10 fearless black female warriors who made their mark on history

Sanité Bélair

She was one of the few female soldiers who fought during the Haitian Revolution, initially as a Sergeant then later earning the rank of lieutenant.

Sanité ‘the tigress’ Bélair was a revolutionary and freedom fighter. She was born Suzanne Bélair in 1781 in Verrettes, now known as L’Artibonite.

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Bélair, along with her husband, Charles, spearheaded the uprising of the enslaved population of L’Artibonite against their masters.

Sanité and Charles were executed by firing squad in 1802. Despite their grim demise, the Bélairs are hailed as pivotal figures in the Haitian Revolution.