A woman is like a tea bag – you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.
Eleanor Roosevelt, former First Lady of the United States
The International Women’s Day is a all about recognizing the achievements of women and it’s been doing so for more than a century, ever since the day of appreciation was created back in 1908. It is also a way to commemorate the deadliest industrial disaster in the history of New York, and one of the deadliest in US history. The fire caused the deaths of 146 garment workers, 123 women, who died from the fire, smoke inhalation, or falling or jumping to their deaths.
In response to inhumane working conditions and low wages‚ women working in clothing and textile factories staged a protest in New York City on March 8 1957. By today, Dozens of countries around the world are joining in and adding their voices to the cause. Women are encouraged to stand up for their rights wherever they are.
Here’s how we vote 8 inspiring women from 8 countries are observing International Women’s Day:
1. Sri Mulyani - Indonesia
Former Managing Director and COO
As Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer, Sri Mulyani Indrawati was responsible for the World Bank’s operations worldwide. She worked closely with client countries and member states to put operational strategies in place that address new and persistent development challenges in support of the World Bank’s goals of ending poverty and promoting shared prosperity.
Before joining the World Bank in June 2010, she served as Indonesia’s minister of finance in addition to being the coordinating minister of economic affairs. Her earlier positions include head of the Indonesian National Development Planning Agency, executive director at the International Monetary Fund, faculty member at the University of Indonesia and visiting professor at the Andrew Young School of Public Policy at Georgia State University. Indrawati holds a doctorate in economics from the University of Illinois and a bachelor of arts in economics from the University of Indonesia.
2. Anson Chan - Hong Kong
The First Woman and First Chinese as Chief Secretary of Hong Kong
She is often called the “Iron Lady” of Hong Kong.
Anson Chan earned respect serving as Hong Kong’s second-highest official when the British were in charge. And when the colony was handed back to China in 1997, Beijing enlisted Chan to help with that transition.
Chan was the first woman and the first ethnic Chinese to hold the second-highest governmental position in Hong Kong. The highest governmental position, the Governor, was always held by Britons before Hong Kong’s handover to People’s Republic of China. Chan was often described during this era as an "Iron Lady", with "an iron fist in a velvet glove". Chan was lauded as the most powerful woman in Asia for her role as the deputy of British Governor Chris Patten, and later Tung Chee-hwa. She was considered most trusted high official in Hong Kong by both the UK and PRC government to appoint her to the head of the civil service, before and after the handover of Hong Kong.
In the run-up to the handover of Hong Kong, she was often the ’face of Hong Kong’, dispatched to reassure the wider world that the territory would not implode upon its return to China and that civil liberties would be upheld. Her confidence reassured many around the globe.
Looking back, Chan says Hong Kong is a much better place for women today than it was when she was forging her path. But it still struggles with gender disparity, even in the civil service. Only a third of high-ranking civil servants are women, and women account for just 27 percent of the government’s advisory bodies. Women are even less represented on the boards of Hong Kong’s private companies.
3. Tsai Ing-wen - Taiwan
The First Lady President of Taiwan
By being elected the first female president of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen has already broken remarkable new ground. The even greater challenge that lies ahead of her now will be to prove, on almost a daily basis, that her gender is of no consequence to running a republic where many of the people in positions of power are still older, conservative and male. Ms Tsai dismissed the idea that her sex should play a part in her ability to run the nation
She can become the role model to future generations of Taiwanese women who decide they want to be engines of change in the country, whether that be in the halls of political power or boardrooms.
Taiwan was one of the Far East’s original economic "tigers"; today, it has the opportunity to forge a new reputation as one of the region’s leaders in women’s equality.
4. Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr. Zeti Akhtar Aziz - Malaysia
The 7th Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia
This exceedingly savvy and resilient businesswoman is currently the 7th governor of Bank Negara Malaysia (The central bank of Malaysia), as well as the only woman to have ever occupied that position.
She ranks in the top ten central bank governors of the world. Her incredible intelligence and vast knowledge in finance and business was clearly demonstrated when she pulled Malaysia from the Asian Financial Crisis with meticulously developed strategies. She made sure that Malaysia won’t be in Financial Crisis like 1997 any more.
It’s about a month before her retirement. So, Have a Good Retirement Tan Sri Zeti Aziz!
5. Ariya Jutanugarn- Thailand
The Thai First Golfer won Champion a Major Championship
Ariya Jutanugarn (born 23 November 1995) is a Thai professional golfer who plays on the American-based LPGA Tour. She was born in Bangkok. She is the first golfer, male or female, from Thailand to win a major championship.
Ariya is now ranked at the top with an incredible season long performance, being named the 2016 Rolex Player of the Year. LPGA Tour players are awarded points at each official LPGA tournament based on top-10 finishes. The top point earner takes home the prestigious title and honor of Rolex Player of the Year. “It’s like my dream come true.” says Ariya. This is also her first career Race to the CME Globe Title and Money Title: a $1 million bonus.
Golf Writers Association of America (GWAA) names Ariya Jutanugran player of the year! Congratulations.
6. Tran Mai Anh- Vietnam
A Journalist and Courageos, Caring Inspiring Vietanamese Woman
There’s a male baby was abandoned in the for
