Time magazine has unveiled its 2026 Women of the Year list, placing three prominent Indian origin pioneers at the forefront of a global movement toward equity and innovation.
Two Indian Americans, Dr. Reshma Kewalramani and Reshma Saujani and India based Safeena Husain, are among the 16 honourees recognized for transforming systemic challenges into opportunities for progress.
At the intersection of science and leadership, Dr. Reshma Kewalramani has broken significant ground as the first female CEO of a major U.S. biotech firm, Vertex Pharmaceuticals.
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Under her guidance, the company has pioneered CRISPR-based gene-editing therapies, offering life-changing treatments for diseases like sickle cell. Her inclusion highlights a career dedicated to clinical excellence and the belief that scientific breakthroughs must be accessible to all.
Another pillar of this influential trio is Reshma Saujani, the founder of Moms First and Girls Who Code. Saujani has shifted her focus toward the “care crisis,” advocating for federal policies that support working mothers and affordable childcare. Her work emphasizes that economic equity is impossible without a robust support system for the women who anchor the workforce.
Joining them is Safeena Husain, the founder of Mumbai-based Educate Girls. Husain has spent nearly two decades tackling the gender gap in India’s rural classrooms. By mobilizing community volunteers, her organization has successfully brought over 1.5 million out-of-school girls back into the education system.
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“It’s about ensuring no girl is left behind because of where she was born,” Husain noted in her profile, reflecting her commitment to grassroots empowerment.
“These women are not just identifying problems; they are building the infrastructure for a better future,” said Time CEO Jessica Sibley.
The selection of these three leaders underscores the profound impact the Indian diaspora continues to have on global health, social mobility, and economic policy.
The full 2026 cohort also includes cultural icons like actor Teyana Taylor and Olympic champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. However, by leading with specialists in medicine and social advocacy, Time signals a shift toward celebrating “architects of change” who work behind the scenes to dismantle long-standing barriers.
The honorees will be officially recognized at a gala in Los Angeles in March. The event serves as a platform for these leaders to share strategies, ensuring their individual successes fuel a broader, more inclusive global agenda for the year ahead.