Joan of Arc rates #1 for me.She was able to convince 50,000 men to follow her banner into battle.She did this by force of personality alone.She defeated the strongest power at the time,England at the battle of Orleans.By doing this she united the various kingdoms and formed the country of France that we know today,and thereby ending the 100 year war between France and England.She did this at the age of only 17.She also proved to the world that women can be leaders in a time(15th century)when most peole assumed that women were meant to stay at home,and be subserviant to men.She was truly a heroine.