KALPANA CHAWLA- She was a Tomboy, growing up in Karnal in Haryana. She learned Karate in her early years and she dared to dream. She had a special likening for flying. She qualified from over 2962 applicants to earn herself a place in the Space Shuttle Columbia for a 16 day out of the world experience. The NASA chief called her a "Terrific astronaut". The U.S. space shuttle Columbia with a seven-member crew that included Chawla, 41, disintegrated in flames over central Texas shortly before it was scheduled to land at Cape Canaversal in Florida. On February 1, 2003, at an altitude of 63 kilometers and a velocity of 20,000 km/hr, Columbia disintegrated killing Kalpana and her six colleagues.The satellite serves to perpetuate the memory of Kalpana who sacrificed her life to the cause of peaceful uses of outer spac

    KIRAN BEDI -"It is always possible" is the philosophy of her life. She is a Magsaysay Award winner for her writings. She is the most controversial IPS woman officer who was known for hauling off illegally parked cars in the city of Delhi, cleaning the Augean Stables of Tihar Jail. In between she ruffled a few feathers

     ASHA BHOSLE -All her life she had to play a supporting role for her "Didi". She has a sensuous voice that even Lata can't match. Nobody young or old can match her allure. She is a great songstress who can beat the new generation singers as well.

     SANIA MIRZA- Sania Mirza became the first Indian to have won a Grand Slam title when she triumphed in the girls' doubles event at Wimbledon , partnering Alisa Kleybanova of Russia. She won the Wimbledon junior girls' doubles title and became their "brand ambassador" for 2004 - the year of the girl child.

     MANEKA GANDHI - She is the young "Bahu" of the Gandhi family. She is a dedicated and vocal environmentalist who crusades for the cause of animal rights which often land up her in controversies. She also fights for human rights and has freed many children working in the carpet industry.

     REITA FARIA - She was the first Indian woman to win the Miss world title in 1966. She made the whole world sit up and look at India. By winning the crown, she showed the way for later competitors and gave them a confidence that they can take the world by storm. After her one year tenure she refused modeling and films and concentrated on medical studies which is a sure act to make the present day Miss Worlds to look up on their promised professions.

Jeannette Rankin

First woman in Congress

Florence E. Allen

First woman judge

Hallie Ferguson

First woman governor of U. S. state (Texas)

Katherine Bement Davis

First person to conduct national survey of sexual attitudes

Jane Addams

First woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize

Hattie Wyatt Caraway

First woman elected to U.S. Senate

Amelia Earhart

First woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean

Ruth Bran Owen

First woman foreign diplomat

Pearl S. Buck

First woman to win a Nobel Prize for Literature

Hattie McDaniel

First African-American of any gender to win an Academy Award (she won for Best Supporting Actress in the film, Gone with the Wind).

Linda Darnell

First woman to sell securities on the New York Stock Curb Exchange

Conchita V. Cintron

First U.S. woman bullfighter in Spain

Georgia Nesse Clark

First woman treasurer of the United States

Muriel Siebert

First woman to own seat on the New York Stock Exchange

Janice Lee York Romary

First woman to carry U.S. flag at the Olympic Games

Mary Clarke

First woman to be named major general in U.S. Army

Ella Grasso

First woman govenor to be re-elected (Connecticut)

Sandra Day O'Connor

First woman a justice of the U. S. Supreme Court

Sally Kristen Ride

First American woman to reach outer space.

Joan Benoit

First woman to win an Olympic marathon

Penny Harrington

First woman police chief of major U. S. city (Portland, OR)

Ann Bancroft

First woman to walk to North Pole

Christa McAuliffe

First woman citizen passenger on a space mission

Lt. Col. Eileen Collins

First American woman to pilot a Space Shuttle

Madeleine K. Albright

First woman Secretary of State and highest ranking woman in the U.S. government

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Only First Lady ever elected to the United States Senate

Halle Berry

First African-American woman to win a Best Actress Oscar

Condoleezza Rice

First African-American woman to be appointed Secretary of State

Nancy Pelosi

First woman to become Speaker of the House