From ancient philosophy to modern sport.
Savitribai Phule
1831–1897 · Naigaon, Maharashtra, India
She opened India's first school for girls — while villagers threw stones at her.
Gargi Vachaknavi
700 BCE · Videha (now Mithila), India
She walked into a hall of 1,000 male scholars and dared to debate the nature of the universe.
Mirabai
1498–1547 · Merta, Rajasthan, India
A princess who gave up her palace, her reputation, and her life for the freedom to love as she chose.
Ahilyabai Holkar
1725–1795 · Chondi, Maharashtra, India
Widowed at 29, she became the queen who built temples across India and personally sat as judge every day.
Kalpana Chawla
1962–2003 · Karnal, Haryana, India
From a small town in Haryana, she flew to space — twice.
Mary Kom
1983–present · Kangathei, Manipur, India
6× World Boxing Champion. Mother of three. From a village with no electricity in Manipur.
Sudha Murthy
1950–present · Shiggaon, Karnataka, India
She applied for a job at Tata Motors with a postcard. The job board said "for men only." She didn't care.