These female trailblazers of India have changed India’s landscape despite gender stereotypes
Although India is a nation renowned for its cultural variety, some outstanding women have had a profound influence on society there. These women leaders have broken down gender stereotypes, questioned social mores, and helped India advance in several different areas.
These female trailblazers of India have left a lasting legacy and continue to influence future generations, whether they are businesswomen, politicians, social activists, or athletes. The top 10 female activists who have altered India’s landscape and left a lasting imprint on its history will be discussed in greater detail in this article.
1. Indira Gandhi
As India’s first and only female prime minister, Indira Gandhi served from 1947 to 1949. From 1966 to 1977 and then again from 1980 until her murder in 1984, she was the prime minister of the country. Nationalizing banks, doing away with princes’ privy purses, and implementing a system of planned economic growth were just a few of the reforms she implemented during her time in office.
2. Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa, a Catholic woman, started the Missionaries of Charity, a group of people committed to helping the underprivileged. She devoted the majority of her time to serving the sick, elderly, and needy in India. In 1979, she received the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her charitable efforts.
3. Kiran Bedi
The first woman to enter the Indian Police Service in 1972 was retired officer Kiran Bedi. She held several positions throughout her tenure, including those of Delhi’s Inspector General of Prisons and Director General of the Bureau of Police Research and Development. She is renowned for her work advancing women’s rights and for her attempts to change the Indian prison system.
4. Kalpana Chawla
The first lady of Indian descent to travel to space, astronaut Kalpana Chawla was an American. Her tragic death occurred during the spacecraft’s re-entry in 2003 after serving as a mission expert on the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997 and again. Millions of women and girls in India and other countries looked up to her as a role model.
5. Mary Kom
Mary Kom is the only female boxer to have medaled in each of the six world championships and a five-time World Amateur Boxing winner. She also took home bronze at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and silver at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Mary Kom is a representation of tenacity and strength, and her accomplishments have encouraged numerous females to take up boxing.
6. Chanda Kochhar
The biggest private sector bank in India, ICICI Bank, formerly had Chanda Kochhar as its CEO and Managing Director. She started working for the firm in 1984 and eventually rose to become its CEO in 2009. She oversaw the bank’s growth during her time there and launched several ground-breaking goods and services.
7. Arundhati Roy
Writer, campaigner, and filmmaker Arundhati Roy is renowned for her advocacy of social justice and human rights. The God of Small Things, a highly acclaimed book that won the Booker Prize in 1997, was written by her. On topics like environmentalism, democracy, and war, she has also published several essays and books.
8. Saina Nehwal
Badminton player Saina Nehwal has won multiple national and international championships, as well as the bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics. She has also twice taken home the gold title from the Asian Games and the gold from the Commonwealth Games. She serves as an inspiration for young females who want to succeed in sports.
9. Lata Mangeshkar
Legendary Indian playback vocalist Lata Mangeshkar has over 30,000 songs recorded in a variety of languages. She is hailed as one of the greatest singers in Indian film history and has received numerous honors and awards for her musical achievements.
10. Medha Patka
Indian social activist Medha Patkar is well-known for her work on problems about social justice, the environment, and human rights. She has led the charge in numerous campaigns and movements, such as the Narmada Bachao Andolan, and has won numerous honors for her advocacy.
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