International Women’s Day: Female activists that have made an impact around the world
International Women’s Day is a holiday to acknowledge the progress made by women around the world towards equality and freedom, as well as to advocate for greater progress and equality.
For centuries, women in various regions of the world have struggled to achieve financial and political independence in many patriarchal societies. When the holiday was established some 110 years ago, women were discouraged from working outside the home as well as from pursesYouPursue a career in the arts, education, science or media.
March 8 is a day to reflect on the progress made by women and gender activists, while also honoring women who stand as a beacon of hope for millions of young women in contemporary society. The theme for 2023 International Women’s Day is #EmbraceEquity, which calls for equal opportunities for women and an end to gender bias.
The five women below are modern women in media, politics, and academia who have inspired other women on earth for decades.
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- Oprah Winfrey
- Angelina Jolie
- Emma Watson
- Malala Yousafzai
- beyonce
1. Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is an award-winning talk show host best known for her show “The Oprah Winfrey Show”, which aired from 1986 to 2011. She is considered a female and African American pioneer in the television industry, having interviewed various high-profile religious, political and cultural influencers including former President Obama and Prince Harry.
In addition, according to Forbes, Winfrey was the only black billionaire during the 20th century and the century’s richest African American, with an estimated net worth of over $2.5 billion.
Throughout the decades, Winfrey devoted her life to philanthropic activities through organizations such as the “Oprah Angel Network”, which raised funds to rebuild Oprah’s Angel Network. Homes of those affected by Hurricane Katrina. He has given millions of dollars to various non-profit organizations and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States.
2. Angelina Jolie
Beyond the big screen and red carpet, Angelina Jolie has spent years advocating for women’s rights and environmental protection, as well as working with nonprofits to help end human trafficking. She became the UNHCR’s Goodwill Ambassador at its headquarters in Geneva in August 2001 and has spent millions to help the organization resettle Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
She is also a human rights lawyer who founded the Jolie Legal Fellowship, which provides funding to lawyers and attorneys to defend human rights in developing countries around the world. Additionally, Jolie has raised money for organizations advocating against sexual assault in the military and for civilians in war-torn countries such as Yemen and Ukraine.
“Maleficent” star Angelina Jolie is a proud parent to daughter Zahara Jolie-Pitt. (Getty Images)
3. Emma Watson
Another Hollywood icon and female role model over the years has been Emma Watson, who initially rose to fame playing Hermione Granger for the “Harry Potter” film franchise. Likewise, she has gained an international presence on the world stage over the years as a leading advocate for equality of gender, sexual orientation, class and race.
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Notably, she gave a speech in September 2014 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City for the launch of the HeForShe campaign, where she called for gender equality and advocated against the demonstrations by feminist groups. The speech brought Watson worldwide attention in the press and recognition from fellow feminist advocates.
4. Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai is an international icon for women’s education and women’s rights and is also the youngest Nobel laureate and second Pakistani to receive the award. For years, she has advocated for the rights of women to receive formal education in Pakistan, despite facing resistance from elements of the Taliban through intimidation and assassination attempts.
Malala Yousafzai nearly lost her life in 2012 after a failed assassination attempt by the Taliban in Pakistan for advocating for women’s education. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File)
In October 2012, Yousafzai was shot in the head by a gunman working for the Pakistani Taliban while boarding a bus. He was left in critical condition but eventually recovered from his wounds. The incident prompted international condemnation as well as a fatwa ordered against her life by religious fundamentalists in the region. Death threats and physical violence did not deter Yousafzai from her mission to advocate for the educational rights of women in the Middle East.
5. Beyoncé
Beyoncé is one of the best-selling and top-performing female artists of her generation, having accumulated a sizable fortune and cultural influence over the years.
The superstar is also a self-described feminist and women’s rights advocate who has used her fame and fortune to promote social justice, such as her Chime for Change organization that calls for gender equality across national borders.
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