BBC adds two Ukrainians to its annual 100 Women list

The British company BBC has published its annual 100 Women list. It includes public figures who influenced society in 2024, namely activists, Olympic champions, singers, and artists.

In particular, two of these women are Ukrainians - Olha Rudnieva, founder of the Superhumans prosthetics center, and farmer Olha Olefirenko, who fulfilled the dream of her father, a Navy commander who lost his life for Ukraine at the front. "BBC 100 Women acknowledges the toll this year has taken on women by celebrating those who – through their resilience – are pushing for change, as the world changes around them," the BBC's official website says.

Olha Rudnieva

Olha Rudnieva, founder of the Superhumans Center, which specializes in prosthetics, reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation for war victims, realized her mission shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. For the public figure, soldiers who lost their limbs in combat are "superhumans."

The Ukrainian woman runs the Superhumans trauma center in Lviv, which employs a team of specialists. Since its opening, more than a thousand people have used the clinic's services. "Resilience is to wake up morning after morning to air sirens and keep fighting for your country. It’s rediscovering your ‘what for?’ instead of being stuck at ‘why me?’ It’s finding ways to do more, having less every day," Rudnieva said.

Olha Olefirenko

After the death of her father in 2015, Olha Olefirenko decided to fulfill her family's dream. In memory of the defender, the Ukrainian woman set up a farm. However, she soon faced financial difficulties and was forced to sell all the animals.

Still, this did not make Olefirenko give up and abandon the aspirations of her father, a Navy commander who died in Donbas. In 2023, the entrepreneur drew up a business plan and applied for a grant from the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation. After receiving funding, the farm reopened its doors. This time, Olefirenko focused on modernizing the enterprise and applying new agricultural technologies. In addition, the farmer's initiative has created jobs for the local community.

We remind you that last year, three Ukrainian women were named among the BBC's 100 Women: writer Oksana Zabuzhko, children's rights advocate Olena Rozvadovska, and climate policy advisor Iryna Stavchuk.

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