DEI Special Edition: Celebrating Women’s History Month
We're very happy to be celebrating Women's History Month: A Global Celebration of Women's Achievements, and a time to Reflect and Inspire!
March is Women's History Month, a time when we come together to honor and recognize the achievements and contributions of women from around the world. This year, the Melton Foundation joins the global celebration under the theme "Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to be Silenced," paying tribute to the courageous women who fought for suffrage and the right to vote in their countries.
As a global organization with members in Ghana, China, the United States, Germany, India, Chile, and beyond, we want to take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate the inspiring women in the regions where the Melton Foundation network thrives.
In Ghana, we celebrate women like Nana Yaa Asantewaa, a leader of the Ashanti resistance against British colonialism, and Theodosia Salome Okoh, a Ghanaian teacher and artist known for designing Ghana’s national flag in 1957. These women serve as an inspiration for their unwavering determination and their commitment to making a positive impact in their communities.
China is home to many incredible women, including Wang Zhenyi, a scientist from the Qing dynasty. Wang Zhenyi broke free from the feudal customs of her time that hindered women’s rights by educating herself in subjects such as astronomy, mathematics, geography, and medicine. Another notable figure is Zhang Xin, a real estate businesswoman and philanthropist. These women have shattered barriers and achieved great success in their fields, setting an example for women everywhere.
The United States is home to countless inspiring women, including Susan B. Anthony, a suffragist and abolitionist who played a crucial role in the fight for women’s rights, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a trailblazing Supreme Court Justice who dedicated her career to advocating for gender equality and women’s rights.
Germany has a rich history of influential women, such as Hildegard of Bingen, a medieval nun who was a visionary, physician, poet, and scientist, and Angela Merkel, the first female chancellor of Germany. These women have made lasting impacts on their country and the world, serving as inspirations for generations to come.
In India, we find many inspiring women, including Sarojini Naidu, an Indian political activist and poet fondly remembered as the ‘Nightingale of India,’ who played a pivotal role in India’s struggle for independence. We also celebrate Indira Gandhi, India’s first female prime minister, whose leadership left a significant impact on the nation. These women have set examples of courage, determination, and selflessness for generations to come.
Chile has produced many amazing women, including Gabriela Mistral, the first Latin American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, and Michelle Bachelet, the first female president of Chile. These women have made a significant impact on their country and the world, and their passion and dedication continue to inspire us.
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- Merkel was the first female chancellor of Germany. During her chancellorship, Merkel was frequently referred to as the de facto leader of the European Union (EU) and the most powerful woman in the world. Beginning in 2016, she was often described as the leader of the free world.
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- Chilean poet and Nobel prize-winner Gabriela Mistral during a press conference in London, 19th February 1946. (Photo by Eric Harlow/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
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- Hildegard of Bingen, also known as Saint Hildegard and the Sibyl of the Rhine, was a German Benedictine abbess and polymath active as a writer, composer, philosopher, mystic, visionary, and as a medical writer and practitioner during the High Middle Ages.
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- Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India, visiting Austria. Hotel Imperial in Vienna. 1983. Photograph by Nora Schuster. (Photo by Nora Schuster/Imagno/Getty Images) Die Premierministerin Indiens Indira Gandhi zu Besuch in Wien. Hotel Imperial. 1983. Photographie von Nora Schuster.
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- Verónica Michelle Bachelet Jeria is a Chilean politician who served as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2018 to 2022. She previously served as President of Chile from 2006 to 2010 and from 2014 to 2018 for the Socialist Party of Chile. She is the first woman to hold the Chilean presidency.
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- Yaa Asantewaa I was the Queen Mother of Ejisu in the Ashanti Empire, now part of modern-day Ghana. She was appointed by her brother Nana Akwasi Afrane Okese, the Edwesuhene, or ruler, of Edwesu.
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- Joan Ruth Bader Ginsburg was an American lawyer and jurist who served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1993 until her death in 2020. She was nominated by President Bill Clinton to replace retiring justice Byron White, and at the time was viewed as a moderate consensus-builder.
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- Sarojini Naidu was an Indian political activist and poet. She was the former Governor of Uttar Pradesh. A proponent of civil rights, women’s emancipation, and anti-imperialism, she played an important role in the Indian independence movement against the British Raj.
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- Susan B. (Susan Brownell) Anthony, 1820-1906, between 1900 and 1906. Photograph shows Susan B. Anthony, half-length portrait, seated, turned to the left, facing front, with hands on lap. [American social reformer and women’s rights activist]. Artist Frances Benjamin Johnston. (Photo by Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images)
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- Theodosia Salome Okoh was a Ghanaian teacher and artist known for designing Ghana’s national flag in 1957. She exhibited her artwork internationally. She also played a leading role in the development of hockey in Ghana.
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- Wang Zhenyi was a Chinese scientist from the Qing dynasty. She breached the feudal customs of the time, which hindered women’s rights, by working to educate herself in subjects such as astronomy, mathematics, geography, and medicine. She was well known for her contributions in astronomy, mathematics, and poetry.
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- Zhang Xin is a Chinese billionaire businesswoman, having primarily earned her fortune in the real estate industry. With her husband Pan Shiyi, she is the co-founder and former CEO of SOHO China, a Chinese office building developer.
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, let us draw inspiration from these incredible women and countless others who have made a difference in our world. Their courage, determination, and resilience remind us that each of us has the power to make a positive impact, regardless of where we come from.
The Melton Foundation believes in empowering women and promoting gender equality worldwide. Our network consists of passionate individuals working towards creating a more inclusive and equitable future. To commemorate Women’s History Month, we’d like to share some perspectives from Melton Fellows on women’s empowerment and celebrate the remarkable women in our network and beyond.
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Clara Forbuzo and Marissa Pittman, Melton Fellows, discuss the meaning of holistic female empowerment, emphasizing the importance of supporting women in all aspects of their lives. You can catch their insightful conversation here.
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Margaret Afolake and Ranjini Rao HS, Melton Fellow, share their inspiration behind building Women Work Wonders, an inclusive grassroots-level offline professional networking platform for women, in a fascinating MF Podcast. Get inspired by their journey and tune into this MF Podcast!
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Lindiwe Mutungamiri, a Melton Fellow, is joined by Oxfam in Ghana’s Gender Justice Advisor, Keita Rose-Tahiru, to discuss building a world without gender violence. Their engaging conversation sheds light on the urgent need for gender justice. Tune in Here!
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Shravani Vangur from India and Bakiye Icik from Germany, both Melton Fellows, have an intriguing podcast that delves into the expectations versus the reality of a woman’s life. Their discussions shed light on the challenges faced by women and the importance of redefining societal norms. Take a listen here.
Lastly, we invite you to watch our Women’s Day Video, featuring the incredible women of our Melton Foundation network. This video celebrates their accomplishments, resilience, and unwavering spirit. Catch a glimpse of their inspiring stories!
As we mark International Women’s Day, let us recognize and celebrate the achievements of women worldwide. Let their stories and contributions continue to inspire us, reminding us of the importance of fostering a world that values and empowers women. Together, we can create a future that is inclusive, equitable, and truly celebrates the potential of every individual.
Happy International Women’s Day!
