*** Note: This blog was written by our former Director of Marketing Preston Simmons.

Women have changed their families, communities and the global society through their efforts that are centered around nurturing, educating, leading and much more. They have a natural ability to connect with other people and motivate those individuals to make lasting changes to their lives. Peace360 celebrates and recognized the accomplishments of women to serve others and improve themselves. Today we will talk about 7 women from every area of the world who have helped change their communities, countries and the global society.

1. North America – Margaret Atwood:

Author Margaret Atwood acted as a catalyst to change women’s literature and helped inspire women around the world to write stories of their own. Britannica.com explained that “Role reversal and new beginnings are recurrent themes in her novels, all of them centered on women seeking their relationship to the world and the individuals around them”.  These themes are very important because they empower women everywhere to introspectively think about how they can fit into their society and to nature, which will encourage them to be better global citizens. Additionally, on a personal level, the theme of Margaret’s literature of women relating to those around them helps women see how they can nurture their own personal relationships.

2. South America – Rigoberta Menchú:

Rigoberta was a social activist that helped change the lives of indigenous people in Guatemala, who were oppressed, persucuted and marginalized by the military government of the 1980s. Nobel Women’s Initiative reported that “She received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1992 in recognition of her work for social justice and ethno-cultural reconciliation based on respect for the rights of indigenous peoples”. Social justice activist has no shortage of issues and fortunately anyone can advocate for human rights, even in small ways if they are willing to dedicate their time. Rigoberta is living proof that one person truly can help make a difference in the lives of thousands of people by advocating for a specific cause.

3. Europe – Marie Curie:

Polish scientist Marie Curie aided in the development of one of the most important instruments that is used daily in the medical field. Biography.com said “Marie Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, in Physics, and with her later win, in Chemistry, she became the first person to claim Nobel honors twice. Her efforts with her husband Pierre led to the discovery of [the radioactive elements] polonium and radium, and she championed the development of X-rays.” Marie’s efforts to develop the technique of using X-rays to see broken bones changed the medical field forever and she is a living testament that the contributions of women in every career are needed by the world.

4. Africa – Miriam Makeba:  

Born in 1932, Renowned African singer Miriam Makeba entertained the world through her music, and bettered humanity through her volunteer work. According to UNESCO: “She founded the female quartet The Skylarks… Her records, 32 in total, achieved global success. In 1990, Nelson Mandela persuades [Miriam] to return to South Africa, where she spends her last days working with her two charitable foundations.” She introduced the world to African rhythms, lyrical themes and melodies by creating an all female musical group in a time period when women were still oppressed and showed to the world that taking risks despite what society tells you can provide great opportunities.

5. Asia – Sarojini Naidu:

Sarojini Naidu transformed the society of India through an impactful political career. Cultural India Cultural India writes “She became the second woman president of the Indian National Congress. She was the first woman Governor of an Indian state after independence”. Sarojini proved that women who wish to enter politics can be successful and can be a voice for the women of their nation. She was also a nationally renowned poet and one of her contemporaries by the name of Bappaditya Bandopadhyay said that she “inspired the Indian renaissance movement and had a mission to improve the life of Indian woman”. Her efforts to improve the life of Indian women can be seen in modern times. Her literature lets women know that their ideas need to be heard and that the world needs their creativity.

6. Australia – Jan Owen Am:

Jan has spent the past quarter century implementing initiatives to enable the youth of Australia to reach their potential to help make positive changes in their communities and the world. Australia India Youth Dialogue wrote that “Jan founded the CREATE Foundation, the national consumer body for children and young people in out of home care.” Out-of-home care is defined by Child Welfare Information Gateway “a court-monitored process that encompasses the placements and services provided to children and families when children are removed from their home due to abuse and/or neglect”. Jan’s work in this sector of social work has undoubtedly been invaluable for the many children that her program has aided so that they can enjoy a stable and healthy upbringing.

7. Pacific Islands – Serena Sumanop:

Serena Sumanop has assisted youth in her native country of Papua New Guinea with topics that most wouldn’t have worried about until adulthood. The YWCA YWCA stated “[Her partnership program called] The Voice focuses on empowering young people to give back to their communities [by]… helping them understand their own legal rights and work on leadership development with the partnering universities”. Being able to comprehensively understand one’s legal rights at such a young age is very advantageous because then the individual will be able to learn about additional legal topics when they are older that would impact them such as insurance rights, homeowner rights or taxpayer rights. Being able to learn leadership tactics from such a young age will give them the opportunity to work in future management roles if they so choose and to become effective leaders who can continue to facilitate change.

Each of these women have selflessly labored to use their talents and the abilities that they have learned to enhance the lives of women everywhere. We hope that you will take the time to invest in yourself regardless of your gender so that you can help other people in need and better yourself. Reflect upon the influence of women in your life and be sure to thank them for what they have done for you. All generations of women, past and present, provide the world with needed qualities that will support the every member of the human family in their journey of self-improvement.

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