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Betty is my gran so I might be biased, but what she and her colleagues achieved in WWII was remarkable. She was a member of RAF 80 Wing 'Beam Benders' who, operating secretly in London and then in Belgium, intercepted German radio signals and retransmitted them to steer bombers away from populated or significant targets. She was only 20, from a working class mining village in the north east, but she held her own in a male-dominated environment, was mentioned in despatches, and made friends for life. She also refused to celebrate when one of the planes crashed, knowing that the pilot himself was not the enemy but someone's son. She kept working after she had children, determined to keep her independence, and never let anyone hold her back.

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A young woman in Air Force uniform stands behind barbed wire, in the grounds of a mansion. She is holding a cigarette.

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As a Victorian woman, classed as an 'invalid' for most of her life, Isabella Bird was not expected to be exceptional. Confined to her family sofa with a recurring back issue, Bird was issued medical advice to get some sea air to recover. However, she took this to the extreme and rather than spending a weekend in Scarborough she instead boarded a boat bound for the Americas and never looked back.

Bird spent the next 30 years exploring the globe and writing immensely detailed travel narratives providing rich insights into the socio-economic situations of some of the world's most remote and tumultuous locations. These travel narratives earned her a well earned place as the first female member of the Royal Geographic Society, and as one of the leading travel celebrities of the day. Bird died in her 70s with her suitcase already packed for another adventure.

She, like so many other female explorers of the Victorian era, is now largely forgotten despite her fame and popularity at the time. However, for me, she is a resounding reminder that no individual is confined by societal expectations and that every adventure is worth pursuing.

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She has a long, strong history of supporting women's rights. She is fiercely outspoken on these issues, and amazingly resilient in the face of misogynistic backlashes. She stands up in parliament and reads out the list of women killed by men, a harrowing, deeply symbolic statement. She continues fighting for systemic change, against misogyny in politics and in public life. She is an inspiration, that it is worth fighting, keeping on pushing, keeping on keeping on.

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I am a great admirer of Jane Goodall. She represents for me the inspiring combination of scientific rigor, compassionate activism, and tireless dedication to making the world better for all species. Her groundbreaking work with chimpanzees in Tanzania revolutionized our understanding of our closest animal relatives and challenged the scientific establishment's preconceptions.

What makes Jane Goodall particularly inspiring is how she transformed from a young woman without formal scientific training into one of the world's foremost primatologists. When she began her research in Gombe in 1960, she brought a fresh perspective that allowed her to observe behaviors others had missed, including tool use among chimpanzees—a discovery that forced scientists to reconsider the definition of humanity itself.

Throughout her career, Goodall has demonstrated exceptional perseverance and courage. She ventured alone into the forests of Tanzania at a time when women were rarely accepted in field research. Despite facing skepticism from the male-dominated scientific community, she trusted her observations and methodology, ultimately changing how research is conducted.

Beyond her scientific contributions, Goodall evolved into a powerful advocate for conservation, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability. Her Jane Goodall Institute works globally to protect chimpanzees and their habitats while improving the lives of local communities. Her Roots & Shoots program empowers young people to become environmental leaders in over 100 countries.

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The Six Triple Eight Battalion - not just one inspirational woman but many

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The Six Triple Eight Battalion - not just one inspirational woman but many

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I recently saw the film The Six Triple Eight about a battalion of exceptional women. Unsung heroes...

The six triple eight, as the Battalion was known, was the first and only all black female unit to be deployed overseas during World War II, consisting of 855 women under the command of Major Charity Adams the highest-ranking black female in the US Army during World War II.

It was - and still is - terribly important for troops serving abroad to hear from loved ones, so the backlog of post was a serious issue for the US army.

The primary mission therefore of the 6888 was to sort and re-direct mail to US personnel in Europe. In fact, the motto of the 6888 was “No mail, low morale”, and with a war to win, the generals needed this backlog of letters to be redirected urgently.

The women accomplished the incredible task of delivering mail to 7,000,000 servicemembers. Working three shifts per day, they processed approximately 65,000 pieces of mail per shift.

(Text from: King Edward VI Foundation, Birmingham)

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WWP News & Media: Veteran Group Outings, Charity Events, Helping Vets

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Honoring the Six Triple Eight: WWII’s Unsung Heroes

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This Black History Month, Wounded Warrior Project salutes hidden figures in the United States military. This installment honors the Army’s 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. Read more.

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Gisele Pelicot is the French woman who was repeatedly and covertly drugged and raped by her husband and also offered to dozens of other men when she was unconscious. She waived her right to anonymity during court proceedings in order to raise awareness of this type of crime and encourage other victims of sexual crimes to speak out. She said ‘"Shame must change sides".

This year's IWD is about accelerating action for gender equality and I think Gisele Pelicot's actions exemplify this, albeit in horrific circumstances. When described as brave during the trial she told the court: “I say it is not bravery. It is will and determination to change society.”

Her actions may lead to changes in how rape is defined in French law, and also in social attitudes towards sexual crimes and the treatment of women.

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Rachel Carson, marine biologist and environmentalist, author of "Silent Spring", highlighted quite early on (1960s) the damaging effects of pesticides and fertilisers on wildlife and human health. Her work raising awareness of this was met with fierce and, quite often sexist, resistance from the predominant male figures in the agricultural industries and government bodies in America at the time. Her persistence and courage in the face of such aggression, eventually led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Endangered Species Act. She is considered the mother of environmentalism. :)

“In nature nothing exists alone.”
― Rachel Carson, Silent Spring

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There are so many inspirational women but today I choose Michelle Obama. When I've seen her speak, I always found her presence incredible. Her memoir, “Becoming,” has inspired millions of people all over the world. I love how it shows her realness, leadership, and dedication to public service. She became a global icon with a strong voice for change. She fights for causes that touch people from all walks of life. Her advocacy for education, public health, and women’s rights has solidified her legacy as a true champion of empowerment and equality. I especially resonate with this quote. We often feel the most discomfort in a situation when our internal values don't align with the situation.

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I still remember reading about Rosa Parks when I was at school and was inspired by her bravery and determination. By refusing to give up her bus seat to a white passenger sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a pivotal event in the civil rights movement. Her bravery challenged racial segregation and inspired others to stand up for justice and equality.

A quote she said has always stayed with me 'You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right'

In the 1950's the world was a very different place and this act of bravery and determination is truly awe inspiring

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Jess Rad from the Womanhood

Jess champions gender equality, fights for women’s rights, and raises awareness about issues that disproportionately affect women. Her work on inclusion, particularly for neurodivergent women and girls

has really shone a light on how difficult it can be navigating life. For me, she exemplifies the values celebrated on IWD and is an ambassador for equality and inclusion.

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The late Catherine Wines sits at the top of my ‘most respected’ shortlist and she also probably had the most formidable work ethic of anyone I know.  The extraordinary success of the FinTech leader WorldRemit was due to a monumental team effort, but it was Catherine’s shoulders that buttressed the organisation’s solid foundations.  She was a fearsome individual who cared deeply and passionately about the customers (predominately migrant workers) and partners of the company she cofounded in 2010, as well as about the wellbeing of those who worked with and for her across a fascinating C-level career.  She was an amazing mentor to numerous executives and entrepreneurs and supported a range of social impact initiatives, particularly those involved with homelessness, young people, women in tech and the climate emergency.  She leaves behind her a Foundation which aims to make a difference to social impact causes in the UK and Africa.

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It’s with sadness that WorldRemit announces the death of founder and board member, Catherine Wines, who started the company in 2010 with Ismail Ahmed and Richard Igoe.

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Click on the Plus Sign at the bottom right hand corner and then fill out the box. You can add a picture if you like or just share a link to a webpage. We would love to hear about anyone who inspires you and why you feel they deserve to be mentioned here. You can just add a comment if the person you were thinking of has already been added