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International Women's Day : 8 Trailblazing Women & their Powerful Words on Women Empowerment

By: GWL Team | Wednesday, 8 March 2023

Women have been trailblazers, pioneers, and heroes in every field imaginable. They have defied odds, broken barriers, and left their mark on the world in fields ranging from politics to science to sports to activism. These remarkable women have demonstrated that anything is possible, and their accomplishments continue to inspire us today.

On the occasion of International Women’s Day we honor some of the most inspiring women of today. If you're looking for a role model in politics, business, science,social activism or literature, this list is sure to have someone who inspires you. In light of this, let's honour these trailblazing women and hear what they have to say about women empowerment.

Kamala Harris (Politics)

“What I want young women and girls to know is: You are powerful and your voice matters,” says Kamala Harris. “You’re going to walk into many rooms in your life and career where you may be the only one who looks like you or who has had the experiences you’ve had. But you remember that when you are in those rooms, you are not alone. We are all in that room with you applauding you on. Cheering your voice. And just so proud of you. So you use that voice and be strong.”- Kamala Harris

In 2021, Kamala Harris became the first woman, first Black person, and first South Asian American to serve as Vice President of the United States. Throughout her career, she has been a champion for justice and equality, and her election heralds a new era of political possibility for women and people of colour.

Mary Barra (Business)

“The biggest message I have for young women is, don’t start cutting off branches of your career tree unnecessarily early. Sometimes women say, I know I want to have a family or play in the local symphony, and they start pulling themselves out of their career path. You don't have to take yourself out of the running before you even start.” – Mary Barra

Mary Barra is the first woman to lead a major global automaker as CEO of General Motors. GM has become a leader in electric and autonomous vehicles under her leadership, and she has been recognised for her commitment to workplace sustainability and diversity.

Katie Bouman (STEM)

"Diversity in STEM fields is not just a social issue, it's a scientific issue. If we're all approaching problems in the same way, we're not going to come up with unique or innovative solutions." – Katie Bouman

Katie Bouman is a computer scientist who helped capture the first image of a black hole. Her work on the algorithm that enabled the image was revolutionary, and she has become a role model for women in STEM fields.

Simone Biles (Sports)

"It's inspiring to young athletes that there are more records that can still be broken."-Simone Biles

Simone Biles is an Olympic gymnast with the most world championship medals of any gymnast in history. Simone is an artistic gymnast from the United States. Her seven Olympic medals tied her with Shannon Miller for the most by an American gymnast and are tied for ninth overall. She is the most decorated gymnast in the history of the Gymnastics World Championships, having won 25 World Championship medals, and is widely regarded as the greatest gymnast of all time. Joe Biden awarded Biles the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2022.

Oprah Winfrey (Media)

"I've come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that's as unique as a fingerprint - and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you." - Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey is a media executive, talk show host, actress, producer, author and philanthropist who has risen to become one of the world's most powerful women. Her talk show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, was the highest-rated show of its type in history, and she has used her platform to advocate for causes such as education, literacy, and women's empowerment.

Beyonce (Music)

"The most alluring thing a woman can have is confidence." –Beyonce

Beyoncé is a singer, songwriter, and actress who has won 29 Grammy Awards and sold over 100 million records worldwide. Beyoncé is known for her boundary-pushing artistry and vocal prowess. Her success has earned her the title "Queen Bey" and made her a cultural icon. She is also an activist who has spoken out on issues such as Black Lives Matter, feminism, and LGBTQ rights.

Greta Thunberg (Social Developemnt)

"I am a feminist. And when I say that, I mean it in the truest sense of the word. I believe in the fight for women's rights and for gender equality. And that fight belongs to all of us." - Greta Thunberg

Greta Thunberg is a global symbol of youth activism and a climate activist. She began protesting for climate action when she was 15 years old and has since spoken at the United Nations, led global strikes, and inspired millions of young people around the world to demand climate action.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Literacture)

"Feminism is, of course, part of human rights in general - but to choose to use the vague expression human rights is to deny the specific and particular problem of gender. It would be a way of pretending that it was not women who have, for centuries, been excluded. It would be a way of denying that the problem of gender targets women." - ChimamandaNgoziAdichie, "We Should All Be Feminists."

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a Nigerian feminist author whose work has been translated into more than 30 languages. She has been recognised for her powerful writing on topics such as race, gender, and identity, and she has emerged as a leading voice in the global feminism conversation. She was described as "the most prominent" of a "procession of critically acclaimed young anglophone authors who are succeeding in attracting a new generation of readers to African literature," particularly in her second home, the United States, by The Times Literary Supplement.

These women have demonstrated that anything is possible with determination, hard work, and a desire to make the world a better place. They broke down barriers and inspired millions, and their legacies will continue to inspire future generations.