Asha 

Michael C. Hayes made this vibrant illustration, “Asha,” sometime in the late 20th century using digital media. It suggests how far we have come from a society in which women were excluded from roles of adventure and command. Here we find a female warrior who evokes historical archetypes like Vikings or Celts. She stands confidently on a ship, sword at her side, with a determined gaze that speaks to a narrative of strength and independence. Hayes develops an alternative narrative, one where traditional gender roles are challenged. In this image, Hayes isn't just representing a character; he’s inviting us to imagine alternative histories and futures, ones where women navigate their destinies with the same agency as their male counterparts. "Asha" captures a yearning for a world where anyone can be the hero of their own story.