Nomination Guidelines
The Archive is a curated collection — not every remarkable woman will be included, but every woman included will have been remarkable in ways that align with the Queens Never Die mission. These guidelines outline the spirit of what we look for.
We believe that by being intentional about who enters The Archive, we honor each story more deeply and maintain the integrity of the collection as a whole.
Core Qualifying Principles
Acts of Defiance
She challenged the norms, laws, expectations, or power structures of her time in a meaningful way. Her defiance was not passive — it was a deliberate act of resistance, reclamation, or rebellion.
Reclamation of Self or Story
She took ownership of her narrative, her body, her knowledge, or her community's legacy in the face of forces that sought to diminish, erase, or control her.
Significant Impact
Her actions had a measurable or deeply felt impact — whether on a personal, community, national, or global scale. Impact is not limited to fame; quiet revolutions count.
Embodiment of Sovereignty
She demonstrated an unshakeable sense of self-authority. Sovereignty here means the internal fire — the refusal to be defined by anyone else's terms.
Depth of Story
Her life offers enough documented or well-preserved oral history to support a rich, nuanced profile. We seek stories that can be told with the depth and respect they deserve.
What We Don't Focus On
While every woman's life has value, The Archive is specifically curated around themes of defiance and sovereignty. We generally do not focus on:
- Stories where the woman is primarily celebrated for her relationship to a man, rather than her own agency
- Figures whose primary legacy is compliance with, rather than challenge to, unjust systems
- Stories that cannot be told with sufficient depth or verified sources
How to Submit a Nomination
To nominate an icon for consideration, please send us the following:
- The icon's full name (and any known aliases)
- The era and region she was active in
- A brief explanation of why she fits the qualifying principles above
- Any known sources, references, or links to further reading
Review Process
Every nomination goes through a multi-step process: initial screening against our qualifying principles, deep research and source verification, narrative development, and a final ethos alignment review. This process ensures that each profile in The Archive meets our standards for accuracy, depth, and respectful representation.
Due to the depth of research involved, it may take time for nominated icons to appear in The Archive. We appreciate your patience.