Palina Yaroshyk
The woman who inspires me is not a renowned figure you would read about in a journal. She didn’t win a Nobel Prize, nor did she receive a Grammy. Despite all of that, her existence turned my life upside down. The most remarkable woman I know is Svetlana Siyanovich, my middle and high school Russian literature teacher.
The most magical thing about her is her eyes—full of wisdom and compassion. When you look into them, it feels as though she can see straight into your heart, beyond the barrier of flesh. She could tell something was wrong the moment I walked into her class. She could have carried on with her work without a second thought. But she didn’t. She spoke to me after class about ordinary, everyday things, yet in that conversation, I felt an immense kindness and care. I knew she understood exactly how I felt, without me having to say a word.
She gave me a book from her own library. That small act of kindness, her attempt to lift my spirits, became the seed of my lifelong passion for philosophy. She recognised that I was at the edge of despair, and she helped pull me back—not through grand gestures or dramatic words, but through simple, thoughtful actions. You might think “It’s not that deep,” but if you had known her, if you had known this incredible woman, you would realise—she understood everything, and she chose to act. She chose to take a step and help a confused teenager choose life. She was kind when it was not her duty, she listened when others merely spoke, and she took action when others stood by.
I aspire to be like her—to be truly human with other humans. I aspire to be kind.
Valeria Panzetta
The woman who inspires me most is Timnit Gebru.
In the age of artificial intelligence, where algorithms are increasingly influencing our lives, Timnit Gebru stands out as a voice of reason, challenging the biases hidden in technology. Her work has challenged the way we understand the impact of AI on society, especially how it can reinforce discrimination rather than eliminate it.
What makes Timnit so inspiring is her ability to combine technical expertise with brave activism. As an Ethiopian-American computer scientist, she has led groundbreaking research on bias in AI, proving that facial recognition systems are significantly less accurate for women and people of color. This wasn’t just an academic discovery – it revealed real-world consequences, where biased AI systems could lead to wrongful arrests, discrimination in hiring, and unfair treatment in healthcare.
Her impact extends far beyond research. Timnit has advocated for diversity in the tech industry, co-founding Black in AI to support underrepresented researchers in a field still dominated by a narrow demographic. She believes that AI should be built by people from all backgrounds, not just a selected few. Her courage in speaking out has sparked important conversations about accountability, ethics, and power dynamics in AI development, urging both companies and policymakers to take action.
She also founded the Distributed AI Research Institute (DAIR), a space dedicated to developing AI that serves society, not just corporate interests. By prioritizing transparency and fairness, her work challenges the status quo and paves the way for more ethical AI solutions.
On International Women’s Day, Timnit Gebru’s story reminds us why it is so important to question technology, demand fairness, and support the voices that are asking for change. It proves that women in AI are not just shaping the field: they are defining its future.
Dalisa Cisneros
The woman who currently inspires me is Daneli Cisneros, a 17-year-old Mexican athlete and leader. She dedicates hours daily, with discipline, to strengthening both her body and mind. She has taken on leadership roles in her high school, robotics team, and generation as a whole.
Daneli is an assistant Krav Maga instructor for children aged 5-6 (Krav Maga is an Israeli self-defense system based on hand-to-hand combat). She trains daily, combining gym workouts, kickboxing, and Krav Maga. Training makes her feel strong and happy. She now prioritizes her well-being after overcoming health challenges, realizing that her health is in her own hands—deep changes must come from within. She speaks Spanish, French, and English. She is a natural designer who loves expressing her creativity through painting and incorporating artistic elements into her home.
At 15, she bravely spoke up about her discomfort with how a male relative viewed her. Feeling unsafe, she sought support from her family, who helped her create a safe space to grow. Her courage to stand up for herself was inspiring.
Daneli dreams of improving the world through her actions. She aims to study Industrial Design, creating sustainable solutions for everyday problems. She earned a 70% scholarship at a prestigious Mexican university by winning first place in the “Creative Design” category with a project on water conservation—a lattice block that absorbs humidity and stores it for reuse.
Thinking about her strength, both physical and mental, fills me with admiration. She motivated me to train alongside her, and watching her throw punches, defend herself, and move with agility, I see a raw beauty—her fierce strength shaking everything around her. A woman who builds her life and body with discipline and awareness is someone I deeply admire. That woman is my sister.
Maria
Two women constantly inspire me; my maternal grandmother and mother. My mother had a spark in her and was very studious, but her father wanted her to get married as soon as she passed her 12th grade (a common norm in my society). However, my maternal grandmother knew her love for education, even though she had never attended any formal institution. One day, when my maternal grandfather had gone out for work, my maternal grandmother quickly wrapped up all her household work and took my mother to enroll her in further studies. This was a very strong and bold step in a society deeply rooted in patriarchy. Her willingness and realization to get my mother fully educated continues to inspire me to this day. Interestingly, in coming years, my maternal grandfather also realized the worth of education for her daughter!!!
My maternal grandmother’s commitment, love, and strength in taking such a step for my mother are among the most inspiring stories I have ever heard. Whenever I think of people who inspire me, she definitely tops the list. Her resolute personality fills me with love and respect for her and all those women who struggle and fight against patriarchy to make a difference in this world. Guess how powerful and amazing a daughter raised by such a mother would be? Yes, my mother, her love for education, and making sure we siblings get the best education continues to inspire me.
On this International Women’s Day, I would love to acknowledge all those women who work hard to achieve their life goals. I pray that we get to live in a world where basic human rights, like education, are readily available to all.
Mathilde Delpla
The woman who inspires me most is Louise Weiss, a French journalist, feminist, and pioneer of the European Union who dedicated her life to promoting peace and defending human rights.
After World War I, she co-founded the journal “The New Europe” in 1918, aiming to provide high-quality information on international politics and major economic issues to support peacebuilders. From 1920 to 1934, she served as editor-in-chief and supported Aristide Briand’s vision of a federal Europe to foster lasting peace between nations. In 1930, she established the New School for Peace in Paris to develop expertise in conflict prevention and peace education.
Weiss also undertook humanitarian work. Following the Soviet Revolution, she traveled to Russia to document famine-stricken regions for the Red Cross and initiated aid programs for Ukrainian and Russian children. In 1934, she founded the New Women association to advocate for women’s right to vote, even symbolically running for office despite being ineligible.
Anticipating another European conflict, Weiss joined the Central Refugee Committee in 1938, assisting Jewish families fleeing Nazism. During World War II, she was involved in rescuing Jewish children and joined the French Resistance.
In 1979, Weiss was elected as a Member of the European Parliament. As the eldest member, she presided over its inaugural session in Strasbourg. In her speech, she emphasised that the European Union should not only be an economic alliance but also a community united by shared values and culture.
A visionary ahead of her time, Louise Weiss recognised that the European Union should be a stronghold for human rights and democracy. In these challenging times, we honor her legacy and remain committed to defending her vision of a just, united, and peaceful Europe.
Mana Taheri
Malala Yousafzai is one of the most inspiring figures of our time. Her story of courage, determination, and resilience motivates me deeply. Born in Pakistan’s Swat Valley in 1997, Malala’s passion for education began early. However, when the Taliban took control of her region, they banned girls from attending school. Refusing to accept this injustice, Malala spoke out, advocating for every girl’s right to education. Her bravery made her a target, and in 2012, she survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban.
Instead of being silenced, Malala emerged stronger. Her voice became louder, and her mission became clearer—to fight for girls’ education and gender equality worldwide. In 2014, at just 17 years old, she became the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate. She co-founded the Malala Fund, which supports girls’ education in countries like Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan, where millions of young women are denied their basic rights. Her advocacy continues to make a difference, giving hope to those who dream of a better future.
As International Women’s Day approaches on March 8, Malala’s story reminds me of the power of speaking up and fighting for what is right. She inspires me to believe in change and to stand up for those who cannot raise their voices. Her words, “One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world,” are a powerful reminder that education is the key to equality and freedom.
Malala is not just a symbol of courage—she is a movement, a force for change, and a role model for all who believe in justice. On this Women’s Day, I celebrate her and all the women working tirelessly for a fairer world.
Fatya Mammadova
I am inspired by all women who refuse to be defined by what society places upon them and exist as their full selves. Not just by one woman, but all of them. And they are all around us.
The woman who chooses to study even though her rural environment tells her education isn’t for her. The activist who fights for justice, despite the misunderstanding and even judgment of others. The single mother who balances work and parenting. The woman who embraces her body, her mind, her choices, despite the pressure to shrink herself to fit into expectations. The woman who speaks up in rooms where she was never meant to have a seat, who refuses to apologise for taking up space.
I see inspiration in every woman who dares to want more, to question, to push forward. Women who live as they are, without permission. They inspire me every single day.
