10 Inspiring Women Who Rock Our World

Throughout history, women have been admired, adored, and revered as well as abused, condemned, and repressed. In this day and age, women are fortunately fighting harder for equality and getting the respect we deserve. It is an uphill climb, but feminism is now a concept that is known and being spoken of openly. To commemorate International Women’s Day, we are celebrating the victories that women throughout the ages have accomplished to get to where we are now. And these victories were mad possible by key women in history who have influenced major movements in how people view feminism and have served as inspiration for women everywhere:

1. Hilary Clinton

“In too many instances, the march to globalization has also meant the marginalization of women and girls. And that must change.“

Hilary Clinton is a Yale-educated lawyer, a former Secretary of State, former US First Lady, mother, and the only woman to have had a shot at being the President of the United States of America. Just reading through these credentials would give anyone an accurate picture about how great a woman she is. But what she also is, is that she’s resilient. She stood by her husband, Bill Clinton, throughout an incredibly embarrassing sex scandal, and has survived her own fair share of scandals including a long and winding classified e-mail controversy. And even after her defeat in her bid for the Presidency, she continues to serve the public via her “Onward Together” program, a new political action committee that she wrote as being “dedicated to advancing the progressive vision that earned nearly 66 million votes in the last election.”

2. Oprah Winfrey

“I want all the girls watching here, now, to know that a new day is on the horizon. And when that new day finally dawns, it will be because of a lot of magnificent women, many of whom are right here in this room tonight, and some pretty phenomenal men, fighting hard to make sure that they become the leaders who take us to the time when nobody ever has to say, ‘Me too,’ again.”

Oprah Winfrey is a talk show host, business mogul, actress, and philanthropist. She is one of the most revered African-American female icons and has used her wealth and influence through the decades to speak out about causes dear to her, like racism, feminism, and sexual abuse. Her acceptance speech for the Cecile B. De Mile award at the 2018 Golden Globes was a rousing call to action against the rampant sexual abuse and racial discrimination in the Hollywood system. Her gift of gab and charisma definitely puts her as one of the most powerful women not just in entertainment, but in history.

3. The Spice Girls

“If you wannabe my lover, you gotta get with my friends. Make it last forever, ’cause friendship never ends.“

The best girl band of all time (no arguments there) put the phrase “Girl Power” in the modern vocabulary. Posh, Ginger, Sporty, Scary, and Baby were role models for every pre-pubescent and teenaged girl in the mid to late 90s. In a decade where feminism was feared as a concept and wasn’t talked about too often, they made it sound fun and understandable to people of all ages. Also, “Wannabe” and its unforgettable chorus that reads, “If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends” is the ultimate hos over bros anthem even up until this generation.

4. Gabriela Silang

The Philippine history books are mainly dominated by male heroes. And while we admire and acknowledge their strength and sacrifice for the country, women deserve a space in the annals of Philippine history. Gabriela Silang was one of the most badass chicks of the Philippine Revolution against Spain. After her husband Diego Silang’s assassination, she was the first woman to lead a rebel movement against Spain and successfully did so, up until her capture and execution. Her leadership made a massive impact though, and she has been immortalized in the history books as a powerful female heroine.

5. Britney Spears

“I would like to be called an inspiration to people, not a role model – because I make mistakes like everybody else. When I’m offstage, I’m just like everybody else.“

It may be uncommon to find Britney in a “Powerful Women” list. She is one of the most underrated pop stars in Hollywood. But look at the trajectory of her life: from her rise as a beloved dancing Catholic schoolgirl to her descent into a mentally troubled, head-shaving tabloid queen, and then eventually her rise back into a phenomenally fit mom of two with a successful Las Vegas residency. Britney has been through hell and back. You have got to admire her resilience and fortitude to get through all that, stronger than yesterday! If Britney can survive 2007, we can survive anything.

6. Princess Diana

“Some of them will live and some will die, but they all need to be loved while they are here. I try to be there for them.“

Diana, the Princess of Wales, was the darling of the entire world up until her tragic death in a Paris car crash in 1997. And although her personal life and marriage were in shambles, that did not deter her from her philanthropic causes—from her anti-landmine platform, her HIV/AIDS awareness programs, and being a champion for underprivileged children. The list goes on and on. Even after her death, her legacy as one of the most revered women in history remains.

7. Vice President Leni Robredo

“You do not lose sight of what you believe in, you do not lose sight of the goal. You drown out the voices, because there are bigger battles to fight.“

The Philippine political system is mostly dominated by male politicians who unfortunately have a very backwards way of dealing with women and tackling women’s issues. Aside from being an efficient public servant, VP Leni is also an inspiration for Filipino women who constantly have to face male oppression on a day to day basis. She is a shining beacon in this very patriarchal system, leading with grace under constant (male) pressure. She does so simply by consistently doing her job, and continuing her anti-poverty and women empowerment programs.

8. Michelle Obama

“There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.“

The saying goes: “behind every powerful man is a powerful woman,” and in former US President Barack Obama’s case, that woman is his upstanding wife, Michelle. As the former US First Lady, she did not merely stand “behind” her man but was also at the forefront of various causes that she personally supported. She established her own legacy by supporting education for girls with her “Let Girls Learn” initiative, her speeches of encouragement in various functions telling girls that they are good enough to compete with any of the boys, and of course, her marvelous fashion sense.

9. Coco Chanel

“Fashion fades, only style remains the same.“

No other woman shaped the landscape of women’s fashion quite like Coco Chanel did. As the founder of the Chanel brand in the early 1910s, she is credited for liberating women from the very contracting “corset silhouette” of yesteryears. As a savvy businesswoman and talented designer, she catapulted the Chanel brand to iconic status, and launched other iconic symbols like the CC logo, the “little black dress,” and the timeless Chanel No. 5 perfume. The Chanel brand is still one of the most popular and adored fashion houses over a hundred years after its founding, and her name will always be revered as one of the pillars of high fashion.

10. Queen Elizabeth II

“I have in sincerity pledged myself to your service, as so many of you are pledged to mine. Throughout all my life and with all my heart I shall strive to be worthy of your trust.“

England’s longest reigning monarch has led the country through both prosperous and turbulent times for six entire decades. Her ascent to the throne wasn’t easy, as those of us who’ve watched Netflix’s The Crown know. Her youth and gender were two factors that the men that surrounded her took against her during the beginning of her reign, at one point going head to head with none other than the acclaimed Winston Churchill. And yet she powered through, proving to them one hurdle after the other that she could do the job just as well (or even better than) any King could, while remaining beloved by the people to boot!