Virginia Woolf is a prominent figure known for challenging societal expectations of women through her literary works. Her novels, such as "Mrs. Dalloway" and "To the Lighthouse," explore the inner lives and complexities of female characters, defying traditional narrative structures and gender norms. Woolf's feminist essays, including "A Room of One's Own," advocate for women's independence and the necessity of their voices in literature and society. By addressing the limitations imposed on women, she opened doors for future generations of female writers and thinkers, establishing her legacy as a pioneer of modernist literature.