There are two kinds of women—goddesses and doormats, notes late Spanish painter and sculptor, Pablo Picasso; in a fit of introspection. Picasso’s witticism speaks to the essence of a burgeoning social reality. The latter kind of women are at their best, spoofs of their being and the defiant consciousness of the proverbial total African woman. Like the doormat, they are itemized as dispensable articles valuable only for the disposal of patriarchal sludge in every circumstance and every clime. Eventually, they choke on their cracked breath, in total submission to the will and might of the patriarchy.

Picasso’s ‘goddesses’ on the other hand are rebels; makers and breakers of myths and dissidents to established patriarchy. These goddesses by action and thought manifest as a challenge to the male gender’s superiority complex; they are makers and breakers of myth, a contemporary embodiment of medieval female revolt. Interestingly, however, as we celebrate Nigeria’s 55th anniversary, we are also celebrating 55 Nigerian Sisters who are creating meaning out of their crucible of experience to achieve monumental successes in their endeavors.

And we are so proud of them. No more petrified, they find every subject interesting and worthy of their robust engagements. Liberated by education and a more permissive society that has shaken the foundation of traditional tenets, they are no more content with standing still as the unbending, erect pole of support that their men can lean on. These women can be found in all walks of life, including areas where men once held and enjoyed exclusive dominance. Notable among such prominent women in the country are:

#55NigerianSisters

1.    Abike Dabiri Erewa
2.    Aderonke Adebayo Onipede
3.    Adesuwa Onyenekwe
4.    Ajoke Silva
5.    Alahja Abibatu Mogaji
6.    Amina Oyagbola
7.    Asa
8.    Barong Tony-Uranta
9.    Blessing Okagbare
10.    Bolanle Austin Peters
11.    Captain Chinyere Kalu
12.    Chief Mrs Alaba Lawson
13.    Chimamanda Ngozie Adichie
14.    Doctor Stella Adedevoh
15.    Dora Nkem Akunyili
16.    Efunroye Tinubu
17.    Flora Nwapa
18.    Folorunsho Alakija
19.    Gozie Coker
20.    Grace ihejiamaizu
21.    Hadiza Bala Usman
22.    Hajia Gambo Sawaba
23.    Ibukun Awosika
24.    Janet Mokelu
25.    Josephine Okei Odumakin
26.    Josephine Okeme
27.    Justice Rosemary Ukeje
28.    Kimberley Anyadike
29.    Kofo Ademola
30.    Kuforiji Olubi
31.    Ladi Kwali
32.    Laja Adedoyin
33.    Linda Ikeji
34.    Margaret Ekpo
35.    Mary Olushoga
36.    Maryam Babangida
37.    Mo Abudu
38.    Modupe Debbie Ariyo
39.    Ndidi Nwuneli
40.    Obiageli Ezekwesili
41.    Ola orekunrin
42.    Olufunmilayo Ransome Kuti
43.    Omobola Johnson
44.    Omotola Jalade Ekeinde
45.    Onikepo Akande
46.    Onyeka Onwenu
47.    osayi alile oruene
48.    Remi Shonaiya
49.    Sandra aguebor
50.    Sisi Abba Folawiyo
51.    Perpetual nwokocha
52.    Tara Fela-Durotoye
53.    Toyosi Akerele
54.    Virginia Ngozi Etiaba
55.    Winifred Awosika