‘Love will always have the last word’ – Dr. Ruth Pfau, Founder-Member MALC. Putting these words into action, Dr. Ruth Pfau, a true symbol of resilience and selflessness, dedicated her life to eradicating Leprosy through the National Leprosy Control Program, setting up clinics across the country for the care and treatment of those afflicted. Her tireless efforts, from her arrival in Pakistan in 1960, earned her the title of Pakistan’s Mother Teresa – today, MALC has over 157 Leprosy Control Centres and over 800 staff members treating thousands of patients. Dr. Ruth Pfau kept the candle of hope aflame for decades with the utmost dedication and care for those in need – her efforts helped Pakistan control Leprosy in 1996, and be on the way to becoming Leprosy-free. Amongst many accolades for her untiring service in humanitarian work, she was awarded The Order of the Cross (Federal Republic of Germany), Sitara-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Honorary Advisor on Leprosy to the Ministry of Health, Government of Pakistan, Hilal-e-Imtiaz, The Commanders Cross of the Order of Merit with Star, Hilal-e-Pakistan, Damien-Dutton Award, Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Services, The Jinnah Award, Nishan-e-Quaid-e-Azam, the German Staufer Medal, amongst others.

Celebrating Pakistan’s 75th Independence Day, FWBL pays tribute to iconic women whose legacies are strongly interwoven in the fabric of the nation’s heritage. Their remarkable achievements, in their own unique way, contribute to who we are as a nation today.