Peru's Ruth Shady makes BBC's list of 100 inspiring and influential women for 2020

According to the BBC, this year 100 women ranking is highlighting those who are leading change and making a difference during these turbulent times.

The list features women from around the world, including athletes, scientists, activists, writers, and social leaders from different areas of culture and economy who —due to their actions and life history— are acknowledged as leaders of profound socio-cultural changes. 

Dr. Shady is the only Peruvian featured in this prestigious ranking.

Ruth Shady was born on December 29, 1946 in Callao. From a very young age, she was encouraged by her father to pursue archaeology. He took her to archaeological sites and gave her history books that allowed her to broaden her horizons and discover new cultures.

Such passion led her to study Archeology and Anthropology at Lima's San Marcos University, become a teacher, and serve as head of research at the National Museum of Archeology, Anthropology, and History of Peru, where she also worked as director.

Shady has headed projects in Maranga (Lima), Pacopampa and Chota (Cajamarca), as well as Bagua (Amazonas), but it is her work at the Caral-Supe Special Archaeological Project that brought her international recognition —a work that seeks to conserve, preserve, and promote the importance of this site, which is considered to be the oldest civilization in the Americas.

She is director of multidisciplinary research at the Caral archaeological site. She has honorary doctorates from five Peruvian universities. In 2018 and 2019, she won the L'Oréal-UNESCO national prize for women in science. She was also awarded a Medal of Honor of the Congress of the Republic of Peru.

"Women should get involved in the activities that are required to promote change and to build a society where humans can live in harmony with each other and in balance with nature," the archaeologist was quoted by the BBC.

The list also includes Sanna Marin, who leads Finland's All-Female Coalition Government; Jane Fonda, a climate activist and actress; as well as Sarah Gilbert, who heads the Oxford University research into a COVID-19 vaccine.

(END) NDP/SPV/RMB/MVB