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For a long time now, the world has been a male-dominated playground where a lot of professions have been reserved for the male species alone to date. From a boardroom meeting to ivy sports leagues, men have been proving their mettle in these fields, while women were ignored or considered incapable of handling many of these jobs with the age-old cliché mentality “She is just a woman”. While women have recently started standing up for equal rights and equal opportunities, a lot of women have faced the heat to prove themselves and build careers in a lot of these male-dominated arenas and have emerged as winners, paving the way for a lot more women to follow.
On this International Women’s day, PromptCloud would like to salute these women who have rebelled against the pre-defined gender stereotypes and broken multiple barriers to reach the position they are in today.
Let’s have a look at these role models who have lit a thousand dreams in the eyes of many and are a source of tremendous inspiration for everyone.
1. Angela Merkel-
1. Germany’s first female chancellor, Angela, has remained at the top of Forbes’s most powerful women list for 5 years now. Since her introduction to the political office in 2005, she has won many awards for great political work and her party’s progression. She has led Germany through its economic and social prosperity commendably and has catapulted the women’s role in politics to greater heights with such great standards.
2. Susan Wojcicki–
2. The CEO of YouTube and a powerful role model for all women in tech, Susan is a strong believer in creating equal opportunities for women in technology. At the recent Grace Hopper Celebration, she was caught saying “Unless we make a change today, the future of tech will look like just it does today”, referring to the current imbalanced gender gap in one of the largest growing economic and social shift of the century. Now here is a woman striving to revolutionize the technology fields and bring in a more feminine perspective.
3. Janet Yellen–
3. There was a time when banks were defined as home to men in suits. Janet Yellen created history by becoming the first woman head of the Federal Reserve. Nominated by President Obama, Janet Yellen took over her chair in October 2013 and since then created limitless possibilities for women dreaming of making it big in the banking sector. She is a powerful role model for women in the states and across the globe.
4. Col. Jeannie Flynn Leavitt-
4. Col. Jeannie Flynn Leavitt-Col. Jeannie Flynn Leavitt has been breaking gender stereotypes in the aviation industry for nearly two decades. From becoming the first female fighter pilot to the first female wing commander, she has been rewriting rules for girls who wish to join the air force, giving wings to their desires to fly planes which were considered to be only the boys’ toys. Merit and passion do fly higher than stereotypes in this case, doesn’t it?
5. Erin DiMeglio–
To change the gender bias, we have to change the system from the root level. Schools, for example, should teach not to discriminate between genders. Erin has emerged as one clear winner against gender-based stereotyping by becoming the first female quarterback in the Florida Boys’ high school football team, playing in a regular-season game. She plays tough and fair and we are sure she is going to win many laurels for her team. Way to go, Erin!
6. Kristen Titus–
6. The executive director of Girls Who Code, Kristen has been creating a high impact against gender imbalances in the tech world. She aims to introduce teenage girls to the field of computer science so they can create a career for themselves in one of the highest growing job sectors. She is committed to closing the gender gap in the industry in the years to come.
7. Chanda Kochhar-
7. Chanda Kochhar-Chanda Kochhar, the CEO and MD of ICICI Bank–the largest private bank in India is living proof that hard work always pays off. An inspiration to all the women in the banking industry, Chanda joined ICICI as a management trainee in 1984 and rose through the levels of hierarchy quickly. She believes merit speaks for itself and no special privileges should be given to anyone based on their gender. Way to go, Ms Kochhar, we hear you!
8. Amy Mainzer-
8. Amy Mainzer-An American astronomer, Amy specializes in astrophysical instrumentation and infrared astronomy. She is a role model for many women who wish to excel in the sciences, especially the field of astronomy. She is currently the Principal Investigator for the NEOWISE project to study minor planets and is well on her path to discover exciting stuff beyond the stars. Oh, and did we mention she has an asteroid named after her too?
9. Megan Knowles-Bacon-
9. She is just 22 years old, and she is already creating magic–literally! Megan Knowles-Bacon has become the first woman to be induced in the highly respected and private organization of some of the best magicians in the world–The Magic Circle. She is definitely creating ripples in the male populated industry of magicians and has gathered a huge fan base for herself. She has exemplified that when girls put their passion and dreams together, they can work wonders!
10. Becky Hammon–
10. Ever seen a female coach? Becky is defying all restrictions and barriers and has become the first female full-time assistant coach in the history of NBA for the San Antonio Spurs in 2015. Though she has been hired for her IQ and knowledge of the game, we sure look forward to seeing more poise and elegance at the next spurs game!
All these women and many more have proven that they cannot be restricted or stereotyped. They put their passion and hard work together and now inspire many such ambitious women, stating it loud and clear–It is time to break the gender stereotypes.
