailor Ellen MacArthur, who became the fastest person to solo circumnavigate the globe, as well as cyclist Laura Kenny, astronaut Sally Ride, and boxer Nicola Adams.

The study, commissioned by global technology brand OnePlus, highlights a significant lack of recognition for female explorers and pioneers.

While 64% of participants agreed that the stories of trailblazing women should be more widely told to encourage others to embrace their inner adventurer, 53% admitted they couldn’t name one female explorer.

Comparatively, fictional adventurers Lara Croft (63%) and Dora the Explorer (59%) were much more widely recognised than real-life pioneers such as Jane Goodall (22%) or Gertrude Bell (9%).

Only 3% of respondents were aware of Dorothy Pilley, a 20th-century mountaineer who championed women’s climbing. To help highlight Dorothy’s pioneering journey across Corsica, OnePlus has teamed up with intrepid explorer Elise Wortley for a unique expedition.

The adventure, which also features renowned mountaineer Edurne Pasaban and adventurer Lotta Hintsa, is set to pay tribute to Pilley’s pioneering spirit and encourage others to embark on their own explorations. The OnePlus 13, touted as the perfect companion for modern-day explorers, will capture every moment of this historic journey.

Wortley expressed her enthusiasm about highlighting unsung female adventurers: “Dorothy Pilley should be essential learning for all of us. This fascinating woman was one of the first female mountaineers and trailblazing adventurers.

“We couldn’t be more excited to bring her incredible story to life and inspire future generations to embrace adventure and exploration as she did.”

Research accompanying the announcment of the expedition uncovered a gender gap in recognition of explorers: while figures like Charles Darwin and Marco Polo are well-known, only 56% of people recalled learning about female explorers in school or higher education.

A significant 84% of those surveyed acknowledged that narratives of exploration and discovery are predominantly male-focused.

OnePlus Europe’s representative Celina Shi highlighted the significance of recognising trailblazing women, stating: “There are so many fascinating expeditions led by women that often go forgotten.

“This partnership aims to not only document the adventure but to inspire future explorers through the incredible legacy of figures like Dorothy Pilley.”