In one of the most exciting moments of TEDWomen 2013, Ingoma Nshya — the first female drumming troupe in Rwanda — took the stage to show off their percussion chops. “It’s been forbidden for many centuries for women to drum, to even touch the drums,” said group founder Odile Gakire “Kiki” Katese. “We broke the taboo with the genocide … Drumming came easily because women were rebuilding the country.” Photo: Marla Aufmuth
TEDWomen 2013 brought so many moments of delight. In session 1, Jessica Matthews showed us how a jumprope could generate electricity. In session 2, Rupal Patel revealed an incredible system to give an authentic voice to those who are unable to speak. And in session 3, Esta Soler explained how the Polaroid camera was an incredible weapon in fighting domestic violence. Throughout it all, the TEDWomen audience provided hearty claps and whoops of approval, as they took in the slate of incredible talks.
Here, a look at TEDWomen in photos. Read lots more coverage of the event »
Diana Nyad — who swam 110 miles from Cuba to Florida at age 64 — got a standing ovation from the crowd after an incredibly moving talk. Her message: “If you believe in perseverance as a great human quality, you find your way.” Photo: Marla Aufmuth
Comedian Maysoon Zayid showed the TEDWomen audience that it’s okay to laugh at tough stuff. “I’ve got 99 problems, and [cerebral] palsy is just one,” she says. Photo: Marla Aufmuth
During the breaks of TEDWomen, attendees gathered in the hall for snacks … and Google Glass demonstrations. Photo: Marla Aufmuth
In the 1960s, computer programmer Dame Stephanie Shirley noticed that she got a lot more freelance work when she went by the name “Steve.” So this trailblazer started a software company for women. “We did start letting in the men, as long as they were good enough,” she says with a wink. Photo: Marla Aufmuth
TEDWomen 2013 took place in the SFJAZZ Center, the first venue in San Francisco built for jazz. Photo: Marla Aufmuth
Dava Newman has created a slim-fitting compression space suit, called BioFit, to let astronauts move around better in space. Bonus: It could be used here on Earth to help kids with cerebral palsy gain mobility. The suit is shown here on a model. Photo: Marla Aufmuth
Poet Azure Antoinette closed TEDWomen 2013 with the poem “Inner Voice.” Photo: Marla Aufmuth
The night before TEDWomen, the Paley Center hosted a party where seven classic TEDWomen speakers shared what’s happened since their talk. Here, speaker Angela Patton — who held a father-daughter dance in prison — hugs her dad, while host Pat Mitchell smiles at right. Photo: Marla Aufmuth
TED Fellow Bora Yoon opened TEDWomen 2013 with an ethereal performance that made use of a cellphone, her voice and a gramophone horn. Photo: Marla Aufmuth