Its international Women’s day where we celebrate brave and inspirational Women throughout the years. Women’s rights have gone through dramatic changes since the 1950’s but one thing remains the same – fearless Women who continue to exist and change history! Let’s take a look at the women who’s existence has provided us with opportunities we have today and pushed for gender equality:
Rosalind Franklin
Franklin deduced the basic dimensions of DNA strands, and discovered the double-helix structure.
She was a largely overlooked member of the team and her contribution to such groundbreaking research was deliberately ignored!
Franklin taught us to always recognise your own achievements.
Hedy Lamarr
Lamarr had a lengthy career as a Hollywood actress but was also an inventor who designed the “secret communication system” during World War II. The technology was designed to prevent enemies from intercepting messages whilst maintaining connection.
Her invention has been so useful that it has now contributed to WiFi and bluetooth that is used today.
Lamarr taught us to embrace both your beauty and brains.
Rosa Parks
Most known for refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger during the racial segregation in America in the 1950’s as she was tired of giving in. Parks was arrested and later became a symbol of the civil rights movement.
Parks inspired us to never back down to injustice and stand to injustice.
Bettie Page
During an era of strong sexual repression, Bettie Page embraced her sexuality with her free spirit and sensuality. From the 50’s until present day she has gained a cult following and is mostly known for her erotic pin-up photos and short, blunt fringe which became her signature look.
Page taught us that women should embrace their own sexuality.
Audrey Hepburn
Not only the world’s best known actresses, Audrey Hepburn also became a UNICEF Ambassador where she travelled to various countries to help children in need. Hepburn testified what UNICEF means to the children as she was among those who recieved food as a child from medical relieft right after World War II.
She put her fame to use by visiting schools in Bangladesh, nutrition projects for children in Thailand, Vietnam and camps for displaced children in Sudan.
Hepburn inspired us to always help those in need.
Marilyn Monroe
A cultural icon with a combination of beauty and strong persistance to improve her position in the film industry made her truly unforgettable. Also teaching us the sexiest way to sing Happy Birthday!
Monroe taught us to always strive for what you want and persistance pays off.
Inspirational Women in present day
Laverne Cox
Cox’s role in Orange Is The New Black played a huge part in opening discussions on the struggles and discrimination trans-women face. This provided her with the platform to express the rights of transpeople and provoke change.
Cox taught us the importance of self-love and self acceptance
Michelle Obama
Graduated from both Princeton and Harvard and as first lady, she focused her attention on issues such as poverty, health and education. Obama also ran a nonprofit training programmes to help young adults develop skills for future careers. Michelle Obama also provided support of military families, helping working women balance career and family all while being a devoted Mother and Wife herself.
Is there anything Obama can’t do?
Obama taught us with hard work – anything is possible!
Malala Yousafzai
At the age of eleven years Malala Yousafzai fought for girls rights to education. After surviving an attempted assassination from the Taliban in 2012 on her school bus, she continued striving to provide education to young girls across the world. She then won The Nobel Peace Prize 2014 for her wonderful contributions: “With guns you can kill terrorists, with education you can kill terrorism.”
Yousafzai taught us the importance of education and not to give in to fear.
J.K.Rowling
Turned down by 12 publishers, lived through poverty and depression – Rowling is now one of the worlds most well-known and beloved author of the Harry Potter franchise. Her books brought magic to reading and is one of the biggest and best selling books world-wide.
Rowling taught us to overcome the hurdles thrown your way and always believe in the quality of your ideas.
More important women throughout History:
Harriet Tubman – Enslaved and escaped to help free others from slavery through an underground railroad, became known as the “Moses of her people.” Tubman was considered the first African American woman to serve in the military as a scout, nurse, spy and soldier during the Civil War.
Anne Frank – Her diary depicts the life of a teenage Jewish girl while in hiding from the Nazis where Anne and her family were eventually caught and taken to Auschwitz. Frank and her diary represent the voice that couldn’t be stifled – one voice out of the millions of Jews who lost their lives during during World War II.
Emmeline Pankhurt: Pankhurst paved the way for Women’s right to vote and became leader of the WSPU (Women’s Social and Political Union.) The Suffragettes faught hard for their cause through hunger strikes, chaining themselves and throwing themselves under horses. In 1918, it was agreed that Women who were married and owned a property were able to vote, then just a few weeks after Pankhurst’s death in 1928 a law was passed for all women over 21 years of age to vote.
Happy International Women’s day – What women inspire you?
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Love the Collectif team
xoxo
