They're famous, formidable and just plain fantastic. In celebration of International Women's Day, here are 20 ladies who inspire and empower women of all generations across the world.

Aung San Suu Kyi

Born on 19 June 1945 as the third child and only daughther of Aung San, the father of modern-day Burma (who was assasinated by his rivals in 1947), Aung San Suu kyi became a Burmese opposition politician and chairperson of the National League for Democracy in Burma. She spoke out against the brutal rule of dictator U Ne Win and initiated a nonviolent movement toward achieving democracy and human rights.  On 1 April 2012, her party, the National League of Democracy, won 43 out of 45 vacant seats in the lower house. As a result, Suu Kyi was elected to the Pyithu Hluttaw, the lower house of the Burmese parliament.

Suu Kyi received many medals and awards in recognition for her unwavering fight and belief for political freedom and democracy. Among them, she received the Nobel Peace Prize (1991) and the Wallenberg Medal (2011). She was also presented the Congressional Gold Medal on 19 September 2012, which along with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, is the highest civilian honour in the United States.