10 Inspring Modern Day Women to Celebrate International Women’s Day

Women should be celebrated each and every day; however, in honor of this years International Women’s Day, here is a list of the 10 modern day women who inspire me the most! 

1. Ellen DeGenerous: Besides being a talk show host, actress, comedian, writer and producer, Ellen is also an active philanthropist and humanitarian. Ellen has publicly supported and raised money for well over 50 well known charities, such as UNICEF, PETA, Children’s Health Fund, Feeding America and Red Cross, just to name a few. Ellen exemplifies what it means to be a strong, supportive, charitable, successful, independent and progressive woman, all while making us laugh! 

2. Michelle Obama: As the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama has accompplished many admirable and inspiring feats. Michelle works in supporting military families, helps working women balance their families and careers, encourages national service and fosters healthy eating and living for children and their families across the country. She has also taken a leading initiative in reversing the trend of childhood obesity and has started a movement called “Let’s Move.” 

3. Angelina Jolie: Academy Award winning actress Angelina Jolie is a active global humanitarian, activist and ambassador for countless causes. Angelina works closely with UNHCR, Doctors Without Borders, the Clinton Global Initiative and the Yele Haiti Foundation, just to name a few. Jolie and her husband, Brad Pitt, have donated millions of dollars to hunger casues, third world relief organizations and medical humanitarian organizations. Angelina is not only beautiful, but intelligent, driven, charitable and willing to go to all costs in order to make a positive impact. 

4. Lady Gaga: Two- time Grammy winner, song-writer, musician and fashionista, Lady Gaga goes above and beyond in working for causes she feels passionate about. Lady Gaga works with numerous foundations such as Red Cross, The National Alliance to End Homelessness, American Foundation for AIDS Research and Virgin Unite, just to name a few. Gaga also started her own foundation called Born This Way Foundation to help foster and support a more open minded, loving and supportive society for people of all gender orientations, sexual preferences and to support individuality for people of all races, genders, ages and nationalities. 

“We want women to feel strong and feel strong enough that they can remember to protect themselves. To have this lipstick as a reminder in your purse, that when your man is laying naked in bed, you go into the bathroom, you put your lipstick on, and you bring a condom out with you…There are no exceptions.” – Lady Gaga, VIVA Glam campaign against AIDS and HIV

5. Halle Berry: Halle is an American actress, film producer and former model who has broken boundaries for all women of color. Berry was the first and only woman of color to win an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Monster’s Ball.  

6. Ashley Graham: Ashley is a model and fashion designer who was the first ‘plus sized’ women to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated this past February. Ashley is working hard to make a difference in the fashion industry to be more accepting of plus sized women and promotes strong and positive body images for all young women across America. 

7. Missy Franklin: Four-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Missy Franklin, is a member of the United States Professional Swim Team and at just 20 years old, holds two world records. Missy is a strong and driven athlete and is definitely someone to watch at the 2016 Rio Olympics this summer.

8. Shonda Rhimes: Shonda Rhimes is an American producer, creator and writer. Shonda is the creator of popular shows such as ‘Scandal’, ‘How to Get Away With Murder’, and ‘Grey’s Anatomy.’ In 2007, Shonda was voted by Time Magazine to be in 100 People Who Help Shape the World. Shonda is a sharp and brilliant writer who has helped African American, strong women land leading roles in hit televison shows.

9. Hillary Clinton: Despite individual political views, women across America should be inspired by the career Hillary Clinton has created for herself. Clinton served as the 67th Secretary of State under the Obama administration, was a US Senator from New York, served as First Lady of the United States and is now a front runner for the 2016 Presidential race. 

10. Oprah: What’s an inspiring womens list without Oprah Winfrey??