Gen Z

Greta Thunberg 

Greta Thunberg, a climate activist, is most notable for raising awareness on climate change, which brought media recognition. In 2019, she became the youngest person to receive the Time Person of the Year award. She founded a movement known as FridaysForFuture, which has inspired many young people to be more involved in climate and environmental issues. She has become one of the most well-known climate activists, starting a global movement at just 14, Thunberg has advocated for change in environmental policies. Many young climate activists look up to Thunberg as an inspiration who started a climate movement. 

Jenna Ortega

Over the past years, Jenna Ortega has emerged as an influential figure among Gen Z. While the actress is known for her projects like “Wednesday” and “Scream VI”, she is also known for her activism and advocacy work. Ever since the start of her acting career, Ortega has increased representation in Hollywood as a Latina actress. She openly advocates for mental health awareness among young people and uses her platform as a voice for social change. Ortega speaks out about political discussions revolving around gun control, immigration, and climate change. She has continued to be a recurring role model that many young people look up to. 

Millennials

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest woman ever to serve in the United States Congress. She began representing New York’s 14th congressional district in 2019. She has a large social media presence, especially among young individuals. Cortez is most known for her progressive politics and community activism. She has used her platform to advocate for Medicare for all, the Green New Deal, and many other key issues. Many agree that Cortez represents the future of politicians and democratic policies. 

Emma Watson

Actor, Emma Watson, is best known for her role in Harry Potter as Hermione Granger, but she has always been an inspiring leader among many. Championing for women’s rights and gender equality Watson has grown to be influential. Through winning the hearts of many young individuals through her powerful speeches and activism. Also, Watson was appointed a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador which helped the HeForShe campaign that advocates for gender equality. She has inspired many people, especially younger generations, to take action against inequality and fight for more inclusivity in the world. 

Gen X

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie is an American actress who believes that women’s rights and justice should be prioritized when leaving an era of sexism and degradation of women. Jolie began working for the United Nations Refugee Agency in efforts to help people living in camps and less privileged areas. She has had a major influence on young women throughout the years as well, specifically through her motivational speeches and support for women who aren’t as fortunate as herself. “I’ve never understood why some people are lucky enough to be born with the chance that I had…and why across the world, there’s a woman just like me… only she sits in a refugee camp… and she has no voice,” she said at the 2013 Governors Awards. Angelina Jolie remains one of the most memorable feminists in this era because she uses her voice to rebel against sexism. 

Boomers

Oprah

Oprah Winfrey has been and continues to be one of the most influential women in society since the 1980s. Despite being sexually abused in her early childhood, Winfrey was able to completely turn her life around, creating the world-renowned Oprah Winfrey Show. After her grand success as a talk show host, author, and actress, Winfrey became worth nearly three billion dollars. She also founded The Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation, which has provided several countries with dozens of schools, as well as financial aid, and scholarships. She primarily focuses on supporting youth and women’s rights, through charity towards women’s shelters and fighting for the National Child Protection Act in 1993, which was renamed the “Oprah Bill”. Oprah Winfrey has dedicated several aspects of her career to bettering the world in any way she can.

Madonna

Madonna, ¨The Queen of Pop¨, has been involved in women’s rights since the beginning of her career, through her songs like Express Yourself and Material Girl. On top of being a world-renowned singer, she is also a businesswoman and actress. Despite Madonna’s various careers, she has prioritized gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights throughout her life, as it has lived on through her success. Her influence on women all over the world has not only boosted her career but has inspired people since the 1980s. Madonna is one of the most influential women in the music industry; she continues to inspire and persevere for the rights of women, minorities, and people within the LGBTQ+ community. 

What woman, famous or not, has had an influence on you and why?

Neha Adhikaram (9): “My old soccer coach [who] was a high schooler when she was coaching me and she inspired me to do so much. She found my love for soccer…”

Lauren Frohlich (12): “I would say my mom, she’s the biggest impact in my life because she’s the one who taught me all the life lessons and has been a huge force in shaping me, like as a person” 

Sam Parker (10): “My mom… she supports me and my mom’s my best friend.”

Cael Cunningham (11) : “I would say, probably Ingrid Backstrom, she’s a pro skier. She played a big role in the free ride team at Crystal. I think just that had a really big impact on Crystal, where I grew up skiing.