4 The Trailbrazers

South Asian women to remember this Women’s History Month

by Cate Reynolds

Throughout history, South Asian women have broken barriers and risen above the constraints of their time to achieve greatness in their fields. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, there’s no better time to remember some of their important contributions to the world.

Maharani Gayatri Devi

Maharani Gayatri Devi was an elegant, accomplished, and beautiful woman, a princess who achieved great success as a leader despite the traditional constraints on women of her time. In 1962, she won a seat in the Indian Parliament with 192,909 votes out of 246,516 cast—a record-breaking majority as recorded by the Guinness Book of Records. She held on to this seat for 12 years against the ruling party of the time.

Kartar Dhillon

Kartar Dhillon lived a colorful life, with professions ranging from waitress to machinist to author. Daughter of one of the first Punjabi pioneers to arrive in the US in the late 1800s, her family agitated against British colonial rule in India through the Ghadar party while supporting the rights of American workers through International Workers of the World. Dhillon was also an ardent political activist involved with the Black Panther movement of the 1960s and the San Francisco, Teamsters, and Abestos Worker’s unions.

PK Rosy

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Kalpana Chawla

Kalpana Chawla was a scientist and astronaut who made history when she became the first South Asian woman to travel to space. Sadly, tragedy struck in 2003 when the shuttle she was on disintegrated during re-entry over Texas, resulting in the death of all seven crew members. She is remembered today through several annual awards, including The Kalpana Chawla Award for Excellence, handed to outstanding female scientists working in India each year since 2002.