5 Women of Color Changing the Way We See the World

Wangari Maathai’s work was much deeper than just planting trees. The Kenyan ecologist was a biologist and the first Eastern African women to earn a doctorate degree. She heralded the Green Belt movement, dedicated to planting trees to preserve Kenyan resources and fight deforestation. In 2004, she became the first African to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. More than 30 million trees have been planted thanks to Wangari and has provided opportunities for close to a million women on the continent. The tree that became the forest. Learn more about her legacy here.

Vandana is a badass scholar, activist, food sovereignty activist and author of twenty books dedicated to alter-globalisation. She understands how the major issues of health, sustainability, women's rights and social justice all intersect and advocates for a better society and money doesn't dictate all policies and decisions. She's been called “a one-woman movement for peace, sustainability, and social justice.”  One of our favorite quotes from Vandana: “Women, with their caring and sharing, will be the teachers of how to be human in the future”. See more here. 

She may only be 18, but Emma Gonzales has the courage of a seasoned revolutionary. Her passionate speech demanding gun control reform has gone around the globe and made her the face and voice of one the most important social movements in America. Her outspokenness and the relentless fight has landed her spots on Ellen and the cover of Vogue and but she's not letting the overnight fame get to her head.  “All of these people are getting paid to do nothing about guns, and we as a people are doing nothing in response, so that’s our fault. It’s the people’s fault for not doing something.” The young women is showing an extraordinary level of leadership and we're with her.

Using Hollywood as a platform for activism isn’t a new phenomenon, but there’s something about the way Amandla Stenberg does it that makes you want to stop and pay attention. Even though the young actress is a minority, Amandla, as a biracial woman, understands the notions of colorism and privilege. She recently revealed that she declined a role in blockbuster Black Panther because she believed she wasn't the right fit, as opposed to women of darker complexion.  “I think we’re at a very interesting and pivotal point in Hollywood,” she told Vogue. “People are getting tired of the same material; they want to see black girls as leads in movies.” Representation matters indeed.

Adwoa Aboah’s trajectory as one of the industry’s most sought-after models doesn’t come from her privileged background (her mother Camilla Lowther runs one of fashion’s most influential creative agencies). Rather, she's where she is because of her authenticity. The British model is an open book who has put her inner demons on display, sharing her stories of drug addiction and depression with the world, and ultimately, becoming a living a testament of what one can become if they have the willpower to change. Vulnerable yet powerful, the Vogue Model of the Year has created a safe space for young women via Gurls Talk, an online community to discuss things that matters to women without any taboos, from mental health to sex. “All these women were sharing the most intimate details of their lives. . . From their relationships with their husbands to their exhaustion with their children, their sex lives… All the things one might feel too ashamed to talk about in front of men, or even in front of each other. But there was no competition, no judgment, no shame." If that's not support and empowerement, we don't know what is. 

At only 8 years old, Bana Alabed is showing the world that you’re never too young to make an impact. The Syrian refugee and peace activist published her book 'Dear World: A Syrian Girl's Story of War and Plea for Peace' in October 2017. While kids her age are playing and just being kids, Bana (with the help of mom) is using social media to bring much needed attention to the human tragedy happening in Syria and the world is taking notice. The brave little fighter made an appearance at the 2018 Oscars alongside the rapper Common; this was a pivotal moment in her journey, but she’s only just getting started. No more war.