With International Women’s Day ahead, it feels especially important to reflect on the women whose leadership drives progress across global health and community resilience.

At Direct Relief, we have the privilege of working alongside extraordinary women who are strengthening health systems, rebuilding communities, and expanding opportunity in ways that will last generations. Today, I want to recognize a few whose work deeply inspires me.

Reema Nanavaty

On May 12, 2025, Reema Nanavaty, Secretary General of the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) of India, visited Direct Relief to lead a discussion on advancing health access, climate resilience, and economic empowerment for women in the informal workforce.…