TOPIC INTRODUCTION:

On the occasion of Women’s equality Day, we bring you a small rundown of those amazing
women's achievements in India who were firsts in their field and their contribution towards
making India proud.

1. Avani Chaturvedi - Sky Warrior

Avani Chaturvedi became the first Indian proud woman to fly solo a fighter aircraft. She flew a
MiG-21 'Bison', an aircraft known for its highest landing and take-off speed in the world.

2. Mithali Raj - Lady Tendulkar of Indian Women's cricket

During India's series against New Zealand Women - Mithali Raj became the first Indian woman
who made India proud by playing in 200 ODI match.

3. Mary Kom - Ms. Knock-out

Mary Kom is the woman who made india proud by becoming World Amateur Boxing champion
for a record six times, and the first woman from the country to win a medal in boxing at the
Olympics.

4. Saina Nehwal - Steffi Saina

In a world Badminton rankings in 2015, Saina Nehwal became the first Indian woman to secure
no. 1 position.

5. Gita Gopinath - The Fiscal Scholar

An Indian-American economist, Gita Gopinath became the First Woman Chief Economist at the
IMF (International Monetary Fund).

6. Hima Das - Dhing Express

Hima Das, an Indian sprint runner is the first Indian proud woman athlete to win a gold medal in
a track event at the IAAF World U20 Championships.

7. Arunima Sinha - The Mount Everest Girl

Arunima Sinha became the world's first woman amputee to climb Mount Everest in 2013

8. Kalpana Chawla - Indian Born American Astronaut

An american astronaut and engineer, Kalpana Chawla was the first woman of Indian descent to
go to space.

9. Garima Arora - Michelin Star

Garima Arora became the first Indian female chef to be conferred with the Michelin star

10. Usha Kiran - Youngest Female CRPF Officer

Usha Kiran became CRPF's first woman officer to be posted in the insurgency-affected Bastar
region of Chhattisgarh.
11. Kavita Devi - Wrestling Queen
Kavita Devi is the first female professional wrestler of India to wrestle in WWE.

12. Deepa Malik - Paralympics Winner

Deepa Malik became the first proud woman of India to win a medal in Paralympic Games at the
2016 Summer Paralympics.

13. Shanti Devi - Truck Mechanic

Shanti Devi became the first truck mechanic in India who made India proud and has been
working for more than 20 years now.

14. Dipa Karmakar - Indian Artistic Gymnast

Dipa Karmakar, in August 2016, an indian woman who made india proud scripted history by
becoming the first Indian gymnast to qualify for an Olympic final.

15. Tessy Thomas - Missile Woman of India

Tessy Thomas is the first woman who made india proud to head an Indian missile project.
Adding to it, with the successful launch of the Agni-V missile project, she also achieved a career
milestone.

Why we are celebrating women's equality day?

Women’s Equality Day is celebrated to acknowledge and appreciate women and to progress
towards achieving gender equality. This day marks the day when women were given equal
rights to vote, with this, women also got several opportunities to fight for their rights in every
sector of the socio-economic system. This was the first step for women to get equal rights in
society, and gain respect.

Why it was on 26th August?

On 26th August 1970, women from all over the world staged the Women’s Strike for Equality.
In 1971, New York Congresswoman Bella Abzug proposed that 26th August be declared as
Women’s Equality Day.
In Women’s Equality Day is celebrated in honor of the moment when Secretary of State
Bainbridge Colby made the declaration public guaranteeing American women the right to vote
under the nation’s constitution.

When it was officially celebrated?

The first formal declaration of women’s Equality Day was made on 26th August in the year 1972
when former US President Richard Nixon issued Proclamation.

QUOTE
When girls are educated, their countries become stronger and more prosperous.
Michelle Obama