International Women's Day 2022: Know these 5 women philanthropists
Every year March 8 is celebrated as International Women's Day and this year the theme is "Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow." The day celebrates women, their contribution to society and aims to fight all kinds of gender bias. While women have conquered every possible arena today, let's take a look at some women philanthropists who have made a difference to the world.
Nita Ambani
The founder and chairperson of the Reliance Foundation aims for rural development in terms of education, health, culture and heritage, sports for development, and disaster response. During the 2020 pandemic, Nita Ambani got featured in a well-known magazine for leading the foundation's efforts through Mission Anna Seva. Her contribution of $72 million was used to set up India's first COVID-19 hospital.
Sudha Murthy
Heading the Infosys Foundation since 1996, Sudha Murthy is dedicated to serving the underprivileged by empowering them. Her Foundation donated over Rs. 100 crore to relief efforts during the pandemic. The Foundation also opened a hospital for COVID-19 patients in Bengaluru. After stepping down from the position of Chairperson of the Infosys Foundation last year, she has continued with her philanthropic efforts.
Melinda French Gates
Computer scientist and philanthropist, she founded the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000 with Bill Gates. It works to help people lead healthy and productive lives. While it focuses on improving health in developing countries, it tries to ensure access to good education in the United States. Her Foundation has donated over $1 billion to the cause of providing contraception to poor women.
Priscilla Chan
Philanthropist and pediatrician, Priscilla Chan along with her husband, Mark Zuckerberg, established the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative back in 2015. Their mission is to help cure, prevent or manage all diseases in our children's lifetime. The couple has invested 99% of their fortune from Facebook in this limited liability company. It focuses on building a more inclusive, just, and healthy future for everyone.
MacKenzie Scott
MacKenzie Scott donated $4.2 billion in December 2020 in addition to the $1.7 billion she gave away earlier that year. Her donations came after she signed the Giving Pledge in 2019, after announcing her divorce from Jeff Bezos. Named as the world's most powerful woman by Forbes in 2021, Ms. Scott is the 21st-wealthiest individual in the world.
