International Women’s Day is observed on March 8th which is a global day celebrating the social, economic cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action against accelerating gender parity. The theme for this year is An equal world is an enabled world.
Collectively we can contribute in small ways to make a big difference. To celebrate the achievements of women in various disciplines we have jotted down inspirational quotes from the most well-known women in the world who have done exemplary work in their respective fields.
Malala Yousafzai
Yousafzai survived a Taliban gunshot wound and has since become an ambassador for human rights, education and women’s rights. She had received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014.
Coco Chanel
Coco Chanel, born in France in 1883 and a fashion designer, is well-known for her style, timeless designs, and off course the little black dress. Chanel was brought up and learned to knit in an orphanage. Until opening its first clothes shop in 1910, she had a rather forgettable career as a singer.
J.K. Rowling
Rowling is the author of the Harry Potter series which is wildly popular. The first novel was published in 1997. In 1999 the series ‘ first three books earned the top three spots on the bestseller list of the New York Times.
Rosa Parks
Back in the’ 50s, in Montgomery, Alabama, the practice was that if a bus were packed, white passengers would be given the seats at the front. Iconically, Parks, the pioneer of the local NAACP and the civil rights movement, refused to give up her seat. Her ability to disobey the law helped spark Montgomery’s boycott and other efforts to end segregation in America.
Oprah Winfrey
Winfrey started out as a reporter for Nashville in the 1970s before being given her own 30-minute talk show at a Chicago station. In 1986 the Oprah Winfrey Show went live on national television. She had earned the title of first African American billionaire female by 2003.
Margaret Thatcher
She has been Britain’s longest-serving 20th-century Prime Minister and the first woman to hold that post. A journalist from the Soviet Union called her “The Iron Lady,” the title synonymous with her uncompromising methods of politics and leadership. As Prime Minister, she has followed policies known as Thatcherism.
Aung San Suu Kyi
The human rights activist, the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize and the current state Counselor for Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi (born 19 June 1945 in Yangon, Burma). Through non-violence, she brought democracy to her country. She is the leader of Burma’s National League for Democracy.
Mother Teresa
The Roman Catholic Nun Mother Teresa has dedicated her life to helping the world’s poor and vulnerable. For many years she spent in Calcutta, India and founded a religious congregation that supported those in great need, the “Missionaries of Charity.”
Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou, an acclaimed American poet, storyteller, activist, and autobiographer, was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Angelou had a sparkling career as a singer, dancer, actress, musician, and became Hollywood’s first female black director, but reached new heights as a writer, editor, essayist, playwright, and poet. Angelou served as a civil rights activist for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.
Indira Gandhi
Gandhi became India’s third prime minister in 1966 and is one of a few examples of women in the country rising to power. She continued in her position for over 20 years until she was assassinated in 1984.
Benazir Bhutto
In 1988 Bhutto became Pakistan’s first woman prime minister. After a military coup toppled the government of her father, she inherited the leadership of the People’s Party of Pakistan. She called for open elections and won just after 3 months of giving birth to a child.
Celebrate greatness by enabling women around you equal opportunities to succeed. If you cannot help do not become an impediment in her way, let her be what she wants to be and you will see a better world.
