With Mother's day on Sunday, we decided to have a celebration of our own, minus the mush. Here's our list of firebrands, who defied (and still do) convention. Need further proof? All their names have 'Mother' in them
With Mother's day on Sunday, we decided to have a celebration of our own, minus the mush. Here's our list of firebrands, who defied (and still do) convention. Need further proof? All their names have 'Mother' in them
Mothers. Where would we be without them! Yes, quite literally. But what about those universal mother figures that have influenced, and continue to do so, generations of women (and men), by forcing us to rewrite conventional roles and expectations. From Mata Amritanandamayi to Ma-donna, we've gone through our archives to bring you women that have encouraged every emotion from scorn to devotion. Here's why...
Most giving: Mother Teresa
If you thought taking care of one child was tough, consider this woman who found her raison d' tre in taking care of thousands, who had no one to call 'Mother', but her. Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, the future Mother Teresa, ministered to the poor, sick, dying, orphaned and crippled for 45 long years. The Roman Catholic nun and missionary, famously known as the 'Saint of the Gutters' and best recognised in her blue-bordered white saree, just might embody 'humanity', unlike anyone else.
Most multi-faceted: Mata Hari
Trained kindergarten teacher. Exotic dancer. Courtesan. Rumoured spy. Femme fatale. Born Margaretha Geertruida Zelle MacLeod on 7 August 1876, Mata Hari was the eldest of four children. Brought up by an indulgent father, she would eventually choose to escape the 'stuffiness' of Dutch society and move to the city that she would one day call home: Paris. At her execution in France for alleged espionage activities for Germany during World War I, she refused to be blindfolded. Ahhh! Braveheart as well.
Most controversial: Madonna
Born Madonna Louise Ciccone, the award-winning, multi platinum-selling artiste might appear as a misfit on this list. 'Little Nonni' took on the mantle of mom, looking after her siblings after her mother passed away at the age of 30. From cheerleader to ballet dancer, and performer par excellence, Madonna captured the imagination of the music and fashion world for her raunchy lyrics, stage antics and style. Now, in her fourth decade in music, this mother-of-four continues to rock. 
Most huggable: Mata Amritanandamayi
Mata Amritanandamayi, known as the hugging saint, has made hugging people her life's mission. Born in a small village in Kerala, the Mother was the daughter of a low-caste fisherman and had to give up school to work full-time from the age of nine to support her family. Over the years, she realised that people were starved of affection and in a bid to comfort them, she started offering food and clothes, with a hug thrown in, irrespective of caste, creed or gender. Group hug, we say!
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