In less than a month, ladies across the globe will celebrate International Women’s Day, which is held each year on March 8.

The day marks hundreds of women’s struggle for global equality and change and even goes back to the days before women even had voting rights internationally.

International Women’s Day has been observed since the early 1900s when women’s oppression and inequality spurred on women to become more vocal and active in campaigning for change.

In 1908, 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights. A year later, in accordance with a declaration by the Socialist Party of America, the first National Woman’s Day was observed across the United States.

To this day, worldwide women continue to contribute to social, economic, cultural and political achievement on International Women’s Day. It is a day when women are recognised for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political.

And it’s also a time for looking back on past struggles and accomplishments, and for looking ahead to the potential and opportunities that await future generations of women.

And there is certainly much to celebrate today, including some of these, just three of the world’s most inspirational women, in no particular order.

ANNE FRANK

During her stay in Netherlands while hiding from the German forces, Jewish teenager Anne Frank was given a diary by her father when she was 13.

It was published after her death in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp at the age of 15, serving as a unique eyewitness account of life during the Holocaust in the Second World War.

It’s one of the world’s most read books.

MOTHER TERESA

Also known as ‘Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, Mother Teresa looked after those who had nobody to look after them, through her own order ‘The Missionaries of Charity’.

She worked tirelessly, primarily in India. and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, but due to ill health she was forced to step down as head of her order in 1997, the same year she died.

FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE

Florence Nightingale nursed wounded soldiers during the Crimean war, which ran from 1853-56.

Her passion and dedication to the profession changed public’s perception about nursing. Her insistence on improving sanitary conditions for the patients is believed to have saved many lives.

Who would you say are the most inspirational women in today's society? Let us know in the comments box below or via email to cheshire.news@trinitymirror.com