Hear ye, hear ye! Starting this year, Adorageek will also celebrate the life of woman heroes. We have so many remarkable women out there that have always been parts of the great history of the world. They are notable figures to be look upon to; their acts, contributions, and roles inspire us even until today. So every month, Adorageek will celebrate the life of a woman hero who was born in that respective month. You will see heroes from different walks of life, from science to arts to politics; and Adorageek has especially chosen different heroines to represent the diversity of human culture and ethnicity. They are as colorful as we all are!

For this month, Adorageek will celebrate the bravery of Joan of Arc!

Joan of Arc, or often called the Maid of Orléans, was born on 6 January 1412. She is considered as one of heroine of France for her role in the Hundred Years’ War. The Hundred Years’ War was a series of conflicts waged from 1337 to 1453 by rulers of the Kingdom of England against the rulers of the Kingdom of France, over the succession to the French throne.

Jon of Arc believed she received visions from Archangel Michael, Saint Margaret, and Saint Catherine of Alexandria, all of whom are prominent figures in Christianity, that she must support Charles VII and recover France from English dominion. So in 1428, when she was sixteen years old, she left her home to be able to attend the French Royal Court. Although at first she failed to do so, she kept trying and eventually managed to meet with Charles VII himself.

Joan then asked Charles VII’s permission to go with a relief mission to Orléans, which at that time was under siege by the English army. In Orléans, it is said that the decisions taken in the battle were influenced by her advises, which are based from her visions sent from God. Joan herself also joined the battle, often holding a banner at the front line. As a result, the siege was successfully lifted only in nine days after Joan’s arrival on 29 April 1429.

Afterwards Joan continued to participate in battles that lead to France’s victory, and subsequently Charles VII coronation on 17 July 1429. She kept standing at the front lines, holding her banner, despite being wounded many times. On 23 May 1430, Joan was captured and put on trial for heresy. She was declared guilty and burned at the stake on 30 May 1431, when she was only nineteen years old. Later, the trial was debunked by an inquisitorial court on 1456. Joan of Arc was pronounced innocent and declared as a martyr.

Until today, Joan of Arc is the inspiration of bravery, of determination, and that a person from any level of society could receive a divine calling.

What about you? Tell us your favorite heroine! Or do you have a personal heroine who have inspired you? Let us know, and Adorageek will be more than honored to share her story with the world!