Empress Theodora Feminist

Empress Theodora was one of the most influential women of her time. Her husband, Emperor Justinian I, listened to her advice regarding political decisions in the empire. She essentially co-ruled with Justinian, aiding in the rights for women by outlining their rights and expanding upon them. In this way, she was somewhat like an early feminist. During her service to her country as empress, Theodora protected the rights of the serfs and poor. She attended to the rights of prostitutes in particular by closing brothels, creating safe spaces for women, and passing laws to prohibit forced prostitution (presently known as rape). Additionally, she passed laws that expanded the rights of women in divorce and redacted an unfair law that had allowed women to be put to death for committing adultery. Finally, she protected persecuted Monophysites, building churches that served as refuges.
She was born on the edge of the empire with a father who was, according to some sources, an animal trainer. After his death, Theodora became an actress to support her family (History Channel). During this time, being an actress was scandalous—being an actress was synonymous with being a prostitute—but Theodora took every opportunity to move up in the class system. When she was 16, she traveled to Alexandria, Egypt, where she became a member of Monophysitism, the belief that Jesus Christ was wholly divine. Theodora converted, renouncing her former career and lifestyle. She was a prostitute, but she gave that up to become a