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My name is Ritah, and I am an international student ambassador pursuing a doctorate in film, media, and creative technology. Role models can be tremendous sources of inspiration and motivation. This International Women's Day, I am celebrating three women who have inspired me in different ways and continue to remind me of what is possible.

1- Nampiima Flavia (acid-attack survivor)

On the night of October 6, 2009, Flavia had just returned home from university and was walking into her compound when she heard footsteps behind her. When she turned around, an unknown person threw a liquid on her. It was acid. The attack severely burnt her face, throat, arms, and chest, permanently changing the course of her life. What followed was a long journey of reconstructive surgeries, alongside the deeper work of rebuilding her inner strength and confidence and learning to live in the world as a survivor. Unfortunately, her attacker was never caught.

In a world where women are constantly measured against unrealistic beauty standards and objectified in media, it is easy to lose sight of who we truly are. Speaking about her healing, Flavia says:

"I have learned to love my inner self because I know my scars are part of me, but they are not all there is. There is more to me than just being a burn survivor… If someone chooses to love me or be my friend, it is because of who I am."

Today, Flavia continues to advocate for burn survivors. After putting her education on hold for some time to focus on healing, Flavia is now working toward pursuing her master's degree in counselling so she can walk alongside others as they navigate their own healing journeys. And for many of us who already know her, she is a source of strength.

2- Yaya DaCosta

As a film student, a list would feel incomplete without someone from the creative industry, so my choice is Yaya DaCosta. Yaya is a renowned American actress and model who finished second on Cycle 3 of America's Next Top Model. She went on to build a successful career and stars as a formidable prosecutor in the television series The Lincoln Lawyer. In 2024, she also launched an innovative line of headwraps called 'Wraps N' Raps'.

It is this line of headwraps that particularly inspires me, especially in how it came to be. As an international student, I navigate spaces where identity and cultural expression intersect every day, sometimes leading to misunderstanding. During Top Model, Yaya was criticised by judges for her 'intensity' and for proving her 'Blackness', with comments suggesting that she should wear more glamorous outfits instead of her natural appearance. Instead of conforming, she remained true to authenticity and continued to celebrate her roots and heritage.

By embracing her bohemian headwraps and styling her natural hair, Yaya has become a pioneer figure in hair and cultural expression in high fashion. Her commitment to authentic self-representation has also helped build a career with strong and complex roles as a Black actress. She has done this all while living with Tourette's syndrome, a neurodiversity disorder characterised by involuntary tics and movements. Her journey reminds me of the power that exists when we refuse to let the world define our identity or limit our potential. That said, protective hairstyles will always be my go-to in winter.

3 - Yael Friedman

I will keep this one short and precise. I am now at the stage in my PhD journey; whenever someone asks which year I am in, my answer will remain the same. 'I'm in my final year!' Ha! Writing a PhD thesis is challenging, but many postgrads can relate. When you lose momentum, it is often difficult to pick yourself up again. So, my third pick goes to my first supervisor, Yael Friedman, whose words I always remember, I don't think she knows how profound they were to me, but she said, "Forgive yourself for things you did not do yesterday." Whenever I experience writer's block or lose focus, these words help me reset and remind me that the finish line is still within reach.

And if I were to add a slightly cheeky final mention, it would be Leah from the first novel I recall truly falling in love with as a child, Mine Boy, by Peter Abrahams. There was something about her boldness, her wit, and her constant desire to always help people in her community that stayed with me. In many ways, she reminds me of my mum's generosity too. Ha! See what I did there.

Happy International Women's Day to every woman who reads this. May we continue to inspire one another, evolve and share love.