Here's a list of women who have changed my world, and are inspiring me to go out and make a little history of my own.
Susan B. Anthony
I would be remiss if I did not include the woman who played such a pivotal role in women's suffrage, a woman who gave me the ability to vote for women who are now making a difference in our government.
"There shall never be another season of silence until women have the same rights men have on this green earth."
Elizabeth Blackwell
The first to earn a medical degree in the United States, Elizabeth Blackwell proved that women deserved the opportunity for higher education.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
The Notorious R.B.G., this amazing woman has been a champion for the advancement of gender equality and women's rights. She is a reminder to challenge the status quo.
"Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.
Malala Yousafzai
At 21, Malala and I are the same age. She is an advocate for education and human rights and is the youngest Nobel Peace laureate. She survived a gunshot wound from a gunman who targeted her for her activism. She is a reminder that women everywhere do not have the same access to education and basic human rights that I have; Malala reminds me of the Audre Lorde quote "I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own." Malala's legacy is that no one is ever too young to make a difference.
"We realize the importance of our voices only when we are silenced."
Rosie the Riveter
Not one woman in particular, yet Rosie the Riveter stood for everything that women during World War II stood for: courage, strength, and determination, as so many women entered the workforce in unprecedented numbers, in industries that had previously been dominated by men.
"We can do it."
Aly Raisman
An incredible gymnast, sexual assault survivor, Aerie REAL model, author, and a leader, there are so so many reasons that Aly makes this list. But perhaps it is her courage, inner beauty, ferocity, and her fight to hold people accountable (whether it be Larry Nassar or U.S.A. Gymnastics) that makes her such an inspiration.
"I am no longer a victim. I am a survivor."
Jane Austen
Austen proved that words have power and that the female voice need not be silenced. In many ways, the words she wrote centuries ago have more meaning now than ever. Austen is a reminder that a heroine does not need to be silent, submissive, and relenting to social duty, but rather, may have a voice and opinion of her very own.
"Give a girl an education and introduce her properly into the world, and ten to one but she has the means of settling well, without further expense to anybody."
Serena Williams
Serena Williams often finds her place on lists of top athletes in the world, but it is her ability to overcome criticism of her physique and even more laughably her attire on the tennis court that gives her a place on this list. After catsuits were banned at the French Open, Williams donned a tutu for the U.S. Open and won. Williams proves that you can make a powerful statement without ever even opening your mouth, and that strength and femininity are not mutually exclusive. The success of every woman should be the inspiration to another.
"We should raise each other up. Make sure you're very courageous: be strong, be extremely kind, and above all be humble."
Oprah Winfrey
The first woman to own her own talk show, Oprah is an example that women make a difference when they speak up and shut down the opinions of anyone who has ever said that women talk too much.
"The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams."
Kathrine Switzer
The first woman to run as a numbered entrant in the Boston Marathon, five years before women were officially allowed to do so. As she was running, a man tried to forcibly remove her from the race. She finished anyways (and she ran it again in 2017).
"Life is for participating, not for spectating."
Rosa Parks
Not just one of the most influential women in history, but rather one of the most impactful individuals, Parks took a stand for something she thought was wrong — and decades later inspires many to stand up for what they believe in.
"You must never be fearful of what you are doing when it is right."
Ellen DeGeneres
If anyone is proof that a little positivity can change the world, Ellen is. She continues to remind us what a loving place the world has the potential to be.
"We need more kindness, more compassion, more joy, more laughter. I definitely want to contribute to that."
J.K. Rowling
J.K. Rowling has given the world a belief in magic, and the conviction that even if someone tells you no, that doesn't mean you won't try again, and better yet, that doesn't mean you won't succeed.
"Anything's possible if you've got enough nerve."
Gal Gadot
As Wonder Woman, Gal Gadot has become a symbol of equality and female empowerment, showing girls that they too could be superheroes. Oh and in addition to acting she served two years in the Israel Defense Forces as a combat instructor, and she studied law and international relations at IDC Herzliva college
"I think women are amazing for being able to show what they feel. I admire women who do. I think it's a mistake when women cover their emotions to look tough. I say let's own who we are and use it as a strength."
My mother, sister, cousins, aunts, friends, classmates, teachers, and every woman who had made a personal impact on my life
These women have changed my world, just as much as every other woman on this list.
Here's To Simone Biles, Olympic Champion, Survivor Of Sexual Assault And All-Around Amazing Woman
Coming forward took great strength for all of the gymnasts involved. Oftentimes, they are seen as indomitable simply because of their sheer power and strength.
Simone Biles has been a household name in the gymnastics world since 2013. She has racked up an insane amount of awards, earning the titles of three-time world all-around champion (2013–15), three-time world floor champion (2013–15), two-time world balance beam champion (2014, 2015), and, most recently, five-time United States national all-around champion (2013–16, 2018). On the 19th, Biles became the first gymnast ever to win five U.S. all-around titles, after she won every event in the U.S. Gymnastics Championships. This feat, alone, is impressive, but it is even more amazing taking into account that Biles took a two-year hiatus after the Rio Olympics.
Biles is often applauded for her poise, power, and grace out on the floor. But it is the fierceness and humility that she embodies in her work and everyday life that makes her so admirable. In 2017, Larry Nassar — former USA gymnastics team doctor — was convicted of child pornography charges and seven counts of sexual assault of minors... one of those minors being Simone Biles. Aly Raisman was the first gymnast to come forward about the sexual abuse that occurred, with members Maggie Nicols and Mckayla Maroney following closely behind (Biles and Gabby Douglas came forward later). The gymnastics sex abuse scandal rocked the nation, revealing a tightly-kept and dark secret within the industry.
Coming forward took great strength for all of the gymnasts involved. Oftentimes, they are seen as indomitable simply because of their sheer power and strength. Being able to push their bodies to almost superhuman limits falsely conveys the notion that they are invulnerable. But all women and men are at risk and can be targeted at any time, an important point to make in a world that is overwhelmingly consumed in rape culture.
Biles is an amazing role model for girls growing up in this generation. Aside from being a bad-ass gymnast, she shows young girls that there is a multitude of ways to achieve success and fulfillment. Social media has skewed the idea of what it means to be an influencer or to be famous. So many people are obsessed with attention and validation that they go about getting them in the wrong manner. "Trolling," aka deliberately making offensive posts or doing offensive things, has become popular by internet personalities like Boonk Gang, Woah Vicky, and Logan Paul, while young girls idolize Youtubers and Instagram models who are little known for anything other than being pretty or starting drama (Simplynessa15, Chandler Alexis, Tana Mongeau, etc.). Biles shows girls that hard work is rewarding and that they can be successful doing things they love, not things meant to shallowly draw attention.
Not only that, but Biles, and every other female gymnast, challenge traditional beauty standards and the narrative of what it means to be beautiful or feminine. Today's society is obsessed with being "thicc," which is unrealistic and impossible for many women. Biles shows girls what an actual healthy body looks like. We claim to be obsessed with fitness and being in shape, but oftentimes we worry so much about getting a bigger butt or bigger boobs that we don't place any importance on living an actual healthy lifestyle.
Even worse, we narrow-mindedly believe that large muscles are signs of masculinity. Not only that, but we kill ourselves trying to always be perfect: we need the perfect hair, makeup, outfit, selfie, etc., simply because we think anything less than perfection is not worthy. Among many other well-known girls her age, Biles is one of the few that posts pictures with messy hair, basic outfits, and subpar lighting. She isn't concerned with being perfect because she's unapologetically herself and she knows that's worth enough.
No, Simone Biles is not "thicc," nor does she always look like a perfectly polished model. But she is still unbelievably athletic, thriving, and beautiful inside and out... something that girls need to be constantly reminded of. Fulfilling beauty standards is not the only way for you to be seen or validated, and it is not a determinant of your worth.
Female gymnasts have been breaking barriers and inspiring others for years, and Simone Biles is no exception. Now, more than ever, we need more women who are strong, full of integrity, and unapologetically themselves.