The Mohatta Palace next week will be abuzz with inspirational women from all walks of life as global beauty brand, Pond's will be hosting a banquet for '100 Miracle Women' chosen by 10 'Miracle Mentors'.

According to a press release, the event aims to honour and highlight the unsung heroes from all over the country that have not had much limelight from the media despite their contribution to Pakistani society; professional women, who juggle their careers and their families effortlessly.

The 10 'Miracle Mentors' are also a unique body of women who have excelled in their given fields. These women are: Samina Peerzada (Actress), Atiqa Odho (Actress/entrepreneur), Vaneeza Ahmed (Supermodel), Maheen Kardar Ali (Fashion designer), Dr. Tasneem Nakhoda (Dermatologist), Saeeda Mandviwalla (Owner of Toni&Guy in Karachi), Shamaeel Ansari (Fashion designer), Chef Shai (Chef/cooking show host/producer), and Rukaiya Adamjee (Owner of Rukaiya's Salon),

Journalist Imran Aslam and Faryal Gohar will be hosting the shindig and show choreography and direction will be done by Frieha Altaf.

Some of these Miracle Women include the following:

Meherbano Sethi (CEO of Luscious Cosmetics)

Meherbano Sethi - Publicity photo.

Meherbano’s success story is a pleasant surprise. “People said it wouldn’t work. But as they says it takes a certain kind of madness to become an entrepreneur because you put in your sweat, blood and tears and you don’t even know if it will work in the end. It’s so risky," she said.

But she pulled it off and today her success story is an inspiration to other budding entrepreneurs. Meherbano feels it’s because of her approach to make-up. “I’m my own target customer and that helps. I’m not a beautician so I want products, which I can apply without having the expert know how. At the end of the day make-up gives you confidence and that’s what it’s all about.”

About being a working mother, Meherbano feels that, “You have to be an expert at multi tasking. My mother was philanthropist and she taught me by example how to manage work and home. It’s about prioritising.”

Reem Wassey (Oped editor, Daily Times)

Reem Wassey - Publicity photo.

Reem Wassey has been part of the publishing industry for the past 12 years, writing on a variety of issues and currently works as the Op-ed Editor of a leading daily. “I’ve worked in a variety of capacities, from fashion to columns to analysing political issues; writing comes easily, naturally to me.”

The journey hasn’t been without its trials for as Reem says, “I’ve always challenged the mainstream. I’m a non-conformist and there are times when people tell me to be careful. Unfortunately ours is a society where women have to work extra hard, be more upwardly mobile, more verbal about how and where they want to be; and I’m the kind of person who does that loudly.”

Her miracle moment came recently when she was the first Muslim woman from the region to be invited to the Salzburg Trilogue in Austria.

“My views were picked up by the then Prime Minister of Austria, who invited me as a key note speaker in a closed discussion of 20 prominent people from the world of business, politics and arts about the problems effecting Europe. I feel very passionately about Muslim integration in European societies and reforming the message we went to send out to courtiers we are trying to assimilate in; 10 seconds after I spoke the hall erupted into applause. That was my miracle moment, when someone walked up to my mother who was standing outside the doors and said, ‘you must be so proud of your daughter today.”

Jeannette Faruque (Owner of Studio X)

Jeannette Faruque - Publicity photo.

Jeannette stumbled upon a love for fitness while living in the closed atmosphere of Peshawar. Originally from Columbia, she married a Pakistani while studying in the US and two years later moved to Pakistan. “Peshawar is a very conservative society and I couldn’t avail my career there. So I started taking fitness classes for ladies.”

What started as a hobby soon became a passion and today Jeannette owns Studio X, one of the most well known health centres in Karachi.

“My business started with three partners and we had specific roles but then one of my partners left for Dubai and the other for Greece. Suddenly I become sole proprietor. I was very scared and did not think I would be able to run it by myself, as I also teach. I felt as if right when we had the opportunity to expand, we shrunk. But now I look back and think it was the best thing that happened to me.”

“I have seen the change, the positive response and the progress. Fitness has changed here in Pakistan and that feels like an achievement to me, a miracle moment.”

Moneeza Inaam (Dawn News Journalist)

Moneeza Inaam - Publicity photo.

Growing up in the turbulent and oppressive regime of General Zia, made Moneeza reassess her priorities and change the direction of her life. A student of psychology, she developed an interest in human right issues and began to pursue a career in journalism and social activism.

“I was in university when I become interested in democracy issues. It was a very challenging time for Pakistan. Zia’s policies had created an atmosphere of intolerance. Before that our society was peaceful and this change really made me reflect on what was important to me. When the Hadood Ordinance was passed I knew I could no longer stay silent.”

Moneeza joined Dawn and also started working as an activist focusing on women’s rights.

Moneeza finds immense satisfaction in helping underprivileged women and works with war victims on an international level. She hopes that she can bring some light to their lives. Not only that, her views and her work to help empower women and give them a voice will motivate our younger generation to also challenge the norm and bring about a positive change.

Sherezad Rahimtoola (Jewelry Designer)

Sherezad Rahimtoola - Publicity photo.

Sherezad left a career in architecture when she could no longer resist the creative calling of an entrepreneurial life. “I started as an architect and ventured into jewellery design by chance. I used to operate from home but opened a showroom due to security concerns.”

On the trials and tribulations of being a female entrepreneur in Pakistan, she feels the law and order situation is more detrimental than any discrimination issues. “Security situation in Karachi is the biggest challenge,” she says. “The day Benazir died was the day I had to deliver to clients from abroad. There were tyres burning, fires, riots but I opened the store. I had to deliver.”

Sherezad is proud of the high standards of quality that are associated with her work and considers herself an achiever. Her miracle moment was when she was bestowed with a task that is considered the greatest honour by many.

“I was asked to design a gift on behalf of the donors for His Highness the Aga Khan. I made a very unique box of lapis lazuli and delivered it despite riots and curfews. I worked very hard, even through the nights, and was pleased with the result.”

Sanam Chaudhri (Fashion Designer)

Sanam Chaudhri - Publicity photo.

Sanam Chaudhri began her creative journey by designing kurtis for a bit of extra pocket money. Before she knew it the business grew and her designs advanced into pret wear. One thing led to another and she found herself being asked to stock at a major retailer. Today Sanam, is one of the big names of fashion. Her designs are much in demand but when it comes to exposure and expansion, Sanam unlike many of her contemporaries, is content to be low key.

Though she is all for competition and growth, Sanam feels that ambition need not be a defining factor for success.

“I want to keep my business small because that’s who I am. I don’t want the extra stress. I’m a mother, a wife, a daughter. I’m very ambitious but my ambition is different. I think I’m reserved and conservative by nature.”

Sanam’s soft persona, her quiet determination and strong will is witness to a progressive change that is a brew.

The 100 Miracle Women also include Ayesha Nasir (Journalist), Seema Jaffer (Director executive of Bond Advertising), Naushaba Brohi (Fashion designer), Rabia Hasan (Furniture designer), Amina Mujib Khan (Nutritionist), Sameer Raja (Founder/curator of Canvas Gallary) and Naila Naqvi (Owner of Pie in the Sky) among others.