I strongly resonate with this quote. Women are a force to be reckoned with and have proved themselves time and time again.

Many people celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8th yet few realize that the entire month as a whole is dedicated to women.

The month of March is celebrated as Women’s History Month. It recognizes the achievements and contributions of several inspiring women in various fields. It is celebrated in the United States, Canada and many other countries. From arts and social injustice to sports, music, dance and more, women have been key contributors, leaving their mark and inspiring others to chase their dreams and fight for what they believe in.

I would like to shed light on some stories of incredible women who have inspired me to improve myself and have also helped me flourish and grow.

Arunima Sinha

The word ‘inspired’ does not even begin to describe how I felt when I first heard her story. It’s a beautiful story- one of a determined woman who fought through unimaginable difficulties and emerged victorious. 22-year-old, Arunima Sinha boarded a train from Lucknow to Delhi. Seeing she was a young female traveler, the robbers in the train decided to take advantage of it and tried to snatch the gold chain around her neck which was gifted by her mother. She resisted, because of which they threw her off the moving train. Her injuries were very severe and so she could not move. A train coming from the opposite side ran over her leg below the knee. Locals rushed her to a nearby hospital the next morning where her left leg was amputated. Despite being in so much pain, she decided she wanted to climb the highest peak in the world, Mount Everest. She became the first female amputee to climb Mount Everest. She wanted to inspire the youth and teach them to believe in themselves, so she said she would conquer the highest peak of each continent. She did not let her disability define her instead she showed the world it was simply a different ability. The quote ‘If there is a will, there is a way’ perfectly describes her character. She’s taught me that failures and shortcomings are a part of life but giving up isn’t. More importantly, she taught me that the only barrier is ‘YOU’, as long as you work hard, stay positive and stay true to yourself you’ve already won! Arunima Sinha’s story does not just inspire me- it gives hope to countless others who have struggled with failures, difficulties and doubt. She’s been my voice of reason, a truly admirable figure who will forever be remembered.

Neerja Bhanot

22-year-old Neerja was a senior flight attendant on Pan Am Flight 73. The flight was hijacked by four armed terrorists on September 5th 1986 spreading fear and shock throughout the cabin. Her quick thinking and presence of mind helped save a number of passengers. Throughout the 17-hour ordeal, she tried her best to help passengers remain calm and rescue as many as possible. In her efforts to shield three children from the gunfire, she was shot dead by the terrorists. Her bravery and willpower to help so many people made her a heroine that day. To me, she is the epitome of courage and determination. She is proof that, not all heroes wear capes. She’s taught me that life doesn’t always go according to plan, so keep your presence of mind, be brave and face the challenge. I’ve always struggled to keep calm in stressful situations but after hearing her story I’ve been inspired to do so. Neerja Bhanot was awarded the Ashoka Chakra- India’s highest peacetime military decoration. Her love for the people was so pure that she did not even hesitate to risk her own life to save others. She made an immense sacrifice for the people of our country and I aspire to follow in her footsteps one day.

My Grandmother

My mother often speaks about the incredible mental strength of my grandmother, calling her the pillar of our family. I couldn’t agree more, as I have witnessed countless moments where her unwavering support lifted me when I felt discouraged. She gives us the strength to move forward in life, providing a constant sense of security, knowing that there is someone who understands us completely.

One such example of her resilience was during the Kuwait War when my grandfather was in Kuwait, and there was no news about him. Despite the uncertainty, my grandmother never showed fear or sorrow in front of her children. Instead, she reassured them, confidently telling them that he would return soon. She never let financial concerns shake her composure. No matter the challenge, she faced it with determination and grace.

She has taught me to be strong in life, in all it’s ups and downs, to keep my head held high. While honouring women’s history in this article, I cannot forget to honour my grandmother, her extraordinary strength and courage are truly God given qualities that I hope to instill in myself too.

The courage and determination of these incredible women have not only inspired me but have also taught me to believe in myself. Their stories made me realize that courage exists within us all- we just need to find the strength to embrace it. Inspired by them, I pushed myself out of my own comfort zone and proved my resilience.

From childhood, I have been a shy and introverted person. Yet, it was always a dream of mine to be apart of the middle school council. Determined to prove myself a worthy candidate, I worked hard- improving my academics, participating in competitions and seizing every opportunity to showcase my skills. Despite my efforts, I had fears in mind, doubtful if I would get selected and if I was truly capable. I was called for the interview and though very nervous, I spoke in a calm and confident manner. They called me back for the election where I was to compete against two other candidates. I gave it my best and when the results were announced, I was thrilled to learn that I had been elected as the Vice Head Girl for the academic year 2024-25. I was extremely grateful for the opportunity and this experience helped me become more confident, courageous and responsible.

The stories of brave, dedicated and relentless women have shaped me, teaching me to embrace these qualities in my own life. Women are, and always will be, unstoppable.