Why she's so miserable: Raped by her (step)father as a child, Celie gives birth to two children by him, both of whom are taken from her. She's then married off against her will to an older man who abuses her emotionally and physically and tries to have his way with her beloved younger sister (who's escaped their father's attentions). Her sister then leaves and Celie believes her dead. Oh, and she also lives in a racist society where her real father was lynched.

Why she's inspiring: Despite having been victimised for her entire life, Celie eventually learns to stand up for herself, finding love with a woman called Shug and eventually becoming strong enough to force her husband to accept her as an equal (or at least someone he has no right to break). She also lives long enough to be reunited with her sister and lost children.