5 Global Women To Know For Int’l Women’s Day

Meet a 101-year-old runner from India, a Yemeni refugee scientist and more inspiring women

International Women’s Day Today is International Women's Day, a day that aims to celebrate the achievements of women in all arenas: social, economic, cultural, political and personal as well. Here’s a roundup of brave women who have worked to make life better for themselves and for other women — and the lessons that can be learned from each. Nominate A Woman Tell us about a woman who's making life better for other women — especially women who live in the developing world. Submit Your Nomination GET MOVING Man Kaur, a 101-year-old runner from India who’s showing the world it’s never too late to start a new hobby A competitive runner, Kaur is a world record holder in her age group for several categories and is now training for the Asia Pacific Masters Games in Malaysia next September. The centenarian is a role model for women and runners everywhere. The diminutive Kaur hasn't been a lifetime runner. She started running in 2009, when, on a whim, her son took her to the track. She enjoyed it — and she hasn’t stopped since. Then her son registered her for an international race. Read Her Story FIGHT BACK Malebogo Malefhe, a domestic abuse survivor from Botswana who is fighting gender-based violence When people find out that Malefhe uses a wheelchair because she was shot by her boyfriend, the first question they ask is: "What did you do to him [to deserve it]?" Now Malefhe, who sustained eight bullets from her boyfriend of 10 years, wants to make sure that no woman who has faced domestic abuse is asked this question ever again. Since then, she has devoted herself to fighting gender-based violence in her native Botswana and teaching women that when men hurt them, it's not their fault. Read Her Story BREAK TABOOS Manal al-Sharif, the Saudi woman who drove to defy the authorities Al-Sharif's path to activism began simply enough: In 2011, the Saudi woman filmed herself driving a car, then uploaded the video to YouTube. Ordinarily such a video might not get much notice, but because it's not socially acceptable for women to drive in Saudi Arabia, where there is a de facto ban at the time, Sharif's video went viral. "For me, driving — or the right to drive — is not only about moving from A to B; it's a way to emancipate women," she says. "It gives them so much liberty. It makes them independent." Listen To Al-Sharif's Interview SPEAK OUT Ashley Judd, one of the first women to publicly accuse Harvey Weinstein of sexual harassment. In early October, The New York Times published accounts from Judd and others alleging decades of predatory behavior by the film producer. Their openness set off a national conversation around sexual harassment and the #MeToo movement. "The greatness of this moment is that finally the world was able to hear," she says. "I don't give a s*** what it costs me. All I can do is the next good, right, honest thing and let go of the results." Listen To Judd's Interview NEVER GIVE UP Eqbal Dauqan, a Yemeni refugee who didn't let war deter her from being a scientist In March 2015, Dauqan's hometown of Taiz was pulled into Yemen's bloody civil war. Planes dropped bombs — and not just on military targets. "They were bombing my university!" says Dauqan, a biochemistry professor. After the bombings began, she had to stop her research. And it wasn't safe for her to leave home. Then one day, after months in hiding, Dauqan had an idea: Maybe her science could get her out of the war. Now, she’s an inspiration for girls in science — and hopes to win a Nobel prize. Read Her Story You received this message because you're subscribed to our Best of NPR emails. |  Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy | NPR 1111 N. CAPITOL ST. NE WASHINGTON DC 20002