Albania's Formidable Women
The women who dared to defy
Despite its centuries as one of the most patriarchal societies in Europe, or perhaps as a consequence of it, Albanian history is peppered with the most inspiring women who dared to defy.
Here’s a selection of the women we’ll cover:
Xhevë Krasniqi-Lladrovci (1955 - 1998): Freedom fighter and heroine, she is the only member of the Kosovo Liberation Army to receive the rank of Major General: male or female
Nexhmije Hoxha (1921 - 2020): Together with her husband Enver Hoxha, Albania’s communist dictator, the couple ran a 40-year reign of terror
Mother Teresa (1910 - 1997): Internationally famous for her humanitarian work, she was raised as a Kosovar Albanian and left aged 18 - never to return
Safiye Sultan (1550 - 1619): An Albanian slave girl who rose to become the most powerful player in the Ottoman court - receiving gifts from Elizabeth I of England
Queen Teuta (c. 230 BC): Queen of the Illyrians (the predecessors to the Albanians) she defied Rome and fought the Greeks but a betrayal cost her the kingdom
