Guru Nanak Sahib Ji was the first to raise an effective voice against the deplorable condition of women in Indian society. He uplifted the status of women to equal the level of men, if not higher. Guru Nanak Dev Ji's philosophy stated that women have the right to education, full hereditary rights, praying in congregation, and are capable of achieving salvation. He goes further to convey his message in Asa di Vaar of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji:

From woman, man is born; within woman, man is conceived; to woman he is engaged and married.
Woman becomes his friend; through woman, the future generations come.
When his woman dies, he seeks another woman; to woman he is bound.
So why call her bad? From her, kings are born.
From woman, woman is born; without woman, there would be no one at all.
O Nanak, only the True Lord is without a woman. (SGGS 473).

Throughout Sikh history there have been many women who have stood out in front as role models for future generations. They were elevated to a new status they previously did not have, and they proved that they were worthy and truly equal to men.

There have been hundreds of thousands of selfless servants who have served the Khalsa Panth. Many served in the Guru's Langar, amongst whom one is Mata Khivi Ji. The wife of the second Guru, Guru Angad Dev Ji, she took responsibility of preparing and serving langar for visiting Sikhs. Her service was so astounding in keeping this tradition going, she is specifically given honor in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji for her service:

Balwand says that Khivi, the Guru's wife, is a noble woman, who gives soothing, leafy shade to all.
She distributes the bounty of the Guru's Langar; the kheer - the rice pudding and ghee, is like sweet ambrosia.
The faces of the Guru's Sikhs are radiant and bright; the self-willed manmukhs are pale, like straw.
The Master gave His approval, when Angad exerted Himself heroically.
Such is the Husband of mother Khivi; He sustains the world. (SGGS 967).

If Mata Khivi Ji was an accomplished woman, then her daughter was nothing short of that. Bibi Amro Ji is given the honor of having done selfless service and singing Gurbani and for reciting Naam. Baba Amar Das Ji was her husband's uncle. One day while she was working and singing shabads Baba Amar Das Ji heard her sing words that brought peace to his mind. He requested to know whose baani this was and Bibi Amro Ji told him that it is her father, Guru Angad Dev Ji's baani. Thus, Baba Amar Das Ji went to Khadur Sahib to meet the SatGuru, became a devoted Sikh and later successor to Gurudom.

Bibi Bhani Ji is another inspirational lady in Sikh history. She was fortunate to have been the daughter of Guru Amar Das Ji. She was further blessed with becoming the wife of Guru Ram Das Ji and mother of Guru Arjan Dev Ji. Despite being the Guru's daughter, Bibi Bhani Ji showed humility and tirelesly and sefless committed herself to the voluntary service in the construction of Baoli Sahib, at Goindval Sahib.

Even after marriage, being the wife of the Guru Bibi Bhani Ji continued to perform selfless service alongside Guru Ji and the Sikhs. Bibi Bhani Ji showed in her actions that way to Waheguru is through innocent love, which she expressed through her dedication to the Guru's path and selflessly serving the Sikhs and the Guru.

Mata Gujri Ji, the mother of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, spent 26-27 years with her husband Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji in Bakala, where he spent much of his time in deep meditation and preparation for what would come to pass in the future. When the time came for Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji to give the ultimate sacrifice at Delhi for the sake of religious freedom, Mata Gujri Ji did not hold him back. She was full of courage and accepted the task of raising her young son Gobind Rai Ji, and full responsibility of managing affairs at Chakk Nanaki.

Later, Mata Gujri Ji became the major inspiration for her younger grandsons, Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and Baba Fateh Singh Ji. They had been separated from the rest of the family and were captured and held at Sirhand Fort in the Thanda Burj (cold tower). Everyday the grandsons would be taken to court, and daily Mata Gujri Ji would speak to them to remain steadfast in their faith and not accept conversion to Islam. Mata Gujri Ji herself never gave up singing shabads. Her upbringing of her grandsons made them so strong, Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and Baba Fateh Singh Ji accepted martyrdom; thus the Khalsa Panth is proud to have these role models who attained martyrdom at their young tender age.

In 1699, on the day of Vaisakhi, Mata Sahib Kaur Ji became the spiritual mother of Khalsa. Guru Gobind Singh Ji asked for volunteers, at the large gathering at Sri Anandpur Sahib, who could sacrifice their lives for their faith. Guru ji tested their Sikhs. One by one, five men stood up to sacrifice themselves for their Guru. When Guru Gobind Singh Ji prepared the holy nectar Mata Sahib Kaur Ji added sugar wafers to it so that the Khalsa would not only have warrior characteristics but also mercy like a saintly person.

Perhaps the bravest woman of all was Mata Bhag Kaur Ji, known for being a valiant warrior. She served in the Khalsa army at a time when the Forty Sikhs led by Mahan Singh Brar had written a letter to Guru Gobind Singh Ji declaring that they were not his Sikhs anymore nor was he their Guru. Mata Bhag Kaur Ji persuaded the deserters to return and fight the battle with Guru Gobind Singh Ji against the Mughals at the battle of Muktsar. At the end of the battle, Mahan Singh Brar apologized to Guru Gobind Singh Ji for having deserted him earlier. Guru Gobind Singh Ji blessed the Forty Sikhs now known as Forty Liberated Ones. Mata Bhag Kaur Ji fought in many other battles as well, symbolizing that women are fully capable of serving in the army as soldiers.

These are just a few of the Sikh women who have had an impact on Sikhism, but there are countless others. Women have been the backbone of Khalsa panth from the very beginning. Sikh women have always proven capable of being inspirational role models to Sikh society and especially to today's younger generation.