Tomorrow marks International Women’s Day, and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate all the incredible achievements of every woman past and present. From our mothers, grandmothers, aunts and sisters, to the teachers, health practitioners, lawyers and so many more intelligent and brave women, these are the people who have come to shape not just our individual lives, but the world as well.
To help you get in the spirit of this empowering day, we’ve decided to take a look at just a handful of the influential women who have helped make this world a better place.
So get scrolling, and get ready to feel a massive surge of pride.
Amal Clooney
Amal Clooney became a common name in every household when she wed renowned bachelor, George Clooney, but that’s such a minor, if not insignificant part of what makes her so amazing. The human rights lawyer has worked on a number of humanitarian causes, was selected for a three-person UN commission investigating rules of war violations in the Gaza Strip, and has been a loud advocate for women’s rights.
Jacinda Ardern
Jacinda Arden is the youngest female leader in the world, already entering her as an impressive individual. After giving birth in 2018, she challenged governmental norms by taking six weeks of maternity leave and announcing that her husband would be a stay-at-home dad. Jacinda has been an absolute inspiration and is using her platform to “create a path for other women”.
Turia Pitt
Turia Pitt made headlines seven years ago when she got caught in a fire during a marathon event and suffered burns to 65% of her body. Undergoing over 200 operations and spending two years in recovery, Turia defied the odds and completely rebuilt her life. Now a mother to a beautiful little boy, Turia has worked tirelessly as a humanitarian and Interplast ambassador and has been an inspiration to people all over the world.
Halima Aden
Halima Aden made a name for herself when she became the first woman to wear the headscarf on an international high-fashion catwalk. The model, who was born in a Kenyan refugee camp, has since made a number of runway and magazine appearances, has emerged as an advocate for refugee rights, and has been named a UNICEF Ambassador.
Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie has been long known for all of her incredible humanitarian work that has inspired us all. The actress/filmmaker has met with refugees and internally displaced people in over 20 countries, has supported a number of charities, including Doctors Without Borders, has been named a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador and has spoken about serious issues at a political level.
Queen Rania
Queen Rania first became queen at just 28 years of age and has since been an icon of female empowerment. She’s been a strong advocate of women’s rights, education, youth empowerment, and has worked tirelessly to encourage peace and change Western perceptions of the Arab world.
Meghan Markle
Meghan Markle shook the world when she joined the Royal Family and shattered so many of its out-dated rules. Even from a young age, she’s been a champion for women’s rights. At the age of just 11, she successfully stood up to a sexist television advertisement and hasn’t looked back since.
Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai is the youngest Nobel Prize laureate, thanks to her inspiring activism to encourage and support education for all girls. In 2013, she, along with her father, founded the Malala Fund, which works to ensure every girl can go to school.
Serena Williams
Serena Williams is a renowned, 23-time Grand Slam winning tennis player who has made waves across the sporting world for her incredible talent. She has spoken up against the double standards in tennis that women are faced with, and since becoming a mother, has become a loud advocate for working mums.
Cover photo by: @kensingtonroyal
