Meet the 100 Women Who Are Redefining Resilience in 2024
What does it mean to be resilient? Is it simply getting back up after you’ve been knocked down? Or is it something more—something transformative?
This year, women across the globe have faced unprecedented challenges: from navigating deadly conflicts and political polarization to confronting the harsh realities of a changing climate. In response, they haven’t just survived; they’ve pioneered new forms of strength, leadership, and change. The BBC’s 100 Women list for 2024 isn’t just a ranking—it’s a powerful testament to what happens when women turn adversity into action.
These stories aren’t just headlines; they’re blueprints. They show us how courage looks in practice, how empathy drives innovation, and how sisterhood can rebuild communities. Let’s dive into the journeys of a few of these extraordinary leaders—and discover what their resilience can teach us all.
Turning Personal Awakening Into Systemic Change
When Colombian actress Johana Bahamón walked into a prison, she didn’t just see inmates—she saw people yearning for dignity and a second chance. That moment reshaped her life’s mission. She left her acting career behind and founded Fundación Acción Interna, an organization that has since supported over 150,000 incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people across Colombia.
But Johana didn’t stop there. She championed the Second Opportunities Law, also known as the Johana Bahamón Bill, which creates economic incentives for companies to hire and train people after prison. Her work reminds us that real resilience isn’t just about bouncing back—it’s about reaching back and lifting others with you.
Rebuilding Heritage, Restoring Hope
In Yemen, years of war have left historical sites in ruins—but Harbia Al Himiary saw more than damaged buildings. She saw identity, history, and community crumbling away. As a heritage conservation engineer, she partnered with UNESCO to restore dozens of residential and heritage structures, preserving not just stones and mortar, but the soul of her culture.
Her work goes beyond restoration; it’s about regeneration. By training local residents—especially young girls—in traditional building crafts, she’s ensuring that skills and stories are passed down to new generations. In the face of loss, she’s building a legacy of hope.
Using Art to Advocate for Justice
Through her lens, Ethiopian photographer Maheder Haileselassie captures painful truths often overlooked by the world. In regions devastated by drought, she documents how climate crises are driving families toward desperate choices—including child marriage. Her award-winning work, *Between Yesterday and Tomorrow*, puts a human face on startling statistics: human rights groups estimate that climate-related crises could increase child marriage rates by a third by 2050.
Maheder’s photography does more than raise awareness—it stirs conscience and calls for action. She uses visual storytelling not as an end, but as a beginning for deeper conversation and change.
Education as an Act of Resistance
When the Taliban banned Afghan girls from attending secondary school, Hamida Aman responded not with surrender, but with innovation. She launched Begum Academy, an online platform offering free multimedia courses in Dari and Pashto for grades 7 through 12. In just one year, the academy delivered over 8,500 videos, ensuring education could continue even behind closed doors.
Later, she expanded her mission with Begum TV, broadcasting lessons via satellite to reach even more young women. In a world that tried to silence them, Hamida turned technology into a tool of liberation, proving that where there’s a screen, there’s still a school.
The Unbreakable Voice
Fifty years ago, Portuguese writer Maria Teresa Horta and her colleagues, known as the “Three Marias,” published *New Portuguese Letters*—a bold mix of fiction, poetry, and commentary on women’s lives. The authoritarian government banned the book and put them on trial for “abusing the freedom of the press.”
Their case sparked international protests and became a symbol of resistance. When the regime fell in 1974, their voices rang louder than ever. Today, Maria’s story reminds us that words are not just art—they are acts of courage that can help topple empires.
The TechMae Takeaway
What unites these women isn’t fame or title—it’s their unwavering commitment to turning struggle into strength. They teach us that resilience is not a solo journey, but a collective rise. Whether restoring ancient buildings, educating girls against all odds, or advocating for the overlooked, each of these leaders shows us that the future is not something we enter—it’s something we build, together.
At TechMae, we believe in the power of women supporting women. These stories aren’t just inspiration; they’re invitations—to step into our own power, to support one another, and to create change right where we are.
Inside the TechMae app, women are already unpacking stories like this together. Join the conversation—because when women rise, we all rise.
