Source: www.instagram.com/mondadori_escola_de_redacao 2017 was a historic year in so many ways – one of them being the record number of women leading Fortune 500 companies garnering limelight from around the world. Some would argue it was a dark year for women the world over, given that reports of prevalent sexism in Silicon Valley, at nation’s top law firms, and several other industries and institutions, were omnipresent. But there were bright spots to be discerned as well – Women who served as embodiments of strength, dedication and passion and who demonstrated to a younger generation of women that any dream can be achieved if you have the courage to pursue it. Here are five such powerful women who ruled the business world last year. 1. Mary Barra, General Motors Mary T. Barra was born in Royal Oak, Michigan. She is the Chairman and CEO of General Motors. Barra graduated from General Motors Institute in Electrical Engineering. She then received her Master’s in Business Administration from Stanford Graduate School of Business on a GM fellowship program. The 56-year-old became CEO of the corporation in January 2014 – becoming the first CEO of a major global automaker. She started working with GM at the age of 18 years as a co-op student in 1980 and held a number of administrative and engineering positions.

This is probably not the best time to be a woman in this world, but it’s certainly a better time for women than most of human history. A lot more needs to be done to promote women’s rights around the world, but a substantial number of women now have access to education, economic possibilities, and leadership roles – more than ever before. This only became a reality because of generations of courageous, wise and brilliant women who molded the future for those in the generations to follow. There had been many women who sacrificed and devoted their lives for the betterment of everyone. Sadly, not many people are aware of their significant contributions to history. So without further ado, let’s learn about five women who made history and were then lost to it. 1. Grace Hopper Grace Hopper, born in 1906 in New York City was a Mathematician, Computer Programmer, and Military Leader. She had earned a Ph.D. in Mathematics from Yale University in 1934, becoming one of the first few women to earn the degree. She joined the U.S. Navy during World War II and was assigned to work on Mark I Computer. She along with her team created the first computer language compiler, which led to the invention of popular COBOL language after the war.

Science fiction is one of the greatest gifts mankind has been given, by brilliant and creative minds who’s imaginations surpassed those of most of their contemporaries. Indeed, it would not be an exaggeration to claim that sci-fi has contributed tremendously to real-world technological development. After all, yesterday’s sci-fi reader and viewer ended up becoming today’s inventor! Here are some of the sci-fi technologies of yesteryear that have either become, or come very close to becoming, reality: 1. Fingerprint and retinal scanners Remember the doors, safes and lockers that opened with fingerprint scanners and retinal scanners in the sci-fi movies of the last century? Well, it’s no longer just a nifty gimmick in movies. Biometrics are now very much a fact of life – and the countless movies, TV shows and cartoons that depicted its use helped pave the way for that. They are now used for security purposes at airports, offices, health clubs and even on your cellphone! 2. 3D printers Star Trek is in a league of its own, when it comes to inspiring technological innovations. As one of the most iconic franchises of the genre, it has helped pave the way for a number of great scientific breakthroughs.

The struggle for equality between the genders is still, unfortunately, an ongoing one – as the recent ‘ Me Too ’ movement has made all too clear. But contemporary struggles for women empowerment began in the 19th century, with the Suffragette movement – a major uprising at a societal and at an institutional level. The Suffragette movement  was a part of the Women Rights movement – which aimed to ensure equal right for women in society. One of the specific goals of the movement was to give women the right to vote (with the word ‘ suffrage ’ literally being the right to vote in elections ) Women in several countries, especially the United States and Great Britain formed national and international organizations to fight for suffrage. Image Credits: glogster.com The first such international women’s rights organization was formed in 1888, namely the International Council of Women(ICW) . It was the first time that women all across the globe(mostly developed nations who were independent), came together and started an institutional revolt to uplift the conditions of women in the society. But while this organization became a very pillar of the Suffragette movement, in time, those involved with the movement felt the need for a dedicated suffragette organization – distinct from an organization dedicated to human rights as a whole.