EMPOWERED WOMAN
Although women have faced many struggles, we should never downplay how important, successful, and strong they are.
It is impossible to choose just one woman of the week, so here are our influential empowered women of the week!
WOMEN OF THE WEEK
Gloria Steinem
Trail blazing feminist and one of the main leaders and spokes-persons of the women’s rights movement in the 1960s and 70s. She was an acclaimed journalist. One of her most famous writings “I was a playboy bunny”, where she gained national attention when the article revealed the truth about Hugh Hefner’s Playboy Club. Stineem dove deep into the sexist and underpaid life of a bunny, the objectification of women in the club and the sexual assault women had to endure while working a job that paid less than minimum wage. Her story was so well received, and it was seen as a revolution; a common person speaking about a high profile person's empire -- from the bottom up -- exposing the workforce for what an unfair system it was. She then went on to New York magazine where she reported on political campaigns and progressive social justice, including the Women's Liberation Movement. She spoke about legalizing abortion in the United States. She shared her story on how she traveled overseas to receive an abortion at the age of twenty-two. This event was life changing and sparked her engagement with the Women’s Rights Movement. Since then, Steinem has dedicated her life to the cause of women’s rights. Steinem is an inspiration and is a large part of why women have some of the rights they have today.
Maya Angelou
Writer, poet, performer, and activist. She was an inspiration to many. She is best known for her work as an author and poet. "I Know Why Caged Bird Sings" the 1969 memoir about Angelu's childhood and young adult years, it dives deep into her experience of overcoming racism and trauma associated with racism, by utilizing her inner strength and her love for literature. Her book made history as the first nonfiction book to be a bestseller by a black woman. She has had many successful poems, such as: “Still I Rise,”and “Phenomenal Woman.” Angelou was an Emmy and Tony nominated actor and singer; and she became the first black woman to have a screenplay produced, a 1972 movie Georgia, Georgia. As a civil rights activist, Angelou worked with great leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcom X. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She sadly passed away in May of 2014, at the age of eighty-six; nevertheless, her legacy will continue to live on.
Malala Yousafzai
Twenty-six year old activist who fights for girls education. She is the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate, awarded at the tender age of 17. She is an inspiration to all, her story began with her love for education. Her father, a teacher, ran an all girls' school in her village. The Taliban took control over her town in Swat Valley; they banned things like watching television and playing music. The most devastating for Yousafzai was the ban on girls going to school. This wasn't an option for Malala. She decided to speak out on girls rights to their education, this put a large target on her back. She was shot in the head on her way home from school, thankfully, she survived the shooting and woke up days later in a hospital in Birmingham, England. She was able to make a recovery after months of surgery and rehabilitation. She decided to work everyday and continue her fight until every girl gets to go to school. She established a fund (Malala Fund), a charity determined to give every girl “an opportunity to achieve a future she chooses.” She continues her fight till this day with over 130 million girls out of school. She aims to create a world where girls will learn and lead.