Wow women: The members of Young Bengal Brigade celebrated Women’s Day on March 8 with their teacher Ipsita Roy Chakraverti (third from left in the back row) at her south Calcutta residence. The women-only session, called Miss Betty’s, had the members sharing personal stories of trials and triumphs, and the role played by wicca in shaping their journeys. “Wicca has always been for the women, for women can not only strike but also bear. A woman must have her own identity, whether she is married or unmarried. There are still many battles to be fought,” said Ipsita, who introduced wicca in this part of the world in the early ’80s. After years of counselling and therapy, the wiccan high priestess formed The Wiccan Brigade — later renamed The Young Bengal Brigade — to teach the wiccan way of life. “I have seen a lot of change. Wicca is no longer a dirty word or something negative. Today we have people from all walks of life who clamour to join the Brigade,” she added.