NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Washington, DC, December 4, 2024: The BBC has released its 2024 list of 100 inspiring and influential women from around the world. The list celebrates women who have shown resilience and driven change in various fields. This year’s honorees include two Indian American women, astronaut Sunita Williams and AI expert Sneha Revanur, as well as three Indian women: wrestler Vinesh Phogat, social activist Aruna Roy, and funerary rites performer Pooja Sharma.
Indian American Honorees
Sunita Williams
Astronaut Sunita Williams, a veteran of NASA missions, finds herself in unprecedented circumstances this year. Initially set for an eight-day mission to the International Space Station aboard the Boeing Starliner, Williams and her colleague Barry Wilmore encountered technical issues that extended their mission until February 2025.
Williams, a retired Navy helicopter pilot, holds the distinction of running the first marathon in space in 2007. Despite being away from family and friends, Williams describes the spacecraft as her “happy place” and continues to embrace her mission with optimism and determination.
Sneha Revanur
At just 20 years old, Sneha Revanur is making waves in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). She is the founder of Encode Justice, a global youth movement advocating for safe and equitable AI, with members spanning 30 countries.
Currently a student at Stanford University, Revanur has also been recognized as the youngest individual on TIME magazine’s list of the 100 most influential voices in AI. Through her work, she seeks to address the risks of emerging technologies while promoting their potential for good.
Indian Honorees
Pooja Sharma
Delhi-based Pooja Sharma has challenged societal norms by performing funerary rites for unclaimed bodies, a role traditionally reserved for men in Hindu society. Motivated by her personal experience of performing the last rites for her brother, Sharma has provided dignified farewells to over 4,000 individuals across different faiths. Her work has inspired others and gained widespread attention through social media.
Vinesh Phogat
Vinesh Phogat, one of India’s most celebrated wrestlers, transitioned from sports to activism and politics this year. Known for her outspokenness against sexism in sports, Phogat spearheaded a protest against sexual harassment allegations within India’s wrestling federation. Although disqualified at the Olympics due to a weigh-in issue, her advocacy for gender equality remains influential.
Aruna Roy
Social activist Aruna Roy has spent decades championing transparency and fair wages for India’s rural communities. Her grassroots organization, Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan, was pivotal in the enactment of India’s Right to Information Act. A recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award, Roy recently released her memoir, The Personal is Political.
The inclusion of these remarkable women highlights the resilience and impact of women in addressing societal challenges and shaping a better future.
Cover photo: Sunita Williams courtesy of her Wikipedia page. Sneha Revanur, screenshot from Exposure Labs video.
