It's Women's History Month, the time of year when we celebrate the badass and nasty women of history that were willing to break the rules in the name of equality. These feminists broke boundaries and showed that women's rights are human rights. Whether they worked in the STEM fields, politics, the arts, or just did what they could to help women and minorities, these women helped raise awareness for gender equality and fight for women to be considered equal to men in all fields.
These twelve are just a drop in the bucket compared to all of the nasty women out there fighting for our rights.
1. Marie Curie
Heard of the element Curium? It comes from this woman. She was the first woman to receive a Nobel Prize, as well as the first woman to receive this award twice. Her work in the physical and chemical field pioneered research in radioactivity. She even died doing what she loved.
2. Malala Yousafzai
Malala was a young girl living in Pakistan who was shot in the face by the Taliban. She has since become an activist for female education and has won the Nobel Peace Prize. She had the confidence to stand up to her patriarchal society and fight for what is right. Her book, I Am Malala, has changed my life.
3. Amelia Earhart
Amelia Earhart was the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. She entered the boys club that is the aviation community and placed a pretty big crack in the glass ceiling.
4. Susan B. Anthony
I don't even need to explain who this woman is and why she is so important. Susan B. Anthony is truly an inspiration to women all over the United States.
5. Margaret Sanger
Margaret Sanger was the founder of Planned Parenthood. This institution has been such a helpful resource for women everywhere for so many years. Without this woman, girls wouldn't have access to family planning options, cancer screening, or STD testing. Sanger is one of the original nasty women.
6. Jane Addams
What didn't this woman do? Between founding the first settlement house and co-founding the ACLU, she is the poster child for equal rights.
7. Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Despite being 83 years old, Ruth Bader Ginsburg isn't afraid to tell is like it is. She is an outspoken Supreme Court Justice who will always speak her mind. Many think that the notorious RBG is too outspoken, but there's no such thing. Try not to get Ginsburned.
8. Angela Merkel
Angela Merkel is the current chancellor of Germany. She has her doctorate in physical chemistry and has continually fought for economic equality in the European Union. She is the first female chancellor of Germany and the second female President of the European Union. She has shown that women can enter the boys club and dominate.
9. Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou is a poet and a civil rights activist. Her memoirs and poems have shown how she came from an unfortunate childhood and grew up to be a strong and successful woman. She also continues to fights for equal rights for everyone.
10. Meryl Streep
In addition to being an amazing actress, Meryl Streep has also asserted herself as a profound philanthropist. Recently, she was honored with the Cecil B. Demille award and used her acceptance speech to speak out against the horrible behavior of our current president. Think she's overrated? I don't.
11. Elizabeth Warren
About a month ago, Elizabeth Warren was silenced in the Senate for reading a letter condemning the actions of Jeff Sessions, the current Attorney General. Since then, she has refused to be silent and even released the letter to the public. She represents all women and all minorities who refuse to be invisible.
12. Carrie Fisher
This is the first nasty woman I was introduced to as a child. Her role as Princess Leia showed me that women and girls can rescue themselves and don't need a man to survive. Throughout her life, Carrie Fisher showed how strong of a woman she was, and openly spoke about her struggles with bipolar disorder and drug use. Her death is truly a loss to the feminist community.
This month, I challenge you to cherish the nasty women in your life and continue to fight for equal rights. Her voice is my voice.
