This week, in honor of International Women's Day and the upcoming holiday of Purim, we will learn the stories of three women:

Vashti, who encountered drunken debauchery, sexism, and injustice and responded with clarity and conviction. When King Achashverosh demanded that she dance naked in front of his friends, she sent back a one-word answer: no. That response resulted in her death and did not change the status quo in the least. Today, she is just a blip in the megillah.

Zeresh, who encountered racism, egotistical mania, and dreams of domination. She did nothing. Goes along to get along. Her response resulted in her disappearance and maybe even made the situation worse. She features more prominently in the megillah, but we hiss when we hear her name.

And then there was Esther. Her response was nuanced. Her agency limited, but effective. In the end, she saved the day, saved her life, and saved the Jewish world.

What do these women’s stories have to teach us about facing today’s challenges?