Women who made a difference in 2020, from India’s first female rock band to cancer survivor who beat the illness twice

Hong Kong-based scientist Angélica Anglés is searching for life on Mars, while funeral director Ang Jolie Mei helps Singaporeans work through their sorrows

Chef Hnin Yee Htun’s vows to introduce Burmese cuisine worldwide and lawyer Clara Rita Padilla wants abortion decriminalised in the Philippines

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Members of all-female Indian rock band Meri Zindagi. They are just some of the inspirational women whose stories have appeared in the Post in 2020.

Published: 1:15pm, 26 Dec 2020Updated: 1:59pm, 30 Dec 2020

For many, 2020 has been a year we’d rather forget. But there have been some glimpses of light. We look back at some of the most inspiring women of the year.

India’s first female rock band sings for empowerment

India’s first female rock band, Meri Zindagi, sings for gender equality and empowerment, their songs tackling major social issues that women regularly face in India, such as domestic violence, female infanticide and child marriage. Read more here

Planetary scientist Angélica Anglés takes samples in the Qaidam Basin on the Tibetan Plateau. Photo: Courtesy of Dr Angélica Anglés

Scientist’s mission to find life on Mars

Angélica Anglés’ passion for planets started as a young girl growing up in the Spanish city of Valencia, stargazing with her grandfather. Now based in Hong Kong, the planetary scientist, astrobiologist and astrophysicist is encouraging more schoolgirls to take STEM subjects. But her main mission is to find life on Mars. Read more here

Singaporean funeral director Ang Jolie Mei. Photo: Ang Jolie Mei

Funeral director demystifies death for Singaporeans

Ang Jolie Mei helps grieving Singaporeans work through their sorrow by inviting them to help wash, beautify and dress dead relatives for their funerals. She has modernised the funeral business in other ways, such as by providing special services for children and even fetuses, and written a book about it. Read more here

Chef Hnin Yee Htun in a market in Yangon, Myanmar. Photo: Kenji Photograph