On International Women’s Day, 8 Vogue editors pick the intrepid women who inspire them

Growing up, I would always look for women who looked like me in film and television. Representation is so important—and for the past four decades, Michelle Yeoh has constantly broken boundaries. She’s been a Bond girl, led an all-Asian cast in Crazy Rich Asians which became the highest-grossing romcom in over a decade, and now at 60, she’s won her first Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award, and been nominated for an Oscar for her performance in Everything Everywhere All At Once. Her honesty, humility and sense of humour are admirable and she’s outdressed everyone this awards season. A queen! — Chloe Chou, Junior Writer and Editorial Assistant

Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo’s paintings often dealt with themes of pain, identity, and the human condition. Her self-portraits, in particular, are considered some of the most powerful works in art history and have inspired generations of artists. “Feet, what do I need them for, if I have wings to fly?” This quote is interpreted as a reflection on Kahlo’s experiences with physical pain and disability. Despite her many health issues, Kahlo refused to hold herself back from pursuing her dreams and passions. — Shagun Jangid, Junior Designer

Sushmita Sen

A former Miss Universe, actor, poet and single mother, Sushmita Sen is an inspiration to scores of girls who want to conquer the world. From being the first Indian woman to win the diamond-studded crown at the age of 18 to adopting a girl child while being unmarried—all while cementing her place in Bollywood, Sen has led life on her own terms and always been vocal about her belief system. That’s not all; she has also been at the forefront of several women’s causes and social welfare initiatives, for which she was presented the Champions of Change Award in 2020. Her words from the Miss Universe 1994 stage still resonate with me: “Just being a woman is a gift of God that all of us must appreciate. The origin of a child is a mother, who is a woman.” — Shalini Kanojia, Editorial Associate

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