This International Women’s Day, I’d like to honor some unapologetically powerful women who have made their mark on so many lives. These 7 leading ladies are among so many who have blazed trails and shattered glass ceilings. Today – and every single day – we recognize the endless potential of young girls and women across the globe. We also recognize the many women whose achievements have gone unnoticed or overlooked on the basis of their gender, and for those whose accomplishments have been claimed by someone other than themselves. Here are 7 of the infinite number of women who have changed our world for the better…
Ruth Bader Ginsberg was the former associate justice of the Supreme Court, just the second female to hold the position. RBG was a pioneer for women’s rights and gender equality, dedicating her life to ending discrimination on the basis of sex. Over the course of her 30 year career in the Supreme Court, she made endless contributions in the realm of female empowerment. RBG remains one of the most extraordinary Justices to have ever served on the Supreme Court. Her legacy certainly lives on in the wake of her passing last September.
Shonda Rhimes is an award-winning television writer, producer, and creator, as well as an icon for gender equality. Rhimes has built an empire of beloved TV shows and series, including Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder, Bridgerton, Private Practice, and so many more. Rhimes co-created the Time’s Up movement in 2018, which aims to promote gender equity in the entertainment industry and supports victims of sexual and gender-based harassment.
18 year old Greta Thunberg is an environmental activist who uses her voice to challenge world leaders to take action against climate change. As a young, powerful woman, Greta Thunberg has sparked a global movement for environmental awareness. What began as a climate change essay competition has transformed into an international climate revolution, and has earned her global recognition. Some of her many incredible achievements include her famous UN “How Dare You” speech, initiating the largest climate strike in September of 2019, and TIME’s Person of the Year in 2019.
Stacey Abrams is a Georgia politician, voting rights activist, and bestselling author who has been a voice to those who remain unheard. Her dedication and unwavering commitment to protect our nation’s democracy at the polls has earned her recognition as one of the rising female voices in American democracy. Her efforts have resulted in a record number of Black women being elected into Congress, and has raised awareness to voter suppression in this country.
On January 20th, 2021, Kamala Harris was sworn in as the first female vice president of the United States. Vice President Harris formerly served as a U.S. senator for the state of California, as well as attorney general of California. She is the first Black and first South Asian woman to hold the position as vice president, and is the highest-ranking female official in this country’s government system. Vice President Kamala Harris is a powerful voice for female empowerment and social justice, and has opened up a world of possibility for young girls in this country.
Amanda Gorman is a poet and advocate for gender equality, social justice, and racial equality. This Harvard graduate is widely known for her recital of her poem “The Hill We Climb” at the 2021 Presidential Inauguration of President Biden, making her the youngest poet to do so. Much of her work is centered around issues including racial oppression, feminism, and social equality. Gorman was named National Youth Poet Laureate in 2017, and has since been a rising voice for social change.
Malala Yousafzai is a human rights activist and advocate for female education in Pakistan and around the globe. At just 15 years old, after speaking out publicly on behalf of girls’ right to education, Malala survived a gunshot by a member of the Taliban. She went on to share her incredible story, and studied at the University of Oxford. Malala remains the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, which she was awarded at the age of just 17 years old.