Our own pioneer, Charlotte Maxeke, was studying in the United States of America during this turbulent time. She was studying for a Bachelor of Science degree, which she obtained in 1901, and subsequently returned to her mother country, South Africa. She organised women and became the first president of the Bantu Women's League, which was the precursor to the ANC Women's League. In 1913, she led women's protests in the Free State, resisting attempts by the colonial government to impose passes on women. These women burned passes in front of their municipal offices, a courageous act of defiance at a time when the white male-only government of the Union of South Africa was consolidating its authority under General Louis Botha. Charlotte Maxeke was also instrumental in organising South African women's participation in International Women's Day activities.