Page 20 - Slide 1

Women- The Torchbearers of Past, The Leaders of Present.

The world we envision today constitutes a society where equality is the driving force. We see

people going to educational institutions, we find all the genders taking active participation in
job opportunities. We all would agree, that there is still a long way to go to bring the changes in

a complete manner but we have done quite a lot of work on that. Throughout history, women

have played an essential role in shaping the course of societies, cultures, and nations. From

quietly influencing their communities to leading transformative movements, women have
always been present as crucial torchbearers of progress and change. Today, as leaders in various

fields, they continue to drive innovations, challenge societal norms, and strive for equality.

Understanding the journey of women throughout time helps us appreciate their immense
contributions to the world.

Imagine a world where the only opportunity given to a woman was to become a good

homemaker. The only work they were thought capable of performing well was sewing,
managing household chores and raising children. We have had phenomenal female writers using

male pseudonyms to let their talents shine. The common myth that only the works written by

male authors would fit into the parameter of good work was broken by a great number of female

authors. Mary Ann Evans used a male pseudonym, George Eliot, to write works which England
and the entire world would consider classics. It shows that artistic output does not work in the

shackles of gender norms.

When we talk of the greatest institutions of the world like Oxford University or Cambridge
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University, women were not allowed to take education there till 19 century. Still they broke all
shackles and became the brightest star. In many historical contexts, women were often

relegated to secondary roles in public life. However, their influence was far-reaching, even
when they were forced to operate within the confines of limited visibility and power. History

will always be indebted to the contributions made by women, be it St. Joan of Arc, Florence

Nightingale or Smt. Indira Gandhi.

When World War I happened and men were on the war fighting for their country, women took

command of bringing the wounded soldiers to their feet again. Women belonging to different

sections of society helped sometimes in the form of war-vehicle drivers, sometimes as nurse and

sometimes as hostesses converting their home into inns for providing warmth and meals to
soldiers and the common masses.