According to Wikipedia, this is a woman who holds in her own right the title to such duchy or dukedom, or is the wife of a duke, is normally styled duchess.  Wow, “a woman who holds her own right to the title.”  Break it down a little further…..”a woman who holds her own.”  That’s pretty empowering stuff.  Let’s think about this woman who holds her own.  This is a woman that is independent, self-preserving, motivated, focused, and willing to fight for what is rightfully hers.  This is a woman that can be independently free from a man, but can stand side by side.  After all, Eve was taken from Adam’s side, his rib.  Therefore, not to stand behind, but beside her partner.

“I, with a deeper instinct, choose a man who compels my strength, who makes enormous demands on me, who does not doubt my courage or my toughness, who does not believe me naive or innocent, who has the courage to treat me like a woman.” – Anais Nin

Here are a few pictures of some famous Duchesses: