| Womanhood has been reverenced in the ancient Indian culture as a manifestation of divine qualities. Womanhood is a symbol of eternal virtues of humanity expressed in compassion, selfless love and caring for others. The Indian philosophers of yore (the rishis) considered that the seeds of divinity grow and blossom in a truly cultured society where women are given due respect and equal opportunities of rise and dignity. The scriptures and later works on Indian culture and philosophy stand witness to the fact that women indeed receive high recognition and respect in the Vedic age. The contribution of women rishis in making the ancient Indian culture a divine culture were not less than those of their male counterparts. In the later ages too, women had always been integral part of cultural, social and intellectual evolution of the human society.
In spite of the declining phase of medieval era, where suppression and exploitation of women occurred at a faster pace than moral devaluation, women continued to prove their existence in every dimension of life. Though less in numbers, these endeavors of valor, bravery, struggle against untoward traditions, dedication for social welfare, scientific investigations, etc, were significant in terms of positive contributions.
Altruist service has been an area where the glory of women always shines brighter than that of men. Every woman, by nature, offers great service to her family and thereby to the society too. Her motherly sentiments are bestowed on almost everyone who comes in her contact. Many women have also made extraordinary contributions against all odds to the service of mankind at the national and global levels.
As a tribute to the expression of thee in womanhood, this volume presents a compilation of glorious works during the current millenium of women across the globe in different domains and under different circumstance of life.
The first chapter of this volume focuses on the great women whose revolutionary endeavors are significant in the modern history of religion, literature, politics, etc. The list of descriptions here includes - Rani Rasmani, Ma Shardamani, Durgavati, Amrapali, Ahilyabai, Lakshmibai, Talash Kunwar, Jijabai, Anandibai, Yesubai, Joan of Arc, Madame Kama, Subhadra Kumari Chauhan, Preetilata, Sarojini Naidu, Sarah Beanheart, Louis Michelle, Joyo Kosmode, Sophie Borden, Sokki Pero, Sister Cheval, Jamila, Udosiya, Ms Martha etc. The second and third chapters encompass the brief biographies and glorious deeds of the women who had dedicated themselves for the noble cause of social service.
The second chapter covers a large number of such great personalities from India such as – Kasturba Gandhi, Muthulakshmi Reddy, Kamala Nehru, Prabhavati Devi, Dr. Merry Poonam Lucoz, Asha Devi, Rajkumari Amrat Kaur, Rama Bai Dongare, Mai Harshe, Ramabai Ranade, Pisanhari, Madame Blawetski, Tara Cheriyan, Yashodhara Dasappa, Chandravati Rathore, Isabelle Thorben, Katherine Hellion, Merriam Lester, Margaret Cousins, Mother Teresa, etc. Those from the rest of the world highlighted in the third chapter include - Florence Nightingale, Elizabeth Fri, Anna Freud, Maria Montessori, Henry Clover, Merry Jean, Merry Scott, Ms. Emily, Sujuko, Dr. Keith Campbell, Doreen Chiang-Chi Chec, Dr. Sakori, Angela Davis, Donna Lillian, Jayini Marx, Claudia Johnson, etc.
Major contributions to the women liberation movement in the 19th and 20th century were made by the ladies who, along with looking after their familial and professional responsibilities had come forward for emancipation and constructive support of their less privileged, poor and helpless ’sisters’. Chapter four describes how the Indian women like Mrs.Kama Devi Chattopadhaya, Tahira, Devi Mai, Abala Basu, Subbulakshi, Mrs. Savarkar, Urmila Shastri, Shivdevi, Kamalabai Hospeth, Lalitha Shastri, Anna Chandy, Dr. Iravati Karve, Jahanara, first woman engineer of India - Ms. Lalitha, etc, and the foreigners like Mrs. Roosevelt, Sarah Hela, Fillice Whitely, Emily Greenville, Jean Adams, Sigrid Anisette, Nancy Ester, Marguerite Mitchell, Evezlene Booth, Harriet Stowe, Marguerite Sanger, etc, could accomplish this with the strength of their serene character, devotion of talents and strong will-power... |
