Women's History Month Women Change Makers

Women In History: Influential Social Change Makers of the World

Social issues are the problems that are faced by the society on a daily basis. Sometimes we are able to solve them or sometimes we lose the battle. This doesn’t mean we should stop and embrace defeat. We should challenge the problems and face them head-on. The moment we give up is the moment we let someone else win. Below are some of the many influential women who are battling social changes and making the world a better place.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg Ruth Bader Ginsburg

What can we say about RBG, that hasn’t already been said at numerous occasions. Being appointed to the US Supreme Court in 1993 by then President, Bill Clinton, she has been serving this great nation with ferocity. She has been referred to as a “pop culture icon” by the media and various industries. Her views on Abortion where she mentioned that the government has no role in making a choice for a woman has been the most cited case in the courts. Her Gender Discrimination case where she mentioned that VMI’s (Virginia Military Institute) male-only policy was wrong and it needed to changed was the case that won her 100 most influential people in the TIME Magazine. Ruth has been fighting cases ferociously and setting an example on how to lead.

Malala YousafzaiMalala Yousafzai

Magnanimous Malala is a survivor of a Taliban shot since age 15. It took her 2 years to assess her life and since then she has been an advocate of basic human rights like education for women and children, especially in her village in Pakistan. After she was shot and underwent surgeries, Gordon Brown, the UN special envoy for Global Education met her in her hospital room and told her that they were launching a petition in her name. It was launched in the same name as she used while fighting battles internally and externally. ‘I am Malala’. The Malala fund now has enough money to open schools around the world and educate girls and children.

Emma GonzalezEmma Gonzalez

Gun control has been America’s biggest issue since I can remember. Emma Gonzalez has been an activist for Gun Control since she survived the deadly attack at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL. She has been advocating for change in issues through social media and also through the website, neveragain.com. The hashtags #neveragain and #enoughisenough has gained international attraction and people have shown support and helped the movement through pledges and donations and marches. This has been possible because of Emma and her bold steps.

Michelle ObamaFirst Lady Michelle Obama

The First African American First Lady of the United States. She is a lawyer, a university administrator and a writer. But firstly, she is a Mom. She is a Mom in chief and has given priority to family while handling social issues. She has been outspoken on LGBT rights and have supported them with her husband, Barack Obama. She and her husband came out publicly in favor of same-sex marriage in May, 2012 and have changed the law since then. Her book, ‘Becoming’ is a must-read and NY Times Bestseller on how to be a mom and handle changes in the society.

Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen DeGeneresEllen has been making people laugh since the 1990s’. Let it be her stand-up comedy, her observational humor or her show. She is one of the most influential people in the LGBTQ+ community. She came out as a lesbian in 1997 on Oprah’s show and her character on her show, ‘Ellen’ also came out as the same. The show was canceled because the management of the production company weren’t happy with it. She had to start from scratch again and go back to stand-up comedy. When more people started coming out and they were given the same treatment as not being treated fairly, she started a revolution and today she is one of the most watched people in the world. ‘The Ellen Show’ has ratings that are off the charts and she, herself has been awarded the ‘Presidential Medal of Freedom’, which is the highest honor given to a civilian.