Gutsy. Strong-willed. Fabulous. These are the kind of women I meet often enough thanks to my career
Andrea Costabir: Editor, Savvy and Savvy Fashion & Glamour
Salutes: Jessica Cox
Who is she: First armless woman to fly an airplane
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Gutsy. Strong-willed. Fabulous. These are the kind of women I meet often enough thanks to my career. Yet, Jessica was extra special because she decided she was going to be "Superwoman", despite being born armless.u00a0
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Jessica is an ace swimmer, gymnast, tap dancer, has a black belt in taekwondo and even drives a car with her feet. She has also mastered the art of using her armless frame to fly.u00a0 Jessica had said, "It is critical that we love and accept ourselves for who we are and be proud of that.u00a0 I hope all women can have self-acceptance and celebrate who they really are. We also need to face our fears and not allow them to stand in the way of our opportunities."
Neena Haridas: Editor, Marie Claire indiaSalutes: Aradhana Gupta
Who is she: Fought for her friend, molestation victim Ruchikau00a0 Girhotra
It takes a lot of courage and loyalty to stand by a friend who is no more and go through it from the time she was 13 years old, for almost 19 years. I don't think most of us would have the patience or the courage to do it.
Aradhana has tremendous individuality to take the cause forward to this extent and actually see that it reaches the logical end. She is an example for most modern women. Aradhana has proven not just the power of friendship but of womanhood too.
Barkha Dutt: Television journalist
Salutes: Irom Sharmila
Who is she: On a protest against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act with a hunger strike for 10 years
Irom Sharmila has stood by the principle of non-violence in a world shadowed by terrorism and violence. She has now been on a fast for 10 years, unsung and unnoticed by the media, except for token anniversary commemora-tions. Whether or not you agree with the need to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, you have to admire her quiet courage. Other than Irom, I have always admired women who live in the shadow of conflict, such as like soldiers' wives or residents of conflict-ridden areas in the Northeast and Jammu and Kashmir. They are not seen at the frontlines, but they are the ones who hold homes together.
Amelia Earhart (born July 24, 1897; missing July 2, 1937; declared legally dead January 5, 1939), aviation pioneer, US
Amelia Earhart was the first aviatrix to undertake a solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean. She helped organise female pilots and inspired many to take up aviation. She disappeared over the Pacific Ocean whileu00a0 trying to circumnavigate the globe.
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