International Women's Day celebrates the ­economic, political and social achievements of women, so what better way to mark its centenary today than with a list of 100 of the world's most inspirational women? We wanted to focus on role models from all over the world and from all walks of life. The women on this list have largely achieved astonishing feats in their own right, but most have also in some way, we hope, helped their fellow women. As Madeleine ­Albright once said: "There's a special place in hell for women who don't help other women." Our starting point was you. Readers ­provided more than 3,000 suggestions. Then a panel – ­including Sarah Brown, campaigner; Emma Freud and Brigid ­McConville of the White ­Ribbon ­Alliance; Liz ­Forgan, chair of the Arts Council; ­Channel 4 News reporter Samira Ahmed; and, from the Guardian, Madeleine Bunting, Afua Hirsch, Homa Khaleeli, Clare Margetson, Natalie ­Hanman, Emine Saner and Katharine Viner – whittled down the list. We have ordered the list by category rather than in a a numerical "power list", because it's impossible to rank women who put their lives at risk for a cause such as Malaya Joya with artists such as Lady Gaga. It's not a power or wealth list but instead it's about an inspirational group of women whose influence will last. Some of our choices will be controversial, some unknown, some ­obvious. But we hope they are all thought-provoking. Let us know what you think.