On International Women’s Day, we bring you inspiration from some of the biggest feminists across generations
- Ladies have traditionally struggled to gain equal footing in several spheres of life
- From Oprah Winfrey to Malala Yousafzai, these women have championed the cause of female equality
International Women’s day is celebrated worldwide on March 8. Photo: ShutterstockInternational Women’s Day celebrates women’s social and political accomplishments across the globe. Historically, women have struggled to gain equal footing in areas such as career positions, pay, medical care and more. This week, we explore empowering quotes from women across the globe who have made a difference.
Amelia Earhart
“The most effective way to do it, is to do it.”
Amelia Earhart pioneered women’s aviation in the early to mid-20th century and became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. In a time when women were systematically oppressed worldwide, Earhart proved that women could do a “man’s job” by learning to fly aeroplanes.
In 1919, at a time when women rarely sought higher education, Earhart enrolled in Columbia University, one of the most prestigious institutes in the US. Her passion for flying led the American to the most ambitious adventure of her life as she attempted to circumnavigate the globe in 1937 but mysteriously disappeared.
Malala Yousafzai
“We realise the importance of our voices only when we are silenced.”
Malala Yousafzai knows first-hand what it is like to be silenced, having faced dire consequences for speaking out against inequality. Yousafzai, now 26, was an outspoken advocate for women’s education in Pakistan, her home country.
When she was 11, she began shedding light on the oppressive regime of the Pakistani Taliban, which used to prevent girls from going to school. Because of her advocacy, she was shot by the Taliban in an assassination attempt at age 15. After she recovered, Malala became one of the most well-known teens in the world and went on to be the youngest person to win a Nobel Prize in 2014.
Oprah Winfrey
“Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness.”
Oprah Winfrey is one of the most well-known and well-respected television personalities of today. She not only made a name for herself as a talk-show host, but is also known for empowering women and for her philanthropy. Winfrey became the first Black woman to rank among the 50 most generous Americans. She has given hundreds of millions of dollars to educational causes.
Manal al-Sharif
“Because my mother couldn’t change my present, I decided to change my daughter’s future.”
Manal al-Sharif is a women’s rights activist from Saudi Arabia, where she challenges the social and legal rules that suppress women. In 2011, she posted a video where she is driving a car, which was illegal in her country. She was arrested and imprisoned for the crime of “driving while female”. In 2017, she published a memoir – Daring to Drive – about her experiences standing up for her rights. Even though Saudi Arabia has now allowed women to drive, al-Sharif is still in a self-imposed exile in Australia.
Margaret Atwood
“Men often ask me, ‘Why are your female characters so paranoid?’ It’s not paranoia. It’s recognition of their situation.”
Margaret Atwood is a Canadian author, most famous for her classic novel The Handmaid’s Tale, which explores themes of female oppression within a dystopian backdrop. Her book navigates classism and misogyny in a world where women are regarded as housewives or only live to bear children. The novel was published in 1985, during a time when women still struggled to break traditional marital stereotypes. Atwood herself is outspoken about feminism and women’s rights, and her writing speaks for itself.