International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate all of the amazing and inspiring women in this world. This year, the International Women’s Day organization is asking everyone to #BeBoldForChange, and join the fight for a more inclusive world. History has shown us anything is possible when people come together to create change. At Mobilize, we see our customers experience this daily.
In honor of International Women’s Day, we’ve curated a list of women mobilizers who have inspired us in our professional and personal lives—from women in history who have changed the course of politics, business mobilizers, to authors who have nurtured our creative minds.
Melinda Gates
Philanthropist and co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Words to Live By: “”Women speaking up for themselves and for those around them is the strongest force we have to change the world.”
Why She Inspires Us: Melinda, in addition to being an inspiring business woman, has dedicated her life to helping others. Melinda is constantly publicly speaking about helping others, and giving back to communities around the world.
Sheryl Sandberg
Chief Operating Officer at Facebook, author, and Founder of LeanIn.org.
Words to Live By:
“We can each define ambition and progress for ourselves. The goal is to work toward a world where expectations are not set by the stereotypes that hold us back, but by our personal passion, talents and interests.”
Why She Inspires Us: As a woman executive in tech, Sheryl created LeanIn to give women more resources, and a sense of community, to advance their careers. The LeanIn movement exists around the world today and continues to empower female leaders to follow their passions.
Michelle Obama
Lawyer, activist and former First Lady.
Words to Live By: “Success isn’t about how your life looks to others. It’s about how it feels to you. We realized that being successful isn’t about being impressive, it’s about being inspired. That’s what it means to be true to yourself.”
Why She Inspires Us: Michelle is a strong and inspiring woman who has always been brave enough to stand up for peace and justice. She continues to empower women to be their true selves all around the world.
JK Rowling
A British novelist, screenwriter and film producer—famous for the Harry Potter series—is an inspiring role model for dreamers and creative around the world.
Words to Live By: “We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better.”
Why She Inspires Us: “She is a symbol of hope and a fantastic role model. From humble beginnings to unimaginable success, she has created a worldwide phenomenon, inspired a new generation to read, and proven hard work pays off,” says Tiffany Tong, Customer Success Manager.
Senator Elizabeth Warren
As the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts, Sen. Warren has influenced multiple movements like Occupy Wall Street. Recently she made headlines when she persisted to fight for equality even when she was publicly silenced on the Senate floor.
Words to Live By:
“When you have no real power, go public – really public. The public is where the real power is.”
Why She Inspires Us: “Senator Elizabeth Warren is one of America’s most influential political leaders behind financial equality and protection for ordinary citizens. She’s a huge inspiration for Occupy Wall Street, which is a phenomenal movement in part because, while they may be inspired by leaders like Warren, the movement itself believes that all their members are leaders, not just followers,” says Michelle Salomon, Customer Success Director.
Susan B. Anthony
A pioneer of the women’s suffrage movement, organizer, speaker and author. Susan’s efforts to mobilize women around the country ultimately led to the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote in 1920.
Words to Live By: “It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the Union. And we formed it, not to give the blessings of liberty, but to secure them; not to the half of ourselves and the half of our posterity, but to the whole people – women as well as men.”
Why She Inspires Us: In a time when women had limited rights, she wasn’t afraid to voice her thoughts and opinions. Her work became the foundation and inspiration for movements happening around the world today promoting gender equality.
Rosa Parks
Known as The First Lady of Civil Rights, Rosa was a civil rights activist widely known for starting the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Words to Live By: “I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.”
Why She Inspires Us: Rosa’s tenacity and fearlessness in the Montgomery Bus Boycott is an inspiring example of what can be achieved through persistence and grace.
Indira GandhiThe first—and only—female Prime Minister of India from 1980-1984, Indira paved the way to democracy. In 1999, she was named “Woman of the Millennium” by BBC.
Words to Live By:
“The power to question is the basis of all human progress.”
Why She Inspires Us: Indira’s bravery is an inspiring reminder to never give up. Even when she knew her own government was plotting against her, she continued to fight for equality and freedom in India.
Angela Merkel
Angela Merkel is the current Chancellor of Germany. A former research scientist, Angela entered politics in 1989 and has been fighting for freedom and equality in the EU ever since.
Words to Live By: “Freedom is the very essence of our economy and society. Without freedom the human mind is prevented from unleashing its creative force. But what is also clear is that this freedom does not stand alone. It is freedom in responsibility and freedom to exercise responsibility.”
Why She Inspires Us: “A truly tough woman, pretty much single-handedly holding the EU together. She’s inspiring, compassionate, and welcoming to refugees,” Jesse Lehrman, Head of Sales Development.
Lauren Bush
Lauren is the CEO and co-founder of the FEED project which educates people about malnutrition and hunger around the world.
Words to Live By: “Life is short. Invest in yourself, your dreams, and in making the world a better place.”
Why She Inspires Us: Lauren has dedicated her life to end world hunger. She took inspiration from her travels around the world, and turned it into a fashion company to solve world hunger in a more tangible way.
Dolores Huerta
Known for her work as a civil rights activist and founder of National Farmworkers Association. Her advocacy work for workers’, immigrants’, and women’s rights, Dolores has inspired movements around the world. She also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Words to Live By: “Every moment is an organizing opportunity, every person a potential activist, every minute a chance to change the world.”
Why She Inspires Us: “Dolores is an inspiration because she’s dedicated her life to fighting economic injustice. She’s best known for co-founding the United Farm Workers (UFW) with Cesar Chavez, where her ability to mobilize people was critical to the success of the organization.Her focus on improving the lives of workers, immigrants and women make her a role model for so many – and she’s still a leader at 86 years old,” says Kim Wolf, Head of Demand Gen.
Tess Holliday
Tess is an American model, promoting body positivity to women around the world. Her honesty about her journey as a plus-size model in an industry where beauty standards are unrealistic has empowered many women, launching a viral #effyourbeautystandards movement.
Words to Live By:
“Never compare yourself to others and celebrate what makes you, you.”
Why She Inspires Us: “Tess encourages women to seize their raw beauty as-is and without concern for societies beauty norms. As a plus-size woman myself, she’s encouraged me to be more body positive, to support body-positive media and influencers, and to support programs that also teach body positivity,” says Shannon Sweetser, Community & Engagement Program Manager.
Who are the women that inspire you? Share with us in the comments section below.