Before mothers like American pop artist Beyoncé and New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern were running the world, these ten trailblazing moms were wielding power, building nations, and challenging the status quo throughout history.

Sometimes being a mom requires drastic measures to do what’s best for the family—like raising an army, escaping from tyranny, or even getting a kid ahead in life with some betrayal and murder. Regardless of the era, motherhood is hard work. Here’s our list of 10 hustling moms from history.

Rulers in ancient Egypt were male by default, but one woman changed all that. After Pharaoh Thutmose II died in 1479 B.C., Queen Hatshepsut’s two-year-old stepson was named heir, and she became regent. At least,