WOMEN WHO PUT THE HERSTORY IN WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
Photo by Sinitta Leunen on Unsplash
By Anissa Durham
Trailblazing Women Who Paved the Way
Women’s History Month is a celebration that takes place during March in the U.S. The fight for equity, equal pay and rights for men and women has not gone unnoticed. These individuals have paved the way and fought for equity for the women of today.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
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Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the second woman to serve as an associate justice on the Supreme Court of the U.S. She spent her life fighting against gender discrimination and women’s rights, including equal pay. She was passionate about women receiving equity in all forms of life and was coined as “The Notorious R.B.G.”
Ginsburg served as a supreme court justice for nearly three decades before her death in September of 2020. Her work set the precedent for future women and men to continue fighting for equal rights. Additionally, it laid the foundation for feminist efforts for generations to come.
Malala
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Malala Yousafzai is a Middle Eastern woman who has spent her young life fighting for education rights in Pakistan. Her work as an activist is primarily focused on girls’ right to receive an education in her country and around the world. After being shot in 2012 for her activism, she was left with the choice to either live quietly or continue the fight.
With the help of her father, Malala established the Malala Fund, “a charity dedicated to giving every girl an opportunity to achieve a future she chooses.” In 2014 Malala became the youngest-ever Nobel laureate when she received the Nobel Peace Prize for her work. Years later she continues to advocate for girls’ rights to education. Her fund invests in “education advocates and activists who are challenging the policies and practices that prevent girls from going to school in their communities.”
Amanda Gorman
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Amanda Gorman is a Los Angeles native who became the youngest Black woman to recite a poem at a presidential inauguration. Her poem received national praise as she spoke of hope, resilience and the future of American democracy. Her poems primarily focus on issues of women’s rights, race, feminism, oppression and the African diaspora.
Gorman is releasing several books this year and is continuing to inspire girls and women across the country and the world. Gorman is a beautiful example of a woman using her youth to fight for equality for all kinds of people.