Biographies of international women leaders in neurosurgery

We received so many biographies of women neurosurgery leaders for this issue that only a selection could be condensed here. In all them, the essence leader shines through. Many are included as “first” their country or color other achievement. All them outstanding—in clinical, academic, and organized neurosurgery. Two defining features tenacity service. When faced with shocking discrimination, numbing indifference, they ignored it fought valiantly. choosing life’s work, chose service, often most neglected—those pain, trauma, disability. These inspire point way to time when term “women leaders” an exception is unnecessary. —Katharine J. Drummond, MD, on behalf month’s topic editors