Women of the world have come a long way! From securing voting rights to pursuing equal opportunities at work, women have had to fight hard to break the barriers placed around them. However, as proven by the 14 women profiled in this book, regardless of whatever barriers may have existed and still exist, women over the centuries have forged ahead and fought against the odds to succeed! Why did I pick only 14 stories? Well, there are just so many stories to share. However, these ones cut across race, background, profession, status and even faith, but they all have one thing in common - they are women who didn't allow the circumstances they faced stop them from achieving their dreams. They all had a burning desire to fulfill purpose against all odds. They didn't care whether other women were typically seen to do what they did; they just went ahead and did it anyway. Each story about these very different women teaches us powerful lessons about how to live fulfilling and impactful lives despite the various challenges we all face. All these women were not necessarily trying to be famous... they were just being themselves, and in being who they were, they attracted fame and so much more. They may be long gone, but the lessons from their lives are still applicable today. Most of the women written about in this book have inspired me from my childhood, and that's why I wrote this book in language that even a young girl can easily grasp. It is written with the hope that women of all ages who read it can draw inspiration from it. In its simplicity, I believe there is depth for anyone to easily retrieve and run with.As I researched the women in this book, I was intrigued by all the amazing facts I uncovered, but a bit sad that for some of the women - especially the women from Nigeria - their beautiful stories had not been told enough. I am honored to help tell their important stories, and it is my desire that what I have been able to glean from their lives will be enough to inspire everyone who reads this book.At the end of every chapter, I have a question drawn from their lives to help us ponder as we keep growing as individuals. I urge you to reflect seriously on each question, take notes, discuss with others, and more importantly take positive action in the right direction. As I wrote this book I also thought about my mother, Nwamalubia Gloria "BB' Nwokedi (Nee Anadu). She no doubt had the hugest impact on me as a child, and when I am faced with challenges, I often think about how she would handle them. Despite being sent to live with relatives as a little girl and losing her mother at a young age, she was a woman of incredible strength. She didn't allow herself to become bitter from any negative experiences she passed through, and had an uncommon passion for people. Even though she passed on a while ago, I still hear stories from people she impacted with her wisdom, kindness and generosity. She was down to earth yet very classy, forward-thinking, extremely kind and giving in so many ways. One lesson I learnt from the incredible woman who birthed me was to see the best in every single person. By writing about the women in this book before you, it is my desire that we are all inspired to reach for the stars and keep pushing forward to positively affect others, while remaining true to ourselves. I hope that we are all inspired to achieve success in every area of our life... as mothers, daughters, wives, leaders, colleagues, friends, sisters...as women.