2017 has so far proven that women the world over are willing to fight for their gender and their sexual rights. Whether led by others or individually, there are so many women both in our day and in the past that have inspired this fight. Here are ten badass ladies that should be our contemporary role models.
10. Malala Yousafzai
This young woman was almost killed for daring to educate herself in a country that wouldn’t let her. But she fought on, and has since become an important model for girls who grew up in her situation, and has even won a Nobel Prize for her work in striving for the rights to female education for all ages.
9. The Suffragettes
Willing to risk jail and possibly death, the women of today owe the deeper recognition of their sex as active particpants in their country’s political and social decisions to these women. Of particular note is Emmeline Pankhurst, a central part of the British Suffragette movement – as well as Ida Wells, their counterpart in the United States who also strived for the justice of the black people of the South. We owe these women our current status in the world.
8. Frida Kahlo
Despite her lifelong injury, Kahlo became a visionary painter and, indeed, brought about a change in the way Mexican and foreign artists were seen in North America. She has become a figure in today’s art world for realist depictions of indigenous traditions and the female experience of life itself – which we could all learn from now and again.
7. Ada Lovelace
The daughter of Lord Byron, Ada proved that just because her father was a literary soul didn’t mean she had to follow in his footsteps. The first computer programmer, and the person to whom we owe the continuing advances in technology today, Ada surpassed the expectations of women of her time, so why shouldn’t we?
6. Ellen DeGeneres
An important presence in today’s media world through her famous talk show, Ellen has proven herself a role model for women everywhere. Her representation of the LGBTQ+ community, celebration of same-sex marriage and work to fight prejudice and discrimination won her the Medal of Freedom Award in November – and it was well deserved!
5. Oprah Winfrey
Much like our previous suggested role model, Oprah still has, even after the cancellation of her show, an immense broadcasting and media presence. But she is not just that: also a writer and an actress, Oprah fought for her rights to work in the television industry, regardless of the racial and gender discriminations when she rose to fame. She is an example to us all of kindness, level-headedness and intelligence. Also, Oprah for 2020 President might be a thing now.
4. Carrie Fisher
Yes, I know this one seems kind of obvious, but there’s a reason for the abundance of images of Princess Leia found at the Women’s Marches. Even outside of her most well-known character, Carrie Fisher has proven to be a force to be reckoned with (get it?) even after her death. From her unabashedly amazing persona, to her incredible work and awareness-raising of mental health, this is one Princess who will not fade into history.
3. Aung San Suu Kyi
Another Nobel laureate, I am of the opinion that this woman’s work and life should be better known and more talked about all over the world. If anyone on this list has fought for a country at the risk of their own lives the most, it’s her. Put under house arrest various times for her political activism, she always managed to rise up and keep fighting for her beliefs, and it finally paid off when she became the first State Councillor of Myanmar. Hers is a tale of perseverance that we should all strive to model.
2. J.K. Rowling
A literal phoenix from the ashes. 20 years ago, Joanne Rowling published a book about an eleven year old wizard, and went on to shape the lives of millions. With her epic novel series, Jo proved that anyone could change their own circumstances, and with her charities and donations, she has been fighting for awareness and support of a number of illnesses that need to be better recognized.
Again an obvious choice, and if you don’t know the role model this woman has proven herself to be not only to American women, but to women all over the world, then you’re living under a rock. Even when she lost her bid for the White House, she remained gracious and accepting, and she is the type of woman in both character and purpose that we all wish to be.
Be Bold for Change. Check out the FXU Feminist Society if you want to get involved in events closer to home!