11 trailblazing women who make International Women’s Day a global celebration

You may have often heard in discussions and conversations that women break barriers and challenge stereotypes. And that is no cliché. There are so many inspiring women around us who empower others through their hard work in a society that is often pitted against them. Whether it is science or social activism, many remarkable women have broken barriers and set the path for generations to come.

International Women’s Day, that is celebrated on March 8th, is dedicated to appreciate women’s achievements in the social, economic, cultural and political fields. This day honours their invaluable contribution to society.

Join us as we celebrate the achievements of some of these women who do us proud.

Jane Goodall

Jane Goodall is a renowned English primatologist and anthropologist. She is known for her research on chimpanzees in Tanzania. Her life’s work has helped us understand primate behaviour better along with the interconnectedness of humans and animals. Goodall’s contribution to wildlife conservation and animal welfare has inspired the younger generation to protect endangered species and their habitats.

Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi

Rani Lakshmibai, also known as the Rani of Jhansi, was the queen consort of Jhansi in the Maratha Empire. She was a fearless warrior and leader who fought during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. She bravely fought the British and led her army into battle to defend her kingdom against oppression. Till date, Rani Lakshmibai’s bravery and sacrifice symbolises the spirit of courage in India’s struggle for independence.

Bhakti Sharma

Bhakti Sharma is a record-breaking Indian swimmer who has conquered some of the world’s most challenging waters. She holds the distinction of being the youngest woman to swim in the Antarctic Ocean. She has swum in all five oceans and across eight seas and channels and has been awarded the prestigious Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award. Her determination and courage have inspired future athletes, especially women, to break records and barriers, just like her!

Pooja Thakur

Flight Lieutenant Pooja Thakur made history by becoming the first woman officer from the IAF to lead the Guard of Honor for a visiting foreign dignitary (then US president Barack Obama) at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the year 2015. She was also a part of India’s first women sky diving team. Her achievements highlight the increasing participation of women in India’s armed forces and definitely shatters gender stereotypes in a male dominant field.

Dutee Chand

Known as the fastest Indian woman, Dutee Chand is a professional sprinter and a 100m national record holder. She is also known for challenging discriminatory gender policies in athletics. Despite facing obstacles, she became the first Indian female athlete to qualify for the 100 metres in the Olympics and is a double Olympian. Apart from being a sportsperson, she has sparked important conversations about gender equality in sports and continues to inspire young athletes to pursue their dreams.

Tulsi Gowda

Tulsi Gowda hails from Honnali village in Karnataka and is known as the Encyclopaedia of Forests. She has dedicated her life to preserving traditional knowledge of medicinal plants and biodiversity in the Western Ghats—and has planted more than 30,000 trees in order to keep the environment safe. Gowda works tirelessly to save our old ways of living and teaches people how to utilise gifts of nature wisely.

Ahilyabai Holkar

Ahilyabai Holkar was a powerful queen and ruler of the Maratha Empire in the 18th century. After the death of her husband, she became the queen of Malwa. She is remembered today for her administrative skills, visionary leadership and philanthropic work. Holkar’s legacy includes the construction of numerous temples, forts and public works projects. She is also well known for her efforts to promote social welfare and religious harmony in her kingdom.

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is an Indian entrepreneur and the founder of Biocon Limited, a biotechnology company based in Bengaluru. She is recognised as a leading businesswoman and innovator in the field of biotechnology the world over. In fact, Mazumdar-Shaw has played a significant role in shaping India’s biotechnology industry and has received numerous awards and honours for her contributions to science.

Avani Chaturvedi

Flying Officer Avani Chaturvedi made history as the first Indian woman to fly a fighter aircraft, the MiG-21 Bison solo. She achieved this milestone while serving in the Indian Air Force, breaking gender barriers by doing so. A Sukhoi-30 fighter pilot, Chaturvedi’s several achievements have motivated countless young women across India to pursue careers in aviation and defence.

Kalpana Chawla

Kalpana Chawla was an Indian-American astronaut and the first woman of Indian origin to travel into space. She pursued her dream of becoming an astronaut and earned a Master of Science degree in aerospace engineering. She then joined NASA and flew on the space shuttle Columbia in 1997 as a mission specialist. Her legacy continues to drive aspiring astronauts around the world.

Margaret Thatcher

Margaret Thatcher was the first female prime minister of the United Kingdom. Due to her uncompromising leadership and political style, she earned the nickname of ‘The Iron Lady’. During her tenure as a prime minister, Britain saw several economic and social reforms. Her policies left a lasting impact on British politics and society.

These women with their courage and achievements empower the younger generation, decade after decade. Through their determination, they challenged stereotypes and paved the way for progress for womankind. As we celebrate their legacies, let us remember to support women’s empowerment in our communities and strive towards a future where they can thrive.