The true essence of empowerment is evoked when women celebrate and find happiness in the wins of fellow women. While the idea of #WomenSupportingWomen extends support, it also knits communities of women who come together to empower one another and fight patriarchy. 2021 has been no exception as we witnessed impactful moments enabling such powerful communities.
From megawatt star Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ unstoppable business game to Kamala Harris becoming the first female Vice President of the United States—ahead, find our favourite empowering moments of 2021 so far.
1. Chloe Zhao Turning Tables At The Oscars
Best known for her movie Nomadland and a myriad independent films, Chinese filmmaker Chloe Zhao scored big at the 93rd Academy Awards this year. She took home the Oscar for the Best Director award, which made her the first woman of colour and only the second woman after Katheryn Bigelow to win the award. But that’s not all—Zhao also became the first woman in history to bag four Oscar nominations in a single year (Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Director, Best Picture and Best Film Editing categories). We must say, you go girl!
2. Captain Zoya Sapra Aggarwal Flying High
Selected by the United Nations as its spokesperson for Generation Equality, Captain Zoya Sapra Aggarwal made headlines a few months ago. With her life’s chief motto of making an ‘impact’ on the lives of youth to dream big, she has certainly created a benchmark for inspiration. The commercial pilot also became the first woman from Air India to be featured by the UN on a global platform.
3. Kamala Harris’ Historic Moment
Earlier this year, American politician and attorney Kamala Devi Harris rose to fame by becoming the first female vice president and the highest-ranking female official in U.S history. Harris was sworn in as the first African-American and first Asian American vice president of the United States on January 20, 2021 at the Presidential Inauguration. While her victory did send ripples across the globe, here’s what stood out the most from one of her speeches: “While I may be the first woman in this office, I won’t be the last.” Goosebumps!
4. Dr Swati Mohan Confirming Touchdown
After seven months in space, when NASA’s Perseverance rover gently touched down on the surface of Mars, it was Dr Swati Mohan who confirmed that the rover had plunged into the Martian atmosphere. An Indian-American scientist at NASA, she successfully spearheaded the development of the attitude control and landing system before announcing the rover’s touchdown in February. Soon after, the scientist went viral online for her calm, composed attitude and also for her bindi.
5. Entrepreneur Of The Year: Priyanka Chopra Jonas
Juggling between the bright lights of Hollywood and closer home, Bollywood—Priyanka Chopra Jonas struck yet again by bringing her A-game to the business front this year. From opening her own restaurant named Sona in New York, launching her beauty brainchild called Anomaly Haircare to finally publishing her much awaited memoir Unfinished, the global star proved that she’s quite the unstoppable woman.
6. All-Women Indian Pilot Crew Breaking Notions
In January, an all-women Air India crew made history as they landed in Bengaluru flying over from San Francisco (the longest non-stop commercial flight). Together, the crew covered a distance of 16,000 kms and also flew over the North Pole. Captain Zoya Sapra Aggarwal led the all-female crew along with Captain Papagari Thanmai, Captain Akansha Sonaware and Captain Shivani Manhas. Following the successful flight Captain Zoya shared, “Today, we created world history by not only flying over the North Pole but also by having all women pilots who successfully did it. We are extremely happy and proud to be part of it.”
Photographs: Instagram
