Take a moment to recognize the women who are changing our world today. These extraordinary women are breaking barriers, going beyond, and inspiring millions through their courage, resilience, and determination.

From advocating for human rights to excelling in sports, science, politics, and the arts, these great women are making a lasting impact on the world. In no particular order, here are some influential women you should look up to:

Malala Yousafzai

“I tell my story not because it is unique, but because it is the story of many girls.”

Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani education activist and the youngest Nobel Prize laureate in history. She is widely admired for her courage and dedication to defending girls' right to education.

In 2012, Malala Yousafzai was shot by the Taliban because of her vocal protests and growing media profile. She survived the attack and refused to be silenced, turning her personal tragedy into a powerful global movement for education.

In recognition of her extraordinary efforts to promote children’s rights and access to education, she was jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 at the age of 17. She later graduated from Oxford University in 2020.

Malala Yousafzai continues her activism globally as the executive chair of the Malala Fund, taking the movement for girls’ education to governments and leaders around the world. Outside of Malala Fund, she is involved in many different projects, from film production to writing.

Sunisa Lee

“When it comes to your health, it’s so important to advocate for yourself, to use your voice even when it is shaking.”

Sunisa Lee is an American artistic gymnast and she currently holds six total Olympic medals as of the Olympic Games Paris 2024. She made history as the first Hmong American Olympian and the first Asian American woman to win the Olympic individual all-around title.

Her passion for gymnastics began at the age of six after watching the sport on TV. She trained at Midwest Gymnastics Center and by age 11, she qualified for elite status, beginning a remarkable journey to the highest level of sport.

In 2021, Sunisa Lee was named the Sports Illustrated Female Athlete of the and received an Asia Game Changer Award the same year.

She has overcome significant hurdles, including a rare kidney disease diagnosis, to remain elite at the top tier of elite gymnasts. Now, she is also active in the charity scene, making generous donations and partnering with organizations like the American Kidney Fund.

Emma Watson

“If you truly pour your heart into what you believe in, even if it makes you vulnerable, amazing things can and will happen.”

Emma Watson is a British actress, humanitarian, activist, best known for playing Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series. Rising to worldwide fame at a young age, she has used her visibility and renown to become a prominent advocate for feminism and women’s equality.

The global success of the Harry Potter franchise made Emma one of the most recognisable actresses in the world. Rather than limiting herself to acting, she chose to use her influence to advocate for women's rights and gender equality.

In 2012, Emma was chosen as the Woman of the Year by British GQ in 2013, and in 2014, she was appointed as a UN Women Goodwill ambassador. That same year, she launched the UN Women's HeForShe campaign to promote gender equality.

Emma is also passionate in promoting girls’ education. She has visited Bangladesh and Zambia as part of her humanitarian efforts. In addition, she has worked to promote fair trade and organic clothing and served as an ambassador for Camfed International, a movement to educate girls in rural Africa.

Eileen Gu

“I hope to inspire young girls to break boundaries and believe that they can achieve anything they set their minds to.”

Eileen Gu is an Olympic champion freestyle skier, global role model, and fashion icon who achieved extraordinary success before the age of 20.

At the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, Eileen made history by becoming the first freestyle skier to win three medals at a single Olympic Games: gold in big air and halfpipe and silver in slopestyle.

In addition to her Olympic triumphs, this freestyle ski prodigy is a two-time world champion, three-time Winter X Games champion, and two-time Winter Youth Olympic Games gold medalist.

Off the slopes, Eileen has become a leading figure in the fashion industry, working with luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton and appearing on the covers of major magazines, including Vogue. She uses her platform to redefine modern femininity in a male-dominated sport.

Greta Thunberg

"I want you to act as if our house is on fire. Because it is."

Greta Thunberg is a Swedish environmental activist who has become one of the world's most influential voices in the fight against climate change.

In 2018, at just 15 years old, Greta began a solo school strike outside the Swedish Parliament to protest the lack of action on climate change.

What started as one student's protest quickly grew into Fridays for Future, a global youth-led movement that has mobilized millions of people across every continent, urging governments to take stronger action against the climate crisis.

Greta has addressed world leaders at major international events, including the United Nations Climate Action Summit, calling on governments to follow scientific evidence. In 2019, she became the youngest person ever named TIME Person of the Year. In 2019, she became the youngest person ever named TIME Person of the Year.

Amanda Gorman

“For there is always light, If only we're brave enough to see it, If only we're brave enough to be it.”

Amanda Gorman is an American poet, activist, and the first-ever National Youth Poet Laureate She is a committed advocate for the environment, racial equality and gender justice.

Amanda discovered her passion for poetry during childhood, using it as an accessible way to express herself. Her talent and dedication led her to become the first Los Angeles Youth Poet Laureate in 2014.

In 2017, while studying at Harvard University, Amanda became the first National Youth Poet Laureate in the United States. She later graduated cum laude in 2020 with a degree in sociology.

She gained worldwide recognition in 2021 when she performed her poem “The Hill We Climb” at the inauguration of U.S. President Joe Biden, becoming the youngest poet ever to perform at a U.S. presidential inauguration.

Ursula Von Der Leyen

“Yes, protecting our liberty comes at a price. Because freedom is priceless, Honourable Members. This is our principle: Freedom is priceless.”

Ursula von der Leyen is a German politician and the first woman to serve as President of the European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union. She is recognised as one of the most influential female leaders in global politics, working on issues including climate change, public health, and European unity.

Before entering European leadership, Ursula built a career in German politics and became the first woman to serve as Germany’s Minister of Defence in 2013.

In 2019, Ursula von der Leyen made history when she was elected President of the European Commission, becoming the first woman to hold the position. During her presidency, she has led major initiatives such as the European Green Deal, which aims to make Europe climate-neutral by 2050, and coordinated the EU’s response to global challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic and security crises.

In 2024, she was re-elected for a second term as President of the European Commission, continuing her work to strengthen cooperation among European countries and address global issues.

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift is a famous American singer-songwriter, global pop superstar, and cultural icon, known for her storytelling lyrics, record-breaking tours, and massive global fan base.

Taylor began her music career as a teenager, releasing her self-titled debut album in 2006. She has become one of the best-selling music artists of all time, earning numerous Grammy Awards, including multiple Album of the Year wins.

Her record-breaking Eras Tour became the highest-grossing concert tour in history. She was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame as one of its youngest female honorees.

Beyond her music, Taylor frequently makes headlines for her cultural influence, her successful re-recording of her early albums to regain ownership of her work, and her impact on popular culture.

Beyond her success in music, Taylor is also known for her generosity and philanthropy. She has donated millions of dollars to disaster relief, education, medical research, food banks, and organizations supporting women and children. She also uses her platform to encourage civic engagement and support causes she believes in.

Dolly Parton

“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain!”

Dolly Parton is an American singer, songwriter, actress, author, and philanthropist. She is one of the most successful country music artists of all time and is admired for her talent, kindness, and generosity.

Dolly began her music career at a young age and became famous for hit songs such as "Jolene," "9 to 5," and "I Will Always Love You." Over the years, she has won numerous awards and has become one of the best-selling female country artists in history.

In 1995, she founded the Imagination Library, a program that has provided millions of free books to children around the world, encouraging a lifelong love of reading. She has also donated to education, disaster relief, and medical research.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dolly donated $1 million to support early research that contributed to the development of the Moderna vaccine. She later celebrated receiving the vaccine by sharing a rewritten version of her famous song “Jolene” to encourage others to get vaccinated.

Jennifer Doudna

“One of the problems in the biotech world is the lack of women in leadership roles, and I'd like to see that change by walking the walk.”

Jennifer Doudna is an American biochemist best known for helping develop CRISPR-Cas9, a groundbreaking gene-editing technology that allows scientists to change DNA with great accuracy. Her work has transformed the future of medicine, biology, and biotechnology.

Alongside Emmanuelle Charpentier, Jennifer discovered how CRISPR-Cas9 could be adapted into a powerful tool for editing genes. This breakthrough has helped researchers develop potential treatments for genetic disorders, improve disease research, and advance innovations in agriculture and biotechnology.

In 2020, Jennifer and Charpentier were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their discovery of CRISPR-Cas9, making them the first two women to jointly receive the prize in the sciences. Jennifer has also received numerous other prestigious awards, including the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences and the Gruber Prize in Genetics.

Beyond her scientific achievements, Jennifer has also become a strong advocate for the responsible use of gene-editing technology. She works to ensure that scientific discoveries are used safely and ethically to benefit society.

Sources

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  • Team USA. “Sunisa Lee.” Team USA, https://www.teamusa.com/profiles/sunisa-lee-1074875.
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