According to the Global Gender Gap Report published by the World Economic Forum, there is still a long way to go until gender equality can be achieved. The study concludes that at the current rate of progress, it will take 132 years to close the global gender gap.
However, significant progress has been made, especially in the last two centuries. Partly because of the traces left by several important women in history.
Reporting from Tatler Asia, here are 7 inspiring women from around the world who have helped advance women by breaking down barriers and shattering glass ceilings so that others can follow in their footsteps.
1. Marie Curie (1867 – 1934)
Marie Curie/Foto: Dok. Science History Institute
Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the first person to receive the Nobel Prize twice in Physics in 1903 and Chemistry in 1911. She also remains the only scientist to win two Nobel Prizes.
As a leading researcher, his work paved the way for the advancement of modern physics. Despite discrimination at the time, she achieved her goal of learning and developing her talents, and later promoted women’s access to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) degrees.
2. Anna May Wong (1905-1961)
Anna May Wong/Photo: Doc. MUBI
Anna May Wong is considered one of the first Asian-American film stars in the United States. Through his roles and services, he fought for wider representation and broke stereotypes against Asians on the Hollywood screen. Anna succeeded in making a name for herself in the era of racism that existed in the United States at that time.
Throughout her active life, Anna always had roles that were not free from racial stereotypes. In addition, Anna is a talented artist who is not fully appreciated by receiving low income.
After experiencing racist treatment in Hollywood, Anna moved to Europe to star in English, French and German films. Anna is also an advocate fighting for increased representation and more multi-dimensional roles for Asian-American actors
3. Coco Chanel (1883-1971)
Coco Chanel/Photo: Dok. Lottie Dolls
Who doesn’t know the Chanel brand? This brand is a premium brand that is often used by many world celebrities. Not only clothes, this brand also produces many products, ranging from bags, perfume, to beauty products. Behind the success of her brand, Coco Chanel, whose real name was Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, once lived in an orphanage.
Coco Chanel learned to sew from nuns and eventually dreamed of opening her own shop. Her journey was not easy, Coco Chanel also worked as a cafe singer.
Using relationships from her work as a cafe singer, Coco Chanel managed to increase her prestige through word of mouth and later became one of the most influential fashion designers in the world.
Coco Chanel is not only an inspiration for her success story, but also for revolutionizing the way women dress and think when she challenged social norms and encouraged women to dare to express themselves.
4. Hedy Lamarr (1914-2000)
Hedy Lamarr/Photo: Doc. Onedio
Although Hedy Lamarr is best known as a Hollywood star, she also made significant contributions to the fields of technology and science, working on technology that would lay the foundation for the wireless communications systems we have today. His achievements in inventing were sadly underappreciated at the time due to his on-screen role as part of Hollywood’s Golden Age.
Even so, his discovery later received recognition. Hedy not only challenges stereotypes, but also shows that women can excel in various fields and she is an inspiration for women to pursue their interests in whatever industry they are in.
5. Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933-2020)
Ruth Bader Ginsburg/Photo: Doc. Oyez
After attending Harvard Law School and Columbia Law School, Ruth Bader Ginsburg later became the second female Supreme Court Justice in United States history. Being very interested in women’s rights, she presented six important cases regarding gender equality.
6. Michelle Yeoh (1962-Present)
Michelle Yeoh/Photo: Instagram.com/michelleyeoh_official
Michelle Yeoh has consistently demonstrated her capabilities as a talented female artist, from constantly performing her own acts to being recognized by the most prestigious awards bodies in the entertainment world at an age when most women are marginalized, and also paving the way for aspiring Asian talents in the film industry.
A vocal advocate for gender equality who is actively involved in philanthropic initiatives supporting women’s education and rights, Michelle was awarded the inaugural Share Her Journey Groundbreaker award from the Toronto International Film festival in 2022 in recognition of her positive impact on women around the world.
7. Malala Yousafzai (1997-Present)
Malala Yousafzai/Photo: Instagram.com/malala
From a young age, Malala Yousafzai has been a passionate activist in the field of women’s and children’s education. Growing up in Pakistan’s Swat Valley at a time when the Taliban banned girls from attending school, she began speaking publicly and later became a target for activism.
In 2012, an assassination attempt was made on Malala when she was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman. Rather than silencing Pakistan’s youth, she became a champion of the right to education and the following year founded the Malala Fund, which works to ensure girls have access to a safe, free and quality education for 12 years.
In 2014, he became the youngest Nobel laureate when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his fight for the right of every child to receive an education. Malala places special focus on the importance of education for girls and has inspired many to challenge social barriers and pursue education.
That’s a row of inspiring women who have had extraordinary influence in various world industries. They are an example for us women to dare to express themselves and not be afraid to do what we like.
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