Shirin Ebadi made history by becoming the first Muslim woman to be granted a Nobel Prize. Ebadi is from Iran and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003 for her groundbreaking role in advancing democracy and human rights with a focus on women’s rights, children’s rights, and refugees’ rights. Ebadi not only made history by becoming the first Iranian to be granted a Nobel Prize, but she also made history by becoming the first Muslim woman to be granted a Nobel Prize.
Quick note: Malala Yousafzai (2014) is often cited as the youngest Nobel laureate, but Shirin Ebadi was the first Muslim woman recipient.