International Women’s Day is a globally recognized holiday celebrating the women’s rights movement. The holiday honors women’s strengths and achievements throughout history while highlighting key issues, such as reproductive rights and gender equality.
In the spirit of March 8th, here are four trailblazing female alumni of Brown University who have succeeded in athletics, politics, entertainment, and social justice.
- julie bowen
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An incredibly successful actress, many know and love Bowen as Claire Dunphy on the sitcom Modern Family. Bowen won two Emmys for the role and also landed roles in numerous other films and shows. At Brown, Bowen studied Italian Renaissance studies.
In addition to her successful acting career, Bowen, a known health activist, has bradycardia, a cardiovascular condition. She narrated a four-part docuseries titled “Population Health,” which details steps people can take to take control of their health.
Bowen has also used her platform to promote liberal politics, appearing in “Fight Song,” a Pitch Perfect-inspired music video played at the Democratic Convention supporting Hillary Clinton.
- Alicia Sacramone
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Alicia Sacramone has made waves in the gymnastics community. A gymnast on Brown University’s gymnastics team, Sacramone became the first collegiate gymnast to earn the top spot in all five events (floor, vault, bars, beam, and all around) at the Ivy League Classic her first year. Sacramone competed for Team USA at the Beijing Summer Olympics as the team captain and won a silver medal. Sacramone is now in the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame.
Sacramone has also advocated for women’s body positivity, appearing in ESPN’s “Body Issue” in 2011, giving a raw account of her struggles with body image and her road to self-acceptance.
- Janet Yellen
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Janet Louise Yellen graduated from Brown University’s Pembroke College in 1967. One of the few women to pursue a degree in economics, Yellen graduated with summa cum laude distinction and has become a trailblazer for women in the field. Yellen currently serves as the United States secretary of the treasury and previously served as the 15th chair of the Federal Reserve. Yellen is the first woman to hold either post. Yellen also led the White House Council of Economic Advisors.
- Justice A. Gaines
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Gaines, who graduated from Brown in 2016, was an active and vocal participant in social justice movements on campus and became a champion for women, the LGBTQ+ community, and other marginalized groups.
During her time at Brown, Gaines led numerous efforts to better student workers’ lives, organizing a turnout of hundreds to support sexual assault survivors and advocate for racial justice and working with the administration to create the Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan. Since graduating, Gaines has facilitated the Rhode Island Racial Justice Coalition, worked as an organizer with Rhode Island Jobs With Justice and served as a Direct Action for Rights and Equality board member.
A transgender woman, Gaines has also dedicated herself to uplifting the LGBTQ+ community and has been a staunch advocate of transgender rights. She testified to ensure all Rhode Island schools have transgender protections, serves as the Queer Justice Coordinator for the Providence Youth Student Movement, and was a speaker at the 2018 Trans Health Conference and the Rhode Island Women’s March.
Gaines is also a talented writer and poet, winning numerous competitions and using her work to further advocate for social change.