From Hyderabad, to the folds of Greek mythology, and clubbed alongside the likes of Lauren Bush, Charlotte Church, Alicia Keys and Chelsea Clinton. Sania Mirza has been elevated to a place among the top 25 global figures named by JWT — the largest advertising agency in the US and the fourth largest in the world.These top women are described as ‘Atalantas’ who according to the Greeks, break with convention and refuse to settle down till she finished her education and saw the world. And when she finally did marry, it was on her own terms. In an email communique to The Indian Express, JWT director of trendspotting Ann Mack, informed: “Today’s strong-willed single twenty-somethings are the contemporary Atalanta. Sania is the only woman born in India to make the list.”Sania is one of the seven sportswomen on the list. It also includes four golfers, apart from the Williams siblings. The list is dominated by artists, actresses and entrepreneurs.“Other women of Indian descent, like sitar player Anoushka Shankar, the daughter of Ravi Shankar, as well as the British-based perfomer MIA (actual name is Maya Arulpragasam), of Sri Lankan origin, have also been named on the list.” Ann informed.How was the shortlisting done? “Our goal was to compile a well-rounded list of the global personalities who best represent the Atalanta.“Because the trend of the Atalanta is marked more by a state of mind than by visual cues, we found it challenging to identify them at first. JWT’s trendspotting team compiled the list after diligent research and extensive discussion (and debate).”With “no award or prize associated to those listed,” as Ann explains, JWT expects those named to make an impact on the world in the coming years. “Essentially, these women embody who the modern day Atalanta is — a bolder, braver woman who asserts her sense of style and power more aggressively than those of earlier generations”.
