In honor of International Women's Day, we present a roster of ten inspirational women from across the globe who are making a significant impact every day. Their tireless work, whether advocating for universal access to education or championing equality, is reshaping our world and inspiring a new generation.
1. Alicia Garza
Alicia Garza, a queer American civil rights activist and writer, is renowned for co-founding the Black Lives Matter movement. Her social media post, "I continue to be surprised at how little black lives matter," served as the inspiration behind the now-iconic slogan after Patrisse Cullors shared it with the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter.
2. Laverne Cox
Laverne Cox, celebrated for her role as Sophia Burset in the Netflix series "Orange is the New Black," is an American actress and transgender advocate. She is considered a trailblazer in the LGBTQ+ community and has received numerous awards for her advocacy work. In 2014, she was named "Woman of the Year" by Glamour magazine and featured in Time Magazine's "100 Most Influential People List" in 2015.
3. Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai, born in Mingora, Pakistan, gained worldwide attention for her unwavering fight for girls' education rights. Despite being targeted by the Taliban, she recovered from a gunshot wound and established the Malala Fund, dedicated to empowering girls through education. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 and continues her crusade for education and gender equality.
4. Greta Thunberg
Greta Thunberg is a prominent climate youth activist who has mobilized millions worldwide to combat climate change. Her school strike for climate action catapulted her to global prominence. She has addressed the UN Climate Action Summit, met with world leaders, and was named Time's Person of the Year in 2019. Her steadfast dedication earned her a Nobel Peace Prize nomination.
5. Judith Heumann
Judith Heumann, an American disability rights activist, has dedicated her life to advocating for the rights of the disabled. She filed the groundbreaking "Heumann v. Board of Education of the City of New York" case, making her the first wheelchair user to teach in New York City. Heumann has played a pivotal role in the development of key disability rights legislation.
6. Janet Mock
Janet Mock, an American writer, television host, director, producer, and transgender rights activist, transitioned from her career as an editor for People Magazine to become a prominent advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. She joined the board of directors of the Arcus Foundation, focusing on LGBTQ+ rights, and has received numerous awards and honors.
7. Amanda Gorman
Amanda Gorman, an American poet and activist, uses her work to address issues of oppression, feminism, race, and marginalization. As the National Youth Poet Laureate in the United States, she recited her poem "The Hill We Climb" at the 2021 inauguration of U.S. President Joe Biden. Her eloquence led to two of her books becoming best-sellers, and she has been recognized by Time magazine and performed at the Super Bowl.
8. Hannah Cockroft OBE
Hannah Cockroft OBE, a British wheelchair racer, specializes in sprint distances in the T34 classification. Despite facing physical challenges, she has achieved world and Paralympic records. Cockroft has received awards, including an appointment as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to athletics.
9. Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton, an American singer, songwriter, actress, author, and humanitarian, is renowned for her country music. She is especially proud of her literacy program, where she provides free books to children from birth until they enter kindergarten. Parton also made significant contributions to funding the early stages of the Moderna vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic.
10. Amika George MBE
Amika George MBE, a British activist, campaigns against period poverty in the United Kingdom. Her initiative began with a petition, which garnered over 200,000 signatures, and led to the establishment of the #FreePeriods organization. She has been recognized on Time's "Most Influential Teens of 2018" and Teen Vogue's "21 under 21" lists, nominated by actress Emma Watson.
These remarkable women represent a diverse range of causes and issues, and their unwavering dedication is inspiring a generation and shaping a brighter future for all.