LIFE

Today is International Women's Day! To kick off the celebration, we've compiled a list of 10 inspiring women who deserve to be on everyone's radar and honored for their meaningful work. From initiating environmental change to spreading period inequality awareness, these leading ladies radiate nothing but rockstar energy. 

Greta Thunberg

@gretathunberg

This Swedish environmental advocate has been changing the world by putting her all into spreading awareness about climate change. She's spearheaded the school climate strike movement called Fridays for Future, addressed the UN Climate Change Conference and has now even written her very own book. There's truly nothing Greta can't do! 

Malala Yousafzai 

@malala

Malala speaks publicly on behalf of girls' right to learn. In 2012, she was shot by a Taliban gunman in retaliation for her education activism. After months of recovery, she decided to continue her fight for every girl to go to school, and she started the Malala Fund. Malala received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 and became the youngest-ever Nobel laureate. 

Nadya Okamoto

@nadyaokamoto

From her work to destigmatize periods to her clearly bubbly personality, Nadya = a total queen. Nadya is a co-founder of August, an ethical and environmentally-friendly period product brand, the author of "Period Power," the founder of the period movement and the host of the Tigress Podcast. The real question is: What *doesn't* she do? 

Nadia Murad 

@nadia_murad

Nadia Murad, a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and UNODC Goodwill Ambassador, is an Iraqi human rights activist and advocate for gender equality and survivors of sexual violence. She wrote about her own experience as a prisoner of ISIS in Iraq in her book entitled "The Last Girl." Nadia embodies hope, bravery and strength.

Xiye Bastida 

@xiyebeara

Xiye is a leading voice for indigenous and immigrant visibility in climate activism. Xiye is one of the major organizers of Fridays for Future NYC. She's also the co-founder of Re-Earth Initiative—an international youth-led organization that highlights the intersectionality of the climate crisis.

Jane Goodall 

@janegoodallinst

Jane Goodall is a true trailblazer for women in science. She's considered an expert on chimpanzees since she spent years studying them up close. Jane has worked tirelessly on conservation and animal welfare issues, and in 2002, she was named a UN Messenger of Peace. As someone who dove deep into the field of science in the '60s, she defied stereotypes and rewrote the narrative for women.  

Amanda Gorman 

@amandascgorman

You may recognize Amanda Gorman...and that's because she was the poet (the youngest in history, might we add) at President Joe Biden's inaugural address.  She was the first person to be named National Youth Poet Laureate. Amanda's poems focus on spreading awareness about oppression, sexism and racism. There's no doubt that she's changing the world, one poem at a time! 

Soma Sara 

@somasara

Soma Sara, a multi-award-winning activist, author, speaker and CEO of Everyone's Invited, is creating meaningful change by spreading rape awareness. She created a place for survivors to share their stories. 

Rachel Cargle

@rachel.cargle

We could all learn a thing or two from Rachel, an inspiring activist and the founder of The Loveland Foundation. Through her foundation, she raised over $250,000 which was distributed to over 300 Black women and girls for access to private therapy sessions. Her foundation continues to expand and empower the Black community. 

Ava DuVernay 

@ava

Ava, an award-winning filmmaker, made history as the first African American woman to win Best Director at the Sundance Film Festival, be nominated for a Best Director Golden Globe, direct a film nominated for a Best Picture Oscar and direct a film with a budget over $100 million.

How are you celebrating International Women's Day?

Top image: @gretathunberg
Slider image: @xiyebeara

by Eva Mandelbaum | 3/8/2024