International Women's Day: Trailblazers who aimed for nothing short of stars

Long before equality, inclusion and diversity became common concepts, and women could actively demand for space in sectors dominated by males, there is a group that stood out. Their voices and deeds represented what their fellow women desired. There were many barriers that blocked them from reaching their goals, but they pressed on. They stand out in their various fields, including arts, research, politics, sports, entrepreneurship and human rights. Even though this list is not exhaustive, it samples out some of the pioneer women who became trailblazers at a time when they were constantly reminded that they needed to take a back seat. We look at their contributions in various fields and lessons they learnt as they charted the way for other women.