Celebrating International Women's Day

International Women's Day: Celebrating Trailblazing Women from History

International Women's Day is a day to celebrate the incredible achievements of women around the world, both past and present. It's a day to honour the women who have shattered glass ceilings, broken down barriers, and paved the way for generations of women to come. From the suffragettes who fought for the right to vote to the countless women who have made their mark in every field imaginable, women have made incredible strides and continue to do so every day.

This International Women's Day, we're taking a look back at some of the trailblazing women from history who have inspired us with their strength, resilience, and determination.

1. Malala Yousafzai: This Pakistani activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate is a leading advocate for girls' education. In 2012, at the age of just 15, she survived a gunshot to the head from the Taliban for speaking out about the importance of education for girls. She has since become a global icon for education and women's rights, and continues to inspire millions around the world.
2. Maya Angelou: An American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist, Maya Angelou was a powerful voice for Black women and in fact all women. Her most famous work, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," is a powerful autobiography that explores themes of racism, sexism, and trauma. Angelou's writing and activism inspired countless women to speak their truth and fight for their rights.
3. Ruth Bader Ginsburg: As a lawyer, jurist, and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a trailblazer for gender equality. She fought tirelessly for women's rights throughout her career, arguing several landmark cases before the Supreme Court. She was the second woman to serve on the Supreme Court and was known for her fierce intellect, tenacity, and dedication to justice.
4. Harriet Tubman: This American abolitionist and political activist was born into slavery but escaped and later helped others to escape through the Underground Railroad. She went on to become a leading advocate for women's suffrage and worked as a nurse, cook, and spy for the Union Army during the Civil War. Tubman's courage and resilience in the face of incredible adversity continue to inspire women around the world.
5. Ada Lovelace: As a mathematician and writer, Ada Lovelace is often credited with being the world's first computer programmer. She worked with Charles Babbage on his Analytical Engine, a mechanical general-purpose computer, and wrote the first algorithm intended to be processed by a machine. Her visionary work helped pave the way for modern computing and inspired countless women to pursue careers in science and technology.
6. Queen Victoria: Queen Victoria was the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 1837 to 1901. She was the longest-reigning British monarch until Queen Elizabeth II surpassed her record in 2015. Queen Victoria was a powerful figure in British history and a leading advocate for women's rights, including the right to education and the right to vote.
7. Queen Elizabeth II: Queen Elizabeth II was the longest reigning monarch in the United Kingdom. She reigned from 1952 to 2022 and is the longest-reigning monarch in British history. Throughout her reign, Queen Elizabeth II was a powerful advocate for women's rights and has worked tirelessly to promote equality and social justice.
8. Marie Curie: Marie Curie was a Polish-born physicist and chemist who conducted pioneering research on radioactivity. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize for Physics shared with her husband and again for Chemistry in recognition of her work in radioactivity.

Who is an inspirational woman to you?