As we celebrate International Working Women’s week, we took a walk down the hall of famous women across the world, who sent a strong message of self-identification of womanhood, unconventional femininity, and independence to the world. They’re beautiful, willful, witty, intelligent, and above all, independent women. Scroll down to see our favorite picks for this year’s women’s day celebration.
Frida Kahlo
Frida Kahlo was one of the greatest artists from Mexico and also of her time. She was born with polio which caused one of her legs to grow shorter than the other one. She struggled with her insecurity as a child by covering her legs with high hem dresses, but her father, who believed in her said, she should not shy away
from her physical disability, as long as, her spirit is alive. An encouraged Frida then set out on a journey to find her footing in the world and she landed in love with an artist by the name Alejandro Gomez Arias. But luck be an old lady for Frida, as she met with a tragic bus accident while traveling with Alejandro to an
art fest. The accident left her in a great deal of pain physiologically. Her hip, spine, and pelvis were damaged to a point of no repair. During her recovery days, she grew closer to painting – a medium she used to express her grief and pain of being physically damaged. An even more encouraged Frida was thus blooming into an unusual artist the world will never forget. Her paintings were so striking for art lovers that they went on to label her work as “Surreal”. Besides, this Frida was also a gender revolutionary. She sported a slight mustache and thick eyebrows to acknowledge that women have facial hair and should not be subjected to beauty standard decided by someone else for a woman. Frida and her artworks are examples of strength and courage derived from intense physical pain, but that didn’t stop her from taking the leap of faith – to be the world’s most renowned fine artist!
Bhanu Rekha
Born to a famous a producer Gemini Ganeshan and actress Pusvapalli, Bhanu Rekha lived most of her childhood struggling to find a father figure after her parents divorced. At a time when kids enjoy their childhood, Rekha, being the eldest daughter had to take up some severe responsibility towards her financially drowning family. At the age of 13, she was exposed to the crudeness of the film industry. She was often panned for her dark skin tone by directors and as a child, it only discouraged her to go ahead with her careers in film. She left her education mid-way while she wanted to study and become a doctor. But due to the constant unfavorable conditions at home, she had to give up on her dreams. But, all of this grief lasted until the early ’70s when Bhanu Rekha hit the silver screen of Bollywood as a transformed actress. A new version of Rekha’s beauty was becoming the talk of the town and every producer and director was signing her up. She currently lives in her home in Bandra with her two pets after two failed marriages and an alleged incomplete love-affair with Big B. No matter what, Rekha is simply the best example of a strong, independent woman who still chooses to live her life on her own terms. She is India’s diva and she forever will be known as legendary for the extravagant characters she played in Indian cinemas!
Sushmita Sen
Sushmita Sen was just 19 when she was crowned as Miss Universe 2000. Hailing from a middle-class Bengali family, she didn’t have the financial resources to put together a pageant dress. Her mother sewed her a gown, which she wore in the pageant. But as we all know it wasn’t just the dress that got her the title, since
Sushmita has been anything but vain. She has been an inspiration for women of different ages. This lady is a one-man army who stops at nothing. Whether it is winning the title of Miss Universe at the age of 19, fighting against the system to bring home her first daughter, Renee at the age of 25 and the second daughter, Alisah at 35 or gifting herself abs on her 40th birthday, she is truly an embodiment of the spirit of a female warrior. Sushmita sends out a strong message to young millennial women that you don’t need a man to do support
your dreams. And she proved it when she bought a 22-carat diamond ring for herself and fiercely protested media speculations that suggested that she finally found a man. She is 42, lives her two adopted daughters and a charming Kashmiri boyfriend. If she is not the epitome of women empowerment, we don’t know what is!