Esther Afua Ocloo. a Ghanaian business woman who pioneered microlending - a programme of making small loans in order to stimulate businesses. She started in 1943, after graduation, to use her pocket money to buy the ingredients to make and sell her now legendary marmalade in Accra. She then took out a contract to supply orange juice to a Achimota school. She gained an additional contract to provided the Royal West African Frontier Force with juice. Lacking resources to meet the demand she had a loan from the bank. She established Nkulenu Industries - the first food processing factory in the Gold Coast. With her business established Achimota college sponsored her to visit England from 1949-51. In 1956 returned to England to develop recipes for commercial canning. 1958 encouraged by President Kwame Nkrumah she became the first president (1959-61) of what was to become the Federation of Ghana Industries. 1970’s onwards worked at national and international level in the economic empowerment of women. (See Business Activity). In 1990 she became the first woman to receive the Africa Prize for Leadership Esther was a member of Unity Worldwide Missions. She died in 2002 aged 82. Nkulenu industries today still make and export marmalade. Sources Wikipedia RISE by Maliha Abidi

Nouhad Wadie’ Haddad, stage name Fairuz, is considered the musical icon of Lebanon and is popularly known as ‘the soul of Lebanon’. Aged 10 a musician, who taught at the Conservatory, heard her chorus singing when she was part of her school choir… He suggested she joined the Conservatory. She was successful. Her became 'active ’ when she was only 15 years of age. Her first breakthrough came when she was hired by Radio Lebanon as a chorus singer. She met the Rahbani brothers Assi and Mansour. The three became the Rahbani Trio. She married Assi when she was 20. Musical plays or operettas were the corner stone of the trio. Over 30 years they produced 25 popular musical plays (20 with Faituz). In 1975 the 15 rear civil war began. She made music lamenting the violence while refusing to take sides and did not perform in Lebanon during this time. She became a symbol of Lebanese unity and was loved by both sides. She is now in her late 80’s and continues to perform. She had won many awards worldwide. She continues to be an enigmatic, commanding presence on stage- the most listened to singer in the Arab world. Sources Wikipedia RISE by Maliha Abidi

Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (nee. Frances Abigail Olufunmiayo Olufela Folorunso Thomas ) and as Funmilayo Anikulapo-Kuti . She was born In Abeokula, Southern Nigeria. She was the daughter of Chief Daniel Olumeyuwa Thomas,a farmer and a member pf the aristocratic Jibolu-Taiwo family. She was the first female to attend Abeokula Grammar School. She then attended a finishing school in England. She returned to Nigeria to marry the notable educator Israel Ransome-Kuti. They had a loving relationship and were married for 30 years. As a young adult she worked as a teacher, organizing some of the first preschool classes in the country and arranging literacy classes for lower income women. In 1940’s established the Abeokuta Women’s Union. She led marches and protests of up to 10,000 women. She became known as the Lioness of Lisabi. In 1949 forced Alake to temporary abdicate. Both before and after Nigeria’s independence (1960) she remained a political force. On 13th April 1978 she lost her life when she was mortally wounded during a military raid on her dissident son’s Fela family property. She has been named as a strong influence on a number of activists. No other Nigerian woman of her time ranked as such a national figure or had such international exposure ans connections . Cheyl Johnson-Odim (biographer) Sources Wikipedia RISE by Maliha Abidi

Hannah Szenes or Chanah Senesh was a Jew born in Budepest, Hungary. She joined the British Army in 1943 as part of the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. She trained to be a Special Operation’s Executive - SOE . She was learning to be a spy. After training in Egypt she parachuted into Europe near the Hungarian border. Having spent 3 months helping people fight against the Nazis she tried to cross into Hungary. Everything went wrong. She was captured, arrested and tortured as a spy. For 3 months she was tortured but revealed no information about her mission. They even threatened to kill her mother. She was tried, found guilty executed by firing squad on 7 th November 1944, she was just 23 years of age Hannah is regarded as a national heroine in Israel. Her poetry is widely known . The Yad Hna kibbutz as well as several streets are named after her. She has been largely been forgotten in Hungary, her birth place. Sources used Wikipedia Herstory by Katherine Halligan

Amna is an Emirati racing driver. She was born in Abu Dhabi. She is a first in several motor sport events. In 2014 she began her karting career and was the first woman to participate at the Rotax Max Challenge (RMC). In 2017 she was the first Arab woman to win the UAE RMC Championship. She was the first female to be selected by ATCUAF to represent UAE at the GCC Young Drivers Academy Programme, which she won. On 16th December 2018 she took part in a motor sport test programme for Formula E after the Diriyah ePrix in Saudi Arabia. She was the first Emirati to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Amna represents women in a male dominated sport and hopes she can inspire Arab women, in particular, to follow their motor sport instincts- and go for it Sources Wikipedia *RISE *by Maliha Abidi

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - AOC is a politician and activist. She has served as the US representative for New York’s 14th congressional district since 2019, as a member of the Democratic party. She is the first and youngest ever female member of the Democratic Socialists of America elected to serve in Congress. She supports workplace democracy, Medicare for All, tuition -free public college, a federal jobs guarantee, a Green New Deal and abolishing the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She has earned a reputation for vigorously holding politicians and business interests to account.

Asima Chatterjee - (nee Mukherjee) was an Indian organic chemist noted for her work in the fields of organic chemistry and phytomedicine (use of herbs and other plants). Her most notable works included the research on vinca alkaloids, the development of anti-epileptic drugs and the development of anti-malarial drugs. Through her research she developed anti-epileptic, anti-convulsive and chemotherapy drugs to treat patients. From different types of plants she developed anti-malarial drugs with her team. She dedicated 40 years of her time researching cancer and anti-cancer growth drugs. Asima, in 1944, was the first woman to receive a Doctorate of Science from an Indian university. In 1975 she received the Padma Bhushan Award - one of the highest civilian awards in India. She lived to the age of 89 and died in 2006 in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Her career spanned 6 decades during which she nurtured students, wrote over 400 papers and saved countless lives with her discoveries. Sources Wikipedia RISE by Maliha Abidi

Autumn Peltier is an Anishinaabe Indigenous rights advocate from the Wiikwemkoog First Nation on Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada. Aged 8 she began advocating for the universal right to clean drinking water. In her culture water is one of the most sacred elements. Aged just 13 she addressed world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly on the issue of water protection. In 2019 she was named Cheif Water Commissioner for the Anishinabek Nation. She is concerned for clean water for the indigenous people across Canada… She is also the leading voice for all Indigenous matters across Canada- history and on-going racism and inaccuracy of Indigenous people, missing and murdered women and access and support for’ the children coming behind us’. Sources Wikipedia RISE by Maliha Abidi

Joyful Clemantine Wamariya at the age of 6 , with her older sister Claire,was forced to leave her home in Rwanda following the Rwandan Genocide in April. 1994. They went first to their grandparents but they were also targeted. They sought refuge in 7 countries over 6 years until they were granted refugee asylum in the USA in 2000. She began formal schooling at the age of 13. In 2006 she submitted an essay for a national high school contest on Elie Wiesel’s Holocaust Memoir, Night. She won and was invited to go on the Oprah Winfrey show with her sister. To their wonderful surprise their parents, who they knew had survived the genocide,had been flown in from Rwanda. They had spoken on the 'phone but had not seen them for 12 years. After her appearance on the show event organizers, especially in the humanitarian aid sector, have invited her to speak. While at Yale she carried her storytelling across the USA for the United Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM). President Obama in recognition of her work appointer her to the Board. She has since appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show 3 times and her appearances have gained her international attention. She studied comparative literature at Yale University. After university she met Elizabeth Weil. What started as a feature- length article two years later in 2018 resulted in The Girl Who Smiles Beads: A story about War and What comes After. The book became a New York Times best seller Clemantine now works as a human rights advocate fighting for the unprivileged and championing justice.

Aisholpan Nurguiv aged 13,became the first female eagle hunter to compete in the eagle festival at Ulgii, Mongolia. A documentary about Aisholpan was shortlisted, but ultimately not nominated, for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. In 2013 she competed at the e day event at the Sonar festival held near Nura. There were 40 competitors this involved shirga (lures) and live prey… She was awarded a prize by virtue of being the only female competitor. Aged 15, in 2015 , she went on her first hunt with her own eagle. Her desire is to become a doctor. The film makers established a fund to help pay for her higher education. Her family became ’ profit participants’ in the documentary. They also donated the 3, 000 euros for winning best Documentary at the Hamptons International Film Festival. Sources Wikipedia Rise by Maliha Abidi

Deepika is an Indian actress who works predominantly in Hindu films. Her father Prakash was a professional badminton player and she played at international herself. She was’ discovered’ and became a model and then a very a successful actress. One morning in 2014 she woke up with depression (her world was a few shades darker’. She researched and found there was very little information available about mental health. In 2015 she set up a foundation called Live Love Laugh through which she set up various resources.She wanted more attention paid to mental illness and its effects - and less to shame associated with it. Today she is a brighter star of Bollywood than ever before and continues to advocate for better mental health support. Sources Wikipedia *RISE * by Maliha Abidi

Esra’a does not show her face on line -it would put and her and her family at risk if she was recognizable. C She is a Bahraini civil rights activist and founder and executive director of Majal (Mideast Youth) and its related projects including* Crowd Voice.* She founded* Mideast Tunes* which is currently the largest platform for underground musicians in the Middle East and North Africa - it penetrates isolated markets. Read about her many media awards (2008-2015) - paragraph 2. IShe was a keynote speaker at Wikimania 2017 and also appointed to the Wilkimedia Foundation Board of Trustee, In 2018 she was listed as one of BBC’s 100 Women. In January 2023 she was appointed to board of The Tor Project. We want our humanity and our futures in our hands and we use the internet and other forms of technology to fight for those rights Esra’a Her life is dedicated to bringing about change. Sources Wikipedia RISE by Maliha Abidi

Elif Shafak (nee Bigin), born in Strasbourg, France has published 19 works. They have been translated into 55 languages and been nominated for several literacy awards. (See list) She advocated for women’s rights, minority rights and freedom of speech. Her themes include women’s lives, immigration and culture. She believes storytelling has the power to change the world. She is a passionate supporter of minorities for women and the freedom of expression. Sources Wikipedia *RISE *by Maliha Abidi

Prudence, a 21 year old student, was the first woman in South Africa to openly declare a positive HIV positive diagnosis. After her announcement she was met with insults, presumptions that she was a sex worker and expectations that she would die soon. Her university barred her from finishing her studies. (She lived to the age of 45 and she did gain some diplomas (light current engineering, psychology and management) She turned to volunteer work but struggled with suicidal feelings. She qualified as a sangoma - a traditional healing. *She visited so many grieving families. When lesbians were killed, Pru went. When another HIV positive woman died, Pru was there. When a woman was murdered. Pru was at the font. painted up, dolled up, voice rugged,breathing through her mouth, swearing and joking and sweating, she was there. Sisonka Msimang She a member of the One in Nine Campaign She set up the Positive Women’s Network in 1996. In 1998 she helped start Treatment Action Campaign TAC) She was the recipient of the Felipa de Souza award in 1999. In 2004 carried the Olympic flame in Greece. At the time of her death in 2017 she was involved with many organizations ( See ‘Career’ for full list) Prudence worked to better the lives of those around her,she rose from despair to heroism in incredibly difficult circumstances Maliha Abidi Sources Wikipedia RISE:Extraordinary Women of Colour Who Changed the World by Maliha Abidi

Rigoberta was a member of the resistance movement in Guatemala during its brutal civil war (1960-96). She followed in her father’s footsteps by joining the Committee for Peasant Unity in 1979 and becoming a member of the National Coordinating Committee 7 years later (1986). She escaped to Mexico in 1981. In 1983 she published book 1 Rigoberta Menchu which brought the world’s attention to this Silent Holocaust. Working with numerous local and international organizations she became a leading representative of indigenous and women’s rights around the world. In 1992 she won the Nobel Peace Prize. She was the first indigenous recipient and the youngest at the time. She was Presidential Goodwill Ambassador for the 1996 peace accords in Guatemala. She unsuccessfully stood for president in 2007 and 2011. Rigoberta’s activism for political and economic equality, human rights and climate change action continues Maliha Abidi Sources Wikipedia RISE: Extraordinary Women of Colour Who Changed the World by Maliha Abidi

In 2014 Nadia was kidnapped from her home town Kocho and held by the Islamic State for 3 months. ISIS in August 2014 wanted to eradicate Yardis through terrorism and violence. They shot 600 men; the boys were taken to training camps. They killed many of the older women; young women were taken to be sold as slaves. Nadia lost her mother and 6 brothers. Nadia was sold several times and suffered sexual violence by multiple men. On her first attempt to escape she was beaten and gang raped. Her second escape was successful. Hours later she reached an Arab house . The family, at great risk of their own lives, hid her and smuggled out of the region. From an Iraq refugee camp she moved to Germany. She began to speak about what had happened to her and the rest of her people tens of thousands of Yazidis had been killed or displaced. .In just over a year after the invasion she addressed the United Nations . She founded Nadia’s Initiative - a non-profit organization advocating for survivors of sexual violence and the rebuilding of communities in crisis. 2016 appointed first ever Goodwill Ambassador for the Dignity of Survivors of Human Trafficking. 2018 , with Denis Mukwege, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize * for their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and conflict*. She is the first Iraq and Yazidi to be awarded the Nobel Prize. Relentlessly she has urged the world to take action and bring ISIS to justice. Read sheet on Yazidis Definition ISIS Islamic State of Iraq and Syria Jihadist military group and terrorist organisation Sources Wikipedia RISE: Extraordinary Women of Colour Who Have Changed the World by Maliha Abidi

Shirin completed her degree 1969 and later was appointed a judge. In 1971 , during her judgeship. she obtained a doctorate. In 1975 she was appointed chief Magistrate. Following the Islamic Revolution in 1979 she was demoted to clerk.She applied for early retirement and left in protest. During the time she was unable to get a license she .began to write books and papers on human rights, Once readmitted she worked privately and with her team took on 6,000 cases without charge. The government saw her as a threat and imprisoned her. With international pressure it was reduced to a fine. Hearing of threats of assassination she moved to GB. In 2003 she was awarded the Nobel Peace Price for advocating democracy and human rights. She was the first Muslim to win the prize and only Iranian to win a Nobel. She has been in exile in London since 2009 but has never stopped fighting for the rights of Iranians. Sources Wikipedia RISE:Extraordinary Women of Colour Who Changed the World by Maliha Abidi

She was better known as Mum Shirl. She visited 1000s of prisoners in her life time. When asked by prison officials who she was she replied ’ their mother’. This all started when she visited her brother, Laurie, in prison. As a child she received little education because she suffered from epilepsy. She was unable to read or write but knew approximately 16 Aboriginal languages. This did not stop her from becoming a social worker, a humanitarian activist committed to justice and welfare of Aboriginal Australians. She was a founding member of many Aboriginal committees. ( See list) She dedicated her life to helping others. During her lifetime she was recognized as an Australian National Living Treasure. Sources Wikipedia *RISE: Extraordinary Women of Colour Who Changed the World * by Maliha Abidi

Sylvia is a Ugandan academic (BA, MA , DrP) and human rights activist in Uganda. In 2004 she was recognized by several women’s organizations in Uganda for her human rights activism. In a speech in October 2016 she called for a revision of the Ugandan laws that discriminate against women. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights Sylvia Tamale Sources Wikipedia RISE: Extraordinary Women of Colour Who Changed the World by Malihi Abidi

Shirin’s work centres on opposites religous/secular, East/West, masculine/feminine. She does not consider herself as an activist but sees her art *as an expression of protest, a cry for humanity When the Iran Revolution erupted in 1979 she was in the USA she wondered if she would ever see her family again. In 1990 she was reunited with her family in a very different Iran from the one she had left . It inspired her first major work Women of Allah which featured photographs of veiled women with overlaid text. It attracted global attention. It felt hear was someone who could describe what it was like to be an Iranian woman. Her art is too threatening for the Iranian Authorities so she has been in exile since 1996. Her art is a weapon on 2 fronts - against the Iran regime and the unreal perceptions of Iran held by the West. Sources Wikipedia RISE: Extraordinary Women of Colour Who Changed the World by Maliha Abidi