Hayat is famous for making major contributions to point-of-care nedival testing and biotechnology. She is ranked by Arabian business as the ninth most Influential Arab woman. Hayat’s own inventions for Diagnostic for All include a Magnetic Acoustic Resonance Sensor, which can help diagnose illnesses on the spot- invaluable where advanced health care is scarce.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

Meera, better known as Mirabai and venerated as Sant Meerabai, was a 16th century Hindu mystic poet and devotee of Krishna. Aged 3 she was given a little Mira, a doll of Sri Krishna, by a wandering religious man. She decided then to follow Sri Krishna for the rest of her life. She has been the subject of numerous folk tales and hagiographic l.egends. It is widely acknowledged that Mirabai dedicated her life to Krishna, composing song of devotion and was one of the most important poet-saint of the Bhakti movement period. Some Hindu temples are dedicated to her memory. Sources Wikipedia Herstory by Katherine Halligan

Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo y Calderon was a Mexican painter known for her many portraits, 55 were self portraits and the other 88 works inspired by nature and artifacts of Mexico. She used a naive folk art style to explore questions of identity, postcolonialism, gender, class and race in Mexican Society. Her paintings often had strong autobiographical elements and mixed realism with fantasy. Aged 6 she got polio- afterwards she walked with a limp. Her father encouraged her to play football swim and wrestle to strengthen her body. Aged 18 Frida was very seriously injured. She nearly died when a bus crashed into a tram and a metal smashed right through her body… Bored after months recovering she began to paint again. Her father helped by hanging a mirror over her bed so she could paint a portrait of herself of while lying down… She loved animals and she had many pets who brightened her life. She married Diego Rivera a famous Mexican artist. Her injuries meant they were unable to have children. Many of her painting were inspired by her sadness about it. Diego became jealous when Frida also became famous. They divorced in 1939 and got married again in 1940 As she grew in fame and popularity her health grew worse. She had over 30 operations in her lifetime and lived in constant pain. She lost the battle with pneumonia and died at the age of 47. She has become more popular than her paintings. She is admired for her creativity, her bravery and for following her heart. 55 self portraits -I paint myself because I am so often alone, and because I am the subject I know best - Frida Kahl (She often painted herself as harsh and unattractive with heavy eyebrows and a moustache). Sources used Wikipedia Herstory ** by Katherine Halligan

Empress Wu Zetian was China’s first and only female ruler She was de facto ruler of the Tang dynasty from 665-705, ruling first through others as empress consort for her husband Emperor Gaozong and then their sons Emperors Zhongzong and Ruizong ,and then (from 690) as empress dowager in her own right. Under her 40 year reign China grew larger, becoming one of the great powers of the world, its culture and economy were revitalized and corruption in the court was reduced. She was removed from power in a coup and died a few months later. As a 14 year old the bright and beautiful Wu Zetian was noticed by Emperor Taizong and became his concubine…She soon had considerable political power After his death she married his ninth son and successor, Emperor Gaozong. After their wedding In 655 she became the empress consort- the highest ranking of the wives. She was a strong,charismatic , vengeful, ambitious and well-educated women who enjoyed the absolute affection of her husband. In 660 Gaozong suffered a stroke and in 665 she became administrator of the court a position equal to the emperors. (He died in 683) She was at the helm of the country for long years, her power is no different from that of the emperor. Sources Wikipedia Herstory by Katherine Halligan

Theresa is the paramount chief , or Inkosi, of the Dedza District in the central region of Malawi. She was the youngest of 12 siblings.She married and had children- all boys. Theresa for 27 years worked as a secretary for the College of Zambia District in southern Malawi. In 2003 the chiefs of the district chose her to be the next senior chief of the district, a district of 900, 000 people… She found that there were high rates of child marriage in her district- children aged 7 and upwards. She could not persuade parents to change their views but was able to convince community leaders to change the civil code to ban early marriages. 50 sub-chiefs agreed to abolish early marriage and annul existing unions. In 2015 a law was passed which prevented marriage before 18. But the constitution and customary law administered by traditional authorities still said children could still marry if the parents agreed. By 2019 she had managed to have over 3,500 early marriages annulled. She is now working to raise the legal age in Mallawi to 21. Her actions have brought her international recognition. UN Women and UNICEF plan to work with traditional leaders elsewhere to replicate the best practices of Theresa. Educate a girl and you educate the whole area- You educate the world Theresa Kachindamoto Sources used Wikipedia Herstory by Katherine Hallidan

Saint Nicodemus is mentioned 3 times in St. John’s Gospel. He is not mentioned in the synoptic gospels of Matthew. Mark or Luke. He visits Jesus one night to discuss Jesus’ teaching. Here he is referred to as being a prominent leader among the Jews John ch 3 v 1. He is mentioned when Jesus faced the Sanhedrin. Here he is referred to as being a ruler and Pharisee. John ch 7 After Jesus’ crucifixion he provided the customary spices for anointing the dead when he assists Joseph of Arimathea in preparing the body of Jesus for burial - John ch.19. H e was a Pharisee , a ruler and a member of the Sanhedrin. Although there is no explicit mention of him as a follower or disciple of Jesus in the New Testament he is considered to be a secret disciple of Jesus by both the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches based on the narrative of John ch 19.

Thomas was born at Ballylin, near Limerick, Ireland in 1730. Aged 19 he heard the true Gospel preached for the first time from a travelling Methodist preacher on the streets of Limerick on St Patrick’s day. After a period of terrible internal wrestling he experienced a mighty conversion. He soon joined the Methodists, He began to preach when he was only 20. He died at the young age of 28. In those 8 years he contributed greatly to the spread of Methodism in Ireland. The peasants flocked to hear their own but touching language. He went like a flame of fire preaching twice or thrice a day, usually in the open air. He became famous throughout the country. John Wesley in 1753 called him to London. He said I do not remember ever to have known such a preacher who in so few years as he remained on earth, was the instrument of converting so many people. He was a biblical linguist -especially in Hebrew and Greek Such a master of Biblical Knowledge never saw before and never expect to see again. John Wesley He burned the candle at both ends -through his preaching, intense study, habitual absorption and excessive labour that fatigue broke him down. He died with words of rapture on his lips - April 8th 1759 Sources Wikipedia iLimerick City Church