BBC: Fraser-Pryce among 100 inspiring and influential women in the world

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser – Pryce has been listed among the British Broadcasting Commission’s (BBC) 100 inspiring and influential women from around the world for 2019.

TOPSHOT – Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce celebrates after winning the Women’s 100m final at the 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on September 29, 2019. (Photo by Jewel SAMAD / AFP) (Photo credit should read JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

The list includes climate change activist Greta Thunberg, trans-woman Nisha Ayub who was put into a male prison aged 21, a handful of athletes, and other women who are driving change on behalf of women everywhere.

The BBC noted that after storming to victory in 10.71 seconds at the women’s 100m final in Doha in September, Fraser-Pryce now boasts more 100m world championship titles than Usain Bolt.

“It makes the Jamaican track and field sprinter the oldest woman to ever win an Olympic or world 100m title – and the first mum to do so since 1995,” said the BBC.

The media house quoted Fraser-Pryce as saying: “Finding balance is never easy but we as women get to decide. I never limit myself as to what is possible as long as my body will cooperate. It’s important for the future of athletics that women continue to challenge themselves. I am excited to see just how far I can go, even at this stage of my career.”

The BBC said its 100 Women team drew up a shortlist based on names gathered by them and suggested by its network of World Service languages teams.

“We were looking for candidates who had made the headlines or influenced important stories over the past 12 months, as well as those who have inspiring stories to tell, achieved something significant or influenced their societies in ways that wouldn’t necessarily make the news.

“The pool of names was then assessed against this year’s theme – the Female Future – and measured for regional representation and due impartiality, before the final 100 were chosen,” said the BBC.