We have learned throughout history about people who have shaped the world we live in today. Over the years women have demonstrated qualities of empowerment. They went from taking orders to making them. The women in our history books, such as Rosa Parks, Millicent Fawcett, and Florence Nightingale, amongst other powerful individuals, have paved the way with their beliefs for the women leaders of today. Here are some of these women, and perhaps someday we will be added to a list of such caliber.
Sonia Sotomayor
"If your child marches to a different beat, a different drummer, you might just have to go along with that music. Help them achieve what's important to them."
Sotomayor has demonstrated that anything is possible if you work hard enough and believe in yourself. With her outspoken nature and her pride in her background, along with her discipline and constant hours of study she was able to accomplish and overcome obstacles to become the first Latina Supreme Court Justice in the United States.
Malala Yousafzai
"Some people only ask others to do something. I believe that, why should I wait for someone else? Why don't I take a step and move forward."
Age is but a number. This young woman in her early years demonstrated this indeed. She defied those who were in her way and demanded an education for young girls like herself, all by herself. Despite almost losing her life, Malala has continued to stand up for her beliefs and has become the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
Michelle Obama
"One of the lessons that I grew up with was to always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody else says distract you from your goals. And so when I hear about negative and false attacks, I really don't invest any energy in them, because I know who I am."
Of course we know her as the first lady of the United States, but she is more than just the wife of President Obama. Mrs. Obama has aided the homeless, stood up for the LGBT community, and acted on childhood obesity. She has overcome many obstacles and reached her goals, leading her to help others reach theirs.
Queen Rania of Jordan
"At the end of the day, the position is just a position, a title is just a title, and those things come and go, it's really your essence and your values that are important."
Rania Al-Abdullah is a powerful female voice in the Arab world. Her advocacy work in education and public health have earned her an iconic role in the world. She has stood up for women's rights and is an outspoken opponent of a brutal practice: the murder of women by members of their own family for perceived violations of Islamic moral code, known as "honor killings."
As women we often opt to compare our qualities to one another. The aforementioned women have proven along with those of earlier centuries, with their values and beliefs, that all these differences that make us unique can make a change in this world. Sotomayor, Yousafzai, Obama, and Abdullah have stood up and defied all stereotypes obtaining recognition and respect worldwide. Of course there are people who are opposed to what they stand for, but they have stood firm for themselves and for other women. We do not have to agree with one another, but as women who have fought for so long to gain recognition we must unite. If we do not support one another after fighting for our rights, who will?
