
Ferdousi Priyabhashini (1948–2018) was the first person to publicly announce herself as Beerangona, breaking the silence. Her story is a powerful study in the complexity of survival in wartime and thereafter. Even though she was raped and tortured for 9 months, she had a 28-year period of silence, channelling her pain and personal struggle into sculpture instead. She was a renowned sculptor and artist. She symbolized the resilience and strength of the Beerangona and was honoured by later generations. In recognition of her outstanding contribution to the society, the Bangladesh Government awarded her the Independence Award in 2010.