Troublemakers: Ranavalona I

Ranavalona I (1792-1861) was a queen known for her ruthless 33 year reign in Madagascar, often portrayed as both a bloodthirsty dictator and an anti-imperialist leader. For those of you tuning in for the first time, welcome! Here’s the deal: Every weekday, we highlight the stories of iconic women in history you may not know about, but definitely should. We’re talking about women from around the world and throughout history. Each month is themed. This month we’re talking about troublemakers–from women who made “good trouble” to women who thrived in illicit industries to villains in the truest sense of the word.