Gone are the days when women of the world sat back, tucked their hair behind their ear and flashed a reluctant smile in the face of patriarchy. Women are as fierce as they were expected not to be. They carve their identity with words made of steel and actions so powerful they kick the so called ‘rule-book’ to the curb.
The kind of beauty these women possess has nothing to do with how pretty they look and everything to do with the seat they have reserved for themselves at every table in the world. With a map made solely by themselves and one that possesses a hundred pit stops along the way, here’s a list of women who inspire us to be exactly who we are and nothing short of that!
Taylor Swift
What is it that really sets this country girl apart from the pop icons of today? What makes her less girl-next-door and more woman-of-the-hour? It isn’t just the powered-up lyrics that tend to throw shade on all her haters, and it definitely isn’t just her red-lipped smile paired with the playful bangs that frame her face. No, this pop music sensation has more up her sleeve than the heart she always wears on it. Along with breaking the charts with every new release, Taylor Swift bagged a spot on the 2019 Forbes Power Women list. Tay used her fame from the groundbreaking stadium tour for her album ‘Reputation’ to get people to vote for the November midterm elections. The result? Over 65,000 voter registrations in just 24 hours! With a dedicated documentary made by Netflix that adds another feather to her hat, it’s safe to say that this superstar is too busy dancing to get knocked off her feet!
Masaba Gupta
Age is just a number but when it comes to building a career, there aren’t many names who started off in their teenage years and are now way ahead in the game. One of these few names is Masaba Gupta – a fashion designer and businesswoman at heart and in theory. “I want to be the Tory Burch of India — never once moving from my aesthetic, but offering a story and putting a print on whatever I can,” Masaba says in a 2019 interview with The Hindu. Laying down her path beautifully and strategically, this master of prints in the Indian fashion industry has collaborated to create stunning pieces with some of the top retail players globally. With an eye to recognize exactly what her audience needs to see at any given point in time, Masaba Gupta has excelled unstoppably even after being under the radar of the sometimes ruthless paparazzi!
Michelle Obama
“Just try new things, Don’t be afraid. Step out of your comfort zones and soar. All right?” There has never been a moment in time when the former First Lady of the United States didn’t inspire us to put our best foot forward. Michelle Obama’s Becoming perfectly narrates her rise from black middle class Chicago to Princeton and Harvard, her marriage to Barack Obama and everything beyond. Already standing tall as one of the best speakers America has ever seen, she is just as easily imaginable as a presidential candidate. From making the White House warm and inclusive, to actively partaking in social causes, raising two daughters to be their humblest selves and always being the subject of the media for all the right reasons – she does it all and she does it well. A safe haven for women and the black community around the globe, Michelle Obama has been a ray of sunshine in times of great political indecisiveness.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas
This Desi Girl’s life has been a roller-coaster that you just can’t miss! Her career took a sharp turn when she was crowned Miss World in 2000 and she hit the accelerator with an untethered determination, halting only when she reached Hollywood. She dared to dream of a place where the chances of bagging a role seemed bleak to many and that is what made her her in a time where individuality wasn’t very close to being embraced. The exploration of every possible avenue plays a key role in Priyanka Chopra’s uprising. Her mantra “When life gives you lemons, make grape juice. Then, sit back and let people wonder how you did it,” truly does make us sit back in awe and wonder – how did she do it?
Meryl Streep
A string of nominations and a bag full of prestigious awards later, Meryl Streep is and has been a Hollywood legend who leaves no stone unturned when it comes to acting. She is known to swiftly move from one role to another, each one better and bigger than the former. If there’s one thing we’ve learnt by pitting the characteristics of on-screen Meryl and off-screen Meryl against each other, it’s this; she plays different parts in both of these worlds, and she plays them effortlessly. She’s a wife, a mother, an activist and most of all – a dreamer. If this isn’t relatable enough for the women of today, then we wouldn’t know what is! Even after decades of acting and winning over Tinseltown with her skills, Meryl Streep has consistently avoided giving in to the film industry standards of ‘perfection’. At 70 years old, she still stands tall with all her quirks and perfect imperfections. Just like fine wine, Streep keeps getting better with age. That’s all.
Mithali Raj
Everyday is a chance to get better for the captain of Indian Women’s National Cricket Team. Hailing from an army background, discipline and dedication runs in her veins. Even though she is referred to as one of the greatest batsmen of the current era, Mithali Raj’s extraordinary traits lie in her being ordinary – just like the everyday girl. In a 2016 interview with The Cricket Monthly, Leena Raj describes her daughter saying, “Even today, she is bad at routes, terrible at registering names. If I give her a list of things to do, chances are she will forget half of it.” More often than not, the most human and natural traits of influential figures are hidden under the veil of perfection. But this cricket star inspires us all by her on-pitch skills and of course, by being herself unapologetically. Now, how’s that for a winning stroke?
Ellen DeGeneres
When the queen of wit takes center stage, you know there’s nothing else you’d rather do but listen to her deliver one punchline after another. Ellen DeGeneres’ fame comes not only from her being the host of one of the most legendary chat shows of all time, but also for the work she put into the gay rights movement. Ellen’s road to glory was filled with more twists than one can count, but fast forward to the present day scenario – Ellen DeGeneres is now a household name. Rock bottom has been a familiar place for Ed, but she probably shrugged her shoulders and climbed her way out by never taking it too seriously. If there is one key takeaway from the comedy queen’s wise words, it’s this – “Accept who you are. Unless you’re a serial killer.” Well, we can’t be sued for agreeing to this, right?
Sudha Murthy
If we could count the amount of times women have been told they weren’t a fit for Engineering, we would probably go on for days at end. Breaking this barrier and paying no heed to the stereotype, Sudha Murthy bloomed in a seemingly unwelcome academic environment. Chairperson of the Infosys Foundation, she is one of the driving forces for women’s education in India. Always seen in a perfectly draped cotton saree and a bindi that exudes grace, she is the epitome of ordinary living with extraordinary values. By means of books, speeches, and other mediums that can reach young girls and women alike, Sudha Murthy’s attempts to impart knowledge and share experiences are endless. The world of luxury never appealed to her as it might to someone as successful as her. A homemaker, philanthropist, author and engineer; Sudha Murthy’s legacy sets an example for women all around the globe.
Serena Williams
Any list featuring the best tennis players of all time is incomplete without Serena Williams’ name on it. We’re not the first ones to say this; the scoreboard is. Delivering one smashing performance after another comes naturally to her, and so does dressing up like a fierce diva while she’s at it. This skillful tennis star commands attention everywhere she goes; whether it’s on the tennis field or on the cover of an A-List magazine. In the span of her ongoing career, Williams has come face to face with severe injuries, tabloid gossip, unnecessary controversies and bad game days but she always sprung back stronger than ever. In the game of hit or miss, Serena Williams’ confidence and passion has always been the top-scorer.
Pooja Dhingra
Pooja Dhingra’s recipe of a perfect patisserie chain includes a 1/4th spoon of law school to realize she didn’t belong, the taste of 1 exquisitely coloured macaron from a confectionery, and 1 whole cup of trial and error! Mixed well and topped off with innovation and dedication – the end result was Le 15 Patisserie, a go-to dessert place for the people of Mumbai. The Macaron Lady’s path wasn’t one without trials that mostly stemmed from being a part of a male dominated society. Pooja Dhingra was only 6 when she was introduced to baking, so her excellence in the field of sweet treats can be traced back to her childhood. Taking her time to figure out the one game changing recipe that would turn the masses into loyal customers, she has emerged as one of the most successful pastry chefs seen by India. Setting goals for herself at every step of the way, Pooja Dhingra’s journey is as dreamy as her red velvet cupcakes are delicious!
Finally, here’s our checklist of the 6 most inspiring and empowering fictional women of all time.
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