Author and social campaigner Zerbanoo Gifford has completed an epic challenge of meeting and documenting the lives and careers of over two hundred inspirational women, from every part of the world and every field of endeavour. Women at the top of their fields within the broad categories of academia, the arts, champions of indigenous people, industry and business, media, politics, the voluntary sector, science and spirituality are profiled in the book. Confessions to a Serial Womaniser: Secrets of the World's Inspirational Women addresses the major themes of our time by sharing the women’s successful strategies for individual and community empowerment.

In the past three years, Zerbanoo has encountered a hugging saint, a ground-breaking scientist who took on the multinationals, a French Resistance heroine who took on the Gestapo, a judge who took on Saddam Hussein, a high flier who was educated by an elephant, a spiritual giantess who danced with Fred Astaire, the original Cosmopolitan Girl, a politician who lives with two Oscars, a Bollywood actress worshipped by billions, a Chinese entrepreneur immortalized on a postage stamp, and a princess who is able to touch her nose with her toes! The women Zerbanoo encountered were intelligent, idealistic and independent. They have a magical presence.

Confessions to a Serial Womaniser reveals for the first time the secrets of over two hundred extraordinary women who have taken on the world and made things happen. It is the first venture of its kind, global in reach and creative in structure. This unique book contains the wisdom of some of the world's most dynamic women, who speak frankly about everything: their mothers, families, education, men, gurus, love, feminism, fairy stories, failures and successes. The book will provoke debate and inspire action. It unmasks strategies for tackling life’s obstacles, and how to advance in the workplace whilst staying balanced. By daring to transform the world through their courage, compassion and commitment, these modern heroines have created a magnificent legacy for generations to come.

Some of the women featured in the book:

Teresa Hale (Pioneer in Integrated Medicine and founder of Hale Clinic);Judge Zakia Hakki (First woman Judge in the Middle East, member of the Iraqi Parliament, founder of the Women’s Kurdish Movement); Glenda Jackson MP; Yue-Sai Kan (Founder of a cosmetic empire, broadcaster, immortalised on Chinese stamps); Helen Gurley Brown (Founder and president, Cosmopolitan International); Nafis Sadik (UN Under Secretary General); Lucie Aubrac (French Resistance heroine); Kirsten Rausing, (Director Tetrapak and horse breeder); Barbara Stocking (Chief Executive Oxfam); Mae-Wan Ho (Director, Institute of Science in Society); Dawn Airey (former Managing Director BSkyB TV); Baroness Helena Kennedy (Former head of the British Council and author, Queen’s Counsel); Judge Leila Seth (first female Chief Justice in India); Eve Ensler (author of The Vagina Monologues); Bronwen Astor (psychotherapist); Her Excellency Maleeha Lodhi (Pakistani Ambassador); Christina Lamb (award-winning war correspondent); Gwyneth Lewis (poet laureate of Wales); Maharani of Tripura (politician); Frances Cairncross (Rector of Exeter College Oxford); Sheila Dikshit (Chief Minister of Delhi); Wendy Somes (prima ballerina); Rt Hon. Clare Short MP; Sarah Miles (actress and author); Indu Jain (CEO Times of India); Esther Rantzen (broadcaster, founder of Childline); Simone Tata (director Tata Industries); Zandra Rhodes (designer and founder of the Fashion and Textile Museum, London); Lindiwe Mabuza (Her Excellency High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa in the United Kingdom); Baroness Rennie Fritchie (former Commissioner for Public Appointments); Kiran Bedi (UN Civilian Police Advisor and prison governor); Claire Bertschinger (Red Cross Nurse, inspiration for Live Aid); Madhuri Dixit (Bollywood icon); Naina Lal Kidwai (CEO HSBC, India); Marjorie Scardino (CEO Pearson Group)

ASHA CENTRE

The proceeds from the sale of this book will go to the ASHA Centre, a charity fostering greater peace and understanding amongst diverse communities. Located in the beautiful surroundings of the Forest of Dean, England, the ASHA Centre is an international retreat that encourages community participation through a holistic programme of performing and visual arts, conservation projects and personal transformation.

NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY

Over two hundred and eight individual portraitures of the women have been specially commissioned and painted by the artist Jeroo Roy to be exhibited in galleries around the world. The exhibition is currently at the South Bank Centre before embarking on a national and international tour.