BBC 100 women of 2020

[ArabellaScott]

A pretty interesting collection of women from around the world, covering many fields in arts, science, activism, etc. I believe it was collated from the World Service, so it's refreshing to see a wider picture of women around the world. Jackie Kay, the Scottish makar (equivalent of a laureate) is on there.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-55042935

Yeah, but if it were a man, the triplets would be mentioned as an after thought to their huge achievement of being part of a pandemic vaccine breakthrough. With the woman, it's in the headline!

The "pink-haired scientist" is Siouxsie Wiles who has done a huge amount for science communication. For example she popularized the phrase "flatten the curve" with regard to the Covid outbreak. I follow her on Twitter and although she can occasionally be daftly woke it's not her main thing and she definitely deserves a place on the list.

Why is a model on the list in the middle of all those activists and scientists?

So, 99 out of 100. Are we supposed to be grateful?

A model 🙄

"Not many models can say their first ever job was for Givenchy"

No, that's quite an 'achievement'. ffs

Which one was the model?

I honestly think we shouldn’t focus on the model, but instead focus on the amazing women from all over the world doing such incredible things.

Such amazing women on this. With a shit day off the back of the amnesty Ireland bullshit this has made me happy

@Catmaiden someone called Lea T

@Impatiens, thanks!

Actually, trawled through the 100 images, and found the trans person, with no problem.
Wonder why?

Please let this be a thread of celebration!

Well, to be fair it does say Transgender Model prominently. I probably would have found it hard to tell from the one photo otherwise.

Apart from my sadness at the need of the beeb to include such a person on a list of Women, surely if they have to there's a better example of achievement' than a model? Alongside scientists and civil rights activists and brave politicians - seriously?

Surely there must be a trans person who's doing more important things in the world?

Please let this be a thread of celebration!

Yes, please! So many women to admire.

For example, Dr Jemimah Kariuki saving mother's and babies by setting up a free ambulance service in Kenya:
www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-kenya-ambulances-idUSKBN2481KU

@WorkingItOutAsIGo

I honestly think we shouldn’t focus on the model, but instead focus on the amazing women from all over the world doing such incredible things.

Yes, this. I have to say I opened the article with a bit of dread. It was great to see a real range of issues represented - science, sport, grass roots community efforts, IT, music, arts, journalism.

Continuing to enjoy these women's stories.

Somaya Faruqi - 18 years old! -

'When Afghanistan’s first case of Covid-19 was reported in her home province of Herat, Somaya and her all-female robotics team – the "Afghan Dreamers" – set to work on a low-cost ventilator to treat coronavirus patients.

Somaya and her team are planning to show their design to the Ministry of Public Health. If the prototype is approved, it could be used in remote hospitals. '

Absolutely awe inspiring list to read through.

Would also like this thread to focus on the positives!

Is pointing out the Trans Woman being included, somehow detracts from the celebration of the 99 women on the list ?

Personally, I'd prefer to see 100 xx chromosome humans on this list. A list of women should be of adult human females, surely?

If that becomes the focal point then yes, it does detract from the other 99.

It should, Cat, but for once I'd like to think about, talk about, focus on the women instead of the other.

Good point

I like this one a lot - young women like this make me happy.

Macinley Butson began coming up with inventions when she was seven years old. Now 20, she has invented a range of devices, whose aims include improving outcomes for radiotherapy breast-cancer patients and providing safe drinking water for developing communities.
She has become an inspirational role model for young Australians, showing how they can give back to the community through science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Nothing defines our ability to create change. I implore every woman around the world to ask themselves, “If not me, then who? If not now, then when?”

I’m keeping this list to savour, story by story, over the next few days.

Unavoidably, two shadows over these achievements: 1) obviously we’re not allowed a full 100 inspiring women, and 2) no level of achievement gives women the right to show their faces in some countries, eg Yemen, where Iman Ghaleb Al-Hamli manages a group of 10 women who set up a solar microgrid, offering clean and low-impact energy, just 20 miles from the front line of the devastating Yemeni civil war.

Being reminded of women’s low status intensifies my admiration for all these female role models. Congratulation and thanks to them all.

Surgery does not maketh man a woman.