Women of the Hour! (Womens Day Special)

“She has fire in her soul and grace in her heart.”Does this not define every woman you must have come across!  

The dictionary defines strong as someone who is able to lift heavy weights or perform physical tasks. It also defines someone who is able to withstand force or pressure. For me a strong woman is someone who is comfortable in her shoes, defining her own strength instead of adhering to the standards set by the society, owning her faith and confidence.

On this women’s day let’s get to know a few strong souls around the globe!

• Avani Chaturvedi

She became the first Indian woman to fly the MiG 21 Bison, a fighter pilot on February 19, 2018. Avani comes from a small town in Satna District, Madhya Pradesh. She surely has broken the barriers of gender equality in India and inspired many young women to pursue their dreams.

• Nirmala Sitharaman

She is the second woman to become the Defence Minister of India after Indira Gandhi on 3^rd September 2017, leading the strongest men of the country.

• Manushi Chhillar

On 18th November 2017, an Indian model born in 1997, who became the Sixth Indian to win the Miss World 2017 title.

• Katie Ledecky

A 5 time Olympic gold medallist and a 14 time world champion, Katie is a competitive swimmer.

She is named as:

1. Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year 2017
2. United States Olympic Committee Female Athlete of the Year 2017
3. Sportswoman of the Year 2017 by Women’s Sport Foundation

• Simone Askew

She is the first African-American woman to have grabbed the title of being the First Captain of the US Military Academy’s Corps of Cadet, setting an example for future women leaders. And guess what she is just 20 years old!

• Serena Williams

Won her 23^rd Grand Slam singles titles on 28^th January 2017 at the Australian Open. The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) has ranked her world No. 1 for over 15 years from 2002 to 2017 in singles. 

• Anshu Jamsenpa

Anshu Jamsenpa, a 32-year-old mountaineer and a mother of two, in May 2017, became the first woman in the world to scale Mount Everest Twice in a season. She also made the record of fastest double ascent by a woman to the world’s highest peak.

• Indian Hockey Team

The Indian women’s hockey team had a “Chak De” moment when they beat China to win Asia Cup title after 13 years. They have qualified for Hockey World Cup to be held in 2018.

• Mary Kom

The Five-Time World Amateur Boxing champion clinched her fifth Gold in November 2017 at the Asian Confederation Women’s Boxing Championship, being the only woman boxer to have won a medal in each one of the six world championships.

• Indra Nooyi

An Indian American business executive who is currently the Chairwoman and CEO of PepsiCo. PepsiCo is the giant in the world of food and beverage industry. In February 2018, the International Cricket Council announced that Nooyi would join the ICC Board as its first independent female director in June.

 

Women above have portrayed their undying spirit, confidence and badass leadership. I would like to quote Maya Angelou here....

"Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
‘Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me."

-Madhumita Kulkarni

Macmerise Creations LLP