Friends of Europe said the idea was to present "real people and true stories that highlight the extraordinary achievement that European women - citizens - have contributed in many different spheres" and to make an "emotional connection" with people. Inspired by the Women's City project by writer Rebecca Solnit and geographer Joshua Jelly-Shapiro, the European think tank Friends of Europe redesigned the map in Brussels to mark Europe Day.
"The map is a celebration of a new kind of inclusive leadership and a means of strengthening democracy and a challenge to inequality of opportunity: if you see it, you can be," said Friends of Europe.
The idea for "Capital of Europe, Women of Europe" came from a friend of Europe's creditor and Irish journalist Mary Fitzgerald, who said she wanted to tell a new story about Europe that transcends language and nationality.
Also mentioned are European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, International Monetary Fund chief (and former commissioner) Kristalina Georgieva and outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Near it, one of the main metro stations is named after the queen of Roma music Esma Redzepova as the only representative from Macedonia. Croatian writer Ivana Brlic Mazuranic also got a metro station from the Balkan women.
