Celebrating Today's Kartini: These Are Some Inspiring Indonesian Women
Every year on 21 April, Kartini Day is commemorated. This occasion serves as a reminder of the spirit and story of Raden Ajeng Kartini in her struggle for gender equality and women’s emancipation, particularly in opening access to education for women in Indonesia.
Of course, the spirit of Kartini must continue to be carried forward. In the present day, her values and fighting spirit can be seen in the contributions of Indonesian women across various fields, from diplomacy and education to entrepreneurship and the environment. They emerge as inspirational figures who bring real change to society.
Here are five modern Kartinis whose contributions deserve attention:
- Retno Marsudi
Retno Marsudi made history as Indonesia’s first female Foreign Minister. She is a graduate in International Relations from Universitas Gadjah Mada and pursued further studies in the Netherlands.
Her diplomatic career is notably long, starting from various overseas assignments until she was entrusted to lead the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under President Joko Widodo’s administration. In her role, Retno is known for actively promoting peace diplomacy, advocating for the protection of Indonesian citizens abroad, and consistently raising issues of gender equality and women’s roles in various global forums.
- Najelaa Shihab
Najelaa Shihab is the figure behind the establishment of Sekolah Cikal, an educational institution renowned for its competency- and character-based learning approach.
As an education practitioner, Najelaa actively pushes for the transformation of Indonesia’s education system to make it more relevant to contemporary needs. She is also involved in various educational movements that emphasise the importance of teacher quality and student-centred learning methods.
- Ni Luh Djelantik
Ni Luh Djelantik is known as an Indonesian shoe designer who has successfully brought her work to international markets. The brand she has built not only prioritises product quality but also upholds local values and empowers artisans.
Beyond the creative industry, Ni Luh is vocal in voicing various social issues. She often uses her platform to express criticism and aspirations, showing that women also have an important role in public spaces and social discourse.
- Butet Manurung
Butet Manurung is a pioneer in alternative education for indigenous communities in Indonesia. Through a contextual education approach, she provides learning access to communities that have long been difficult to reach by the formal education system.
Her dedication has been recognised internationally, including being selected as the Barbie Role Model 2022, representing Indonesia. Butet becomes a symbol that education can come in various forms, adapted to community needs.
- Yasmin Mulyana
Not all inspirational figures come from the big stage. Some grow from consistent small steps that bring impact, even if not yet widely known.
One of them is Yasmin Mulyana. She is the Chair of the Lohjinawi Foundation in Surabaya, a foundation that has now expanded to various regions, establishing thousands of waste banks while promoting community-based waste management.
Through her foundation, Yasmin has successfully helped reduce waste by up to 20 tonnes every month through collaborations with various partners, one of which is Unilever Indonesia. This initiative not only impacts the environment but also opens opportunities for community empowerment through education and community-based waste management.
- Fransiska Gabriella
From the younger generation, there is Fransiska Gabriella who chose an unconventional path. She decided to leave her job to focus on building a human rights education community for vulnerable groups.
The community she founded in 2025 targets women, children, and people with disabilities who have had minimal access to education. Her steps show that young people can also take real roles in social issues with broad impact.
- Zentri Hartanti
Another no less inspirational name is Zentri Hartanti, a teacher who dedicates herself to remote areas and received an award at the Kartini Awards 2025.
Through her dedication in education, she strives to change the mindset of the younger generation to be more daring in dreaming and independent. Her story illustrates how women can be drivers of change from the education sector.
The figures above prove that the spirit of Raden Ajeng Kartini continues to live and is with us to this day. In their respective ways and fields, they show that women are capable of taking strategic roles, driving change, and providing real impact for society.