1. A complete list of all the women with world-shaking accomplishments would just be cocky.
So, to be humble, let’s just cover five role model-worthy women who are alive today:
Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai; author, comedian, and producer Ellen DeGeneres, who speaks as a voice for advancement within the LGBT community; Oprah (she doesn’t even need an introduction); 2009 Nobel Prize winner Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn; and, finally, mixed martial artist and Rolling Stone’s “Most Dangerous Woman” Ronda Rousey.
2. Girl on girl empowerment is a thing, and it rocks.
On campus, on television, on social media—okay, basically everywhere—girls are encouraging one another to divide and conquer. We recognize power within others because we see it in ourselves. Compliments aren’t just “Wow, you’re so pretty” anymore. Compliments are more like, “Slay 'em! Kill ‘em! Your intellect outshines the sun; I support your goals” nowadays.
3. Kind is the new cool.
Mean girls were super cool until Tina Fey wrote the screenplay of the millennium that exposed mean girls as vulnerable, fragile human beings that need love too. Now, we all know that it’s so much easier to be good to each other. The only exception is when we’re driving. The road is no place to make friends.
4. Being genuine is where it’s at.
Being genuine is synonymous with being confident. Fake smiles and uncomfortable laughs are ancient history because we’re not afraid to be authentic and straightforward. If we don’t get along, as confident women, we're not going to pretend we love each other and converse when we randomly cross paths. We will be cordial about the awkwardness, but that’s about it, sister.
5. In school, girls are killin' it.
It’s not a competition, it’s a fact backed by social science. According to a new analysis published by the American Psychological Association, girls have made higher grades than boys in school for nearly a century. There’s nothing more impressive during a lecture than killing a professor’s question with unmatched wit—and at NAU, for example, young women can be witnessed doing this all of the time.
6. We’re all about doing our own thing independently.
Typical conversations that can now be heard within bathrooms: You study physics? RIGHT ON! You study fashion? HELL YEAH, DO YOU! Girl, you like makeup? Sweet. You prefer to go au naturel? Hot! No one has to be like anyone else or live up to the same standard. We do our own thing and we do it proudly.7. Campaigns are inspiring strength, confidence and working hard.
Right now, female empowerment is everywhere. Brands are taking initiatives not just for business, but for the women they serve. Always’s “Like a Girl” , Dove’s Choose Beautiful, and Pantene's Not Sorry #ShineStrong are just a few positive examples of big business making outstanding changes within mass communication. I applaud you, corporate America. You're doing something very right.
