In early September 1533, Anne Boleyn was supposed to be getting ready to give the King a son. The birth of a son would justify the actions Henry VIII had taken—setting aside his first wife, going against the wishes of most of his ministers, breaking with the Pope, and establishing himself as Supreme Head of the Church of England. Henry believed God would reward these actions by giving him the son he had wished for since he came to the throne almost 25 years previously.

It seemed God had other plans.

Anne must have realized in that moment that, however she doted on and showered gifts on her little girl, she had failed in her quest to give the King a son. Mother and daughter faced incredible challenges the day Elizabeth was born. Their determination, as well as the fierce and feisty natures they possessed, would guide them through challenges and take them to very different ends.

Mother and daughter lived in different times and played different roles. But their decisions seem connected to me in this way: they made their own way in the world, defying expectations and claiming their power in the ways they could. In Anne Boleyn’s case, it meant holding out for marriage. In Elizabeth’s case, it meant holding out against marriage. In both cases, it meant holding out, and holding on to an inner power and control. Anne Boleyn lost her life because her husband ultimately held the power. Elizabeth was the longest-reigning Tudor and oldest monarch when she died. Perhaps not having a husband was part of that outcome.

History shows us what's possible.