Dawa Yangzum Sherpa

Wasfia followed decades later, hoping to bring awareness to the lack of women's rights in Bangladesh.

There are many Sherpa women who are rising up the ranks today in Nepal, Dawa Yangzum Sherpa and Lhakpa Sherpa, for example.

But what about the women who climbed mountains for centuries before a Western tradition of writing and documenting expeditions became popular? Who will find and tell their stories? I also want to make clear that this book and others like it are not being written to surmount the achievements of men, but rather to make sure that women are part of this history that they so deserve.

I invite everyone in this room to become allies and help uplift the voices of your mothers, friends, sisters, and daughters.