Every year, on March 8th, the world takes time to celebrate cultural, social, political, and economic achievements of fierce females. International Women’s Day would not be possible without the contributions of women who were not afraid to work hard, be powerful, and take risks.
For centuries, women were oppressed and this kind of conditioning can be difficult to overcome, but as a sisterhood, we are taking strides in the right direction! With the support of other like-minded and driven women, we can (and will) achieve great things.
While you likely have a few strong and inspiring women in your life, we want to celebrate this momentous day by sharing the stories of some well-known ladies who dared to become.
Michelle Obama
Despite what some may think — Michelle Obama is much more than the former First Lady of the United States. Before she became a wife, mother, and the first African-American First lady, Michelle was a hard-working lawyer. With the intention of making the world a better place for her two daughters and generations to come, Michelle continues to use her platform to advocate for families, higher education among marginalized groups, and education for girls all around the globe.
Michelle graduated from Harvard Law School in 1988 and joined a Chicago law firm called Sidley & Austin. After meeting Barack Obama and falling madly in love, Michelle became the founding executive director of a program that aims to prepare youth for public service.
Mrs. Obama has shared many inspirational tid-bits since entering the public eye, like “Success isn’t about how your life looks to others. It’s about how it feels to you.”
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah believes that everyone should take accountability for their lives and actions, and work to improve the world. As an actress, producer, and television icon, Oprah has used her platform to eradicate child abuse, fund battered women’s shelters, and provide assistance to schools as she understands the importance of a good education.
What sets Oprah apart from many is that she was the first African-American woman to find success in starting her own production company. She has always said that “Doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.” This quote highlights the importance of always trying your hardest and tackling challenges with confidence.
Simone Biles
Like many professional athletes, Simone Biles had to make many personal sacrifices to excel in gymnastics. When she was 14, she left public school to pursue the sport and was homeschooled so that she could practice for 6 to 8 hours each day — now that’s a serious commitment! Her determination and dedication led her to winning 19 medals, which makes her the most decorated gymnast in American history.
Greta Thunberg
If climate change and sustainability is a passion of yours, you’re probably familiar with the work that Greta Thunberg has been doing. Despite being only 21 years old, Greta has been challenging large companies and world leaders to take action towards mitigating climate change. The Swedish environmentalist has organized many protests and has even founded a movement called Fridays for Future.
Greta continues to inspire others with her tenacity, bravery, and dedication to what she believes in — protecting the environment. What we can learn from Greta is that hard work at any age can pay off as she started advocating for the planet at age 15.
Kamala Harris
Vice President Harris is known to be a well-spoken, unapologetic, intelligent, highly educated, and strong woman, inspiring generations. Kamala is certainly not afraid to stand up for herself and demand justice. Showing girls and younger women how to harness and use their own power is something that she feels very passionate about.
As the first Black person and first woman to become the vice president of the United States, Kamala has shaken up the patriarchy. Kamala has shared that as a young girl, her mother always told her not to just sit around and complain about things — instead, take action.
It’s important to note that success did not fall at the feet of any of these women, instead, they had to do the work. Each of these women recognized their self-worth and have used it to tackle their goals.
Join our “Becoming Truly You” conference in March! Learn from these inspirational women, connect with a supportive community, and take the first step towards becoming the best version of yourself. Purchase your ticket today and let’s celebrate together.
