In the 1940s when Ruby Payne Scott went to university she was the only girl in her class. Back then, you could count the number of female physicists in the entire country on one hand. Ruby was super smart but she struggled to get a job because blokes thought women belonged at home. Not Ruby — she once used a bent coat hanger, some plugs and a few bits and bobs to tune in to the noises of the galaxy — something nobody had ever done before. It’s no wonder she went on to become one of Australia’s most outstanding physicists. Narrated by robotics whiz Marita Cheng.

When Edith Cowan was a girl, her mum died and her father was sentenced to death for murder. She knew hardship ... and it drove her to get a better deal for women and children who were then treated like second class citizens.

She took her fight all the way to Parliament House in Perth when she became the very first woman in Australia to be elected. If you turn over a 50 dollar note, you’ll see Edith’s strong and determined face staring right back at you.

Narrated by the mighty journalist Leigh Sales.

When she was just four years old, Nancy Bird-Walton already knew what she wanted to do with her life — fly. She saved her pocket money to pay for lessons and her own aeroplane ... and before long people were paying her to fly them across the country.

Nancy was the first woman in Australia to get paid to be a pilot. Today, the A380 is the biggest passenger plane in the world — and if you look into the sky you might just see one that’s called Nancy Bird-Walton.

Narrated by singer and producer Kate Miller-Heidke.

Daisy Bindi couldn't understand why her boss paid wages to the white workers, but not to her. She was no different to them. And neither were all the other Aboriginal workers who were being treated like slaves.

In 1946 Daisy decided enough was enough. She helped lead a three-year strike which won Aboriginal workers fairer pay and better working conditions.

Narrated by singer, actor and radio presenter Christine Anu.

Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are advised that the following episode of Fierce Girls contains the names of people who have died.

Not so long ago girls weren't allowed to swim in the same pool as boys let alone compete in the Olympics. Girls weren't even taught how to swim freestyle! Best friends Fanny Durack and Mina Wylie weren't standing for it. They were great swimmers and wanted the chance to swim for Australia. 

Sports fans agreed and took to the streets to protest until finally the rules were changed, and Fanny and Mina competed at the 1912 Olympic Games in Sweden.

Narrated by the fiercest of the fierce Turia Pitt.

When Pamela Lyndon Travers was a little girl her aunt came to stay. She was rather strict, but kind at heart, and carried with her a seemingly bottomless bag made of carpet. P.L Travers had the memory of this aunt swirling around in her imagination when she sat down to write a book, and before she knew it Mary Poppins flew onto the page. The magical nanny who could talk to animals and use her umbrella to fly, became one of the most loved and famous characters of all time.

Narrated by TV presenter Lisa Wilkinson.

If there’s something that makes Ronni Kahn's blood boil, it’s seeing good food thrown on the scrap heap. Ronni is the foodie Robin Hood — she rescues tasty treats bound for the bin and gives them to the hungry. The "queen of leftovers" has had to move mountains to get politicians and business owners to agree to stop wasting perfectly edible food. And it’s been worth the effort — Ronni has saved 80 million meals!

As a little girl, Catherine Freeman had one dream — to go to the Olympic Games. Luckily, she could run fast. Really fast. So fast, she not only went to the Olympics, she won a Gold medal in the 400m race in Sydney! When she sprinted across the finish line ahead of everyone else, she carried the hopes of the nation. And during her victory lap, she carried both the Aboriginal and Australian flags, symbolising her pride in her First Nations heritage.

Narrated by Australian Netball champion and #TeamGirls ambassador Laura Geitz.