Unsung Sheroes!

Lee Miller, a Vogue cover model and photojournalist, was one of the few accredited war photographers with the US armed forces during World War II. She photographed intense scenes, including that of the concentration camps. In fact, she was the only photojournalist — male or female — at the famous Battle of Saint-Malo at a time when women war correspondents were not allowed at the front line.

Tarabai Shinde was a feminist activist, writer and an associate of Savitribai Phule. She created Stri Purush Tulana, often regarded as the first modern Indian feminist text.

Rukhmabai Raut was one of the first women doctors to practice medicine in British India. Apart from being a pioneer in the field of medicine, she was also an advocate of women's rights in India. Her efforts contributed to the Age of Consent Act in 1891.

Hair curlers and can openers are commonly used today but who invented them? None other than Beulah Louise Henry, who also invented vacuum ice cream freezers.

We've all heard about the Wright brothers but did you know of the 'flying feminist' Lilian Bland, who flew Ireland's first powered biplane? She is known to be the first woman in the world to design, build and fly her own aeroplane. Bland even used her aunt's ear-trumpet among other materials to construct the plane, named 'Mayfly'.

Laura Cornelius Kellogg was an author, visionary and activist, who was one of the founding members of the Society of American Indians in 1911, established to address the problems faced by Native Americans on issues like health, education and civil rights.

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