19 most inspiring feminists in history

Mother of Mary Shelley (the writer of the world’s first science fiction novel and one of five women whose intelligence inspires generations) was one of the earliest supporters of women’s rights in history.

In her 1792 work A Vindication of the Rights of Woman she wrote that women of her generation only seem less smart than men because they don’t have access to the same education that men do. She also stated that the society should stop viewing women merely as ornaments or property to be traded in marriage and treat them as human beings deserving of the same fundamental rights as men.

Back in 1949, this woman wrote The Second Sex – the book that was so far ahead of its time it was banned by The Vatican and even called ‘pornography’ in some articles. What was the book about? The injustice of the patriarchy and social regulations faced by women daily. These days The Second Sex is often referred to as ‘the feminist Bible’.

Simone was a highly-educated, talented writer and philosopher. She attended the Sorbonne in France and was known for her friendship with Jean-Paul Sartre.

Her life and works were proof of her own life thesis – that ‘the basic options of an individual must be made on the premises of an equal vocation for man and woman founded on a common structure of their being, independent of their sexuality’.

The first women in the history of the White House to take on other responsibilities than just hosting and entertaining, Eleanor Roosevelt was working with the Women’s Trade Union League and the International Congress of Working Women even before becoming the First Lady. Her new position didn’t slow her down – from 1935 to 1962 she wrote a regular newspaper column on the topics deemed controversial in those days: women’s rights, equality and work opportunities.

After her time at the White House, Eleanor Roosevelt became the first US delegate to the United Nations, served as first chair of the UN Commission on Human Rights and also chaired JFK’s President’s Commission on the Status of Women.

If we had to choose one designer who revolutionised female fashion the most, that would certainly be Coco Chanel. She transformed restrictive and uncomfortable clothes into something every woman could finally enjoy wearing. She freed women from corsets, put them in trousers, borrowed pockets from men’s outfits and erased bustlines and waistlines in favour of more androgynous silhouettes.

Not to mention that she was such a smart businesswoman, her fashion house is still one of the most powerful and influential in the world.

There are many aspects of feminism and Marlene was an icon of liberating the fashion choices for women. She wore suits and trousers when it was still considered taboo for women. She was even almost arrested once in 1930s for sporting pants in public!

She defied the restrictive sexual norms of Hollywood with her powerful androgynous looks and by being openly bisexual in the 40s and 50s. ‘I am at heart a gentleman,’ she used to say about herself.

‘I dress for the image. Not for myself, not for the public, not for fashion, not for men.’

Journalism and social activist, Gloria Steinem is often called ‘the Mother of Feminism’. She co-founded the feminist-themed Ms. magazine and lead many female-focused groups like Women’s Action Alliance, National Women’s Political Caucus and others. In 2005, she started the Women’s Media Center with Jane Fonda and Robin Morgan.

But in the early stages of her career, in 1950s-1960s, Gloria found it difficult to venture outside the traditional ‘female’ topics of fashion and household. ‘When I suggested political stories to The New York Times Sunday Magazine, my editor just said something like, ‘I don’t think of you that way,’ she remembers.

Her public speech in 1969 to legalise abortion in New York State, when she shared the story of the abortion she had overseas when she was 22 years old, is considered to be a turning point of her career. The moment that started her active involvement into the women’s movement.  

Gloria Jean Watkins (pen name bell hooks) is an American writer and professor, known for her works on race, gender, capitalism and oppression. Her most famous books are Ain’t I A Woman? Black Women and Feminism and The Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center.

She was the one to start conversations on the importance of male involvement into feminism, saying that for change to occur, men must also do their part. She suggested switching from ‘a separationist ideology’ to ‘an incorporating camaraderie’, shifting the focus of feminism from victimisation to understanding, appreciation and tolerance for all genders and sexes.

‘Feminism is a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation and oppression.’

The legendary tennis player and the 39-time Grand Slam title champion is a well-known supporter of equal pay for women. She’s the founder of the Women’s Tennis Association and  the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative, a non-profit dedicated to promoting equality in the workplace.

According to Billie Jean, she first encountered inequality at the age of 12, when she was barred from a group photo of junior tennis players because she decided to wear tennis shorts instead of a traditional girl’s skirt.

Thanks to her efforts, in 1973 the U.S. Open became the first major tournament to offer equal prize money to both genders.

Known mostly for her marriage to Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta Scott King was in fact one of those strong women who are always standing behind strong men. Once asked whether Martin Luther King had to educate his wife on anti-war issues, he famously replied: ‘She educated me.’

She played a visible role in the women’s movement. To begin with, she helped found the National Organization for Women in 1966. She was also the first women to ever deliver a speech at Harvard’s Class Dai in 1968.

For over 40 years, she travelled the world speaking out on racial and economic justice, women’s rights, LGBTQI+ dignity, religious freedom, the needs of the poor and homeless and nuclear disarmament.

36 books, 7 autobiographies and over 50 honorary degrees is just a small part of Maya Angelou’s legacy.

Racial discrimination, segregation, male domination and woman’s place are the main topics of her literary works. By publishing I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings in 1969 Angelou became one of the first African-American women able to publicly discuss their personal lives, setting a precedent for other black writers and especially black female writers.

‘I am a feminist. I’ve been female for a long time now. I’d be stupid not to be on my own side.’

Only the second woman in history to ascend to the US Supreme Court, Ruth Ginsburg used her position to advocate for women’s rights.

Her active position was made obvious in the1970s, way before being appointed the Supreme Court justice, when she founded the Women’s Rights Law Reporter  – the first law magazine in the US to be focused entirely on women’s rights. Two years later, she also co-founded the Women’s Rights Project and the American Civil Liberties Union.

You can learn more about Ruth’s impact on women’s rights from the biopic On the Basis of Sex, starring Felicity Jones as Ginsburg, and the documentary RBG.

There is nothing that can stop this amazing trailblazer. The author of the legendary ‘Women’s rights are human rights’ speech is the only First Lady to ever run for public office, the first-ever female Senator from New York, the first female chair of the Legal Services Corporation and of course, the first-ever female candidate in the 2016 presidential election.

‘To all the little girls watching… never doubt that you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world.’

‘I never did consider or call myself a feminist, but I don’t think you can really be a woman in this world and not be.’

Oprah Winfrey doesn’t like to call herself a feminist. But all the work she does to inspire and champion women in The Oprah Winfrey Show speak better than words.

In 1998, she formed the public charity, Oprah’s Angel Network, to help underprivileged women and children rise to their potential.

In 2002, she started The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. ‘I wanted to create a ‘leadership academy’ because I feel strongly that women’s leadership can reshape the world,’ she says.

This fashion designer devoted her entire career to helping and empowering women.

Her DVF Awards recognise the incredible women who have made positive impacts through leadership, philanthropy and hard work and awards them with $50,000 to support their work.

Madonna is always at the forefront of sexism and ageism conversations.

Very early on in her career, she realised that women in music were never given the same freedom as men. Inspired by David Bowie’s play with gender norms, she was the first female musician to start doing the same. For many years, she has been pushing the limits and breaking barriers to motivate women all over the world to own their bodies and their sexuality, to be brave and confident.

At 62, she continues to dress as bold and sexy as she wants.

Tarana Burke was the one who started the #MeToo movement in 2006 – more than a decade before it went viral thanks to Hollywood celebrities joining in! The senior director of Girls for Gender Equity non-profit in Brooklyn had created Me Too – an activist group that was supposed to be a safe space for women to speak up, share their experiences and fight back. She never expected it to turn into a worldwide movement. A humble bumper sticker on somebody’s car to signal other sexual assault survivors in a traffic jam that they’re not alone, they’re seen and supported, was as big as she dared to dream.

Alyssa Milano used #MeToo in her Twitter post about Harvey Weinstein, most probably unaware of its origin, and that propelled Tarana’s idea into the stratosphere.

The youngest ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate’s memoir I Am Malala brought the fearless teenager fame and opportunity to speak up and fight for women’s and kids’ rights and equal education opportunities.

‘First we wanted men to do something for us, but that time has gone now, we’re not going to ask men to change the world. We are going to do it ourselves, we are going to stand up for ourselves, we’re going to raise our voices and we are going to change the world.’

The face and voice of today’s feminists, Emma Watson captured everyone’s attention with her moving speech on gender equality that launched the HeForShe movement in front of the United Nations in 2014.

She also started a feminist book club and has organised many events and conversations to raise awareness.

The only First Lady to have two Ivy League degrees, Michelle Obama is no less famous for her work than her husband.

Her Let Girls Learn initiative helps girls across the globe gain better access to education and her Girls Opportunity Alliance supports grassroots leaders working on girls’ education.

‘There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.’