International Women’s Day

 

Today is apparently the centenary of  International Women’s Day.  The Guardian is running a feature on the “Top 100 women” chosen by a panel of judges as the world’s most inspiriational women.  They have divided the women into categories such as “activists and campaigners,”  “Business and trade unions,” Law, Politics, Technology, etc.

There is no doubt that most of the women listed have broken barriers, helped other people in significant ways and are in many ways role models for other women.  Interestingly enough, there are no Jewish women at all on the list ( as far as I know).  This in itself seems odd as there are usually Jews on any list of high-fliers (except possibly in sports!).

I know many inspirational Jewish women, who fulfil the Guardian’s criterion of achieving something astonishing in their own right and also helping other women.  Some of my inspirational women are active in public fora such as charity work, teaching or professions, while others are less well known and are inspirational in the home and family they are building.

I’d like to compile a list of Inspirational Jewish Women – please send in your suggestions.  I’m happy to include people who are no longer alive as well.