On the occasion of International Women's day 2014 , we have compiled a list of 10 women who have influenced our lives one way or another along this year. Let us give thanks to these amazing role models!
Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai is a young Pakistani who managed to find her way into becoming one of the 100 most influential people in the world at the age of 16. Yousafzai is one of the world’s most ferocious activists in the fields of education and women’s rights even after her attempted assassination by the order of Taliban. The young woman went through a difficult recovery from three bullets fired directly at her by members of the Taliban and managed to shake the world with two consecutive Nobel Prize nominations!
Manal Al-Sharif
Manal Al-Sharif is a Saudi activist who was the first to launch a “women’s right to drive” campaign by filming herself driving. The footage was posted on social media platforms and resulted in her detention and arrest as she broke a Saudi law by driving. Al-Sharif was released on bail in the condition of never driving or talking to the media about it. Despite the accusations and her arrest, Manal kept voicing out her opinions and fighting for her rights.
Khouloud Soukariyeh
Khouloud Soukariyeh is a Lebanese woman who made history by defying the odds by getting a civil marriage in her home county Lebanon. Soukkariyeh and her husband Nidal Darwish fought a ferocious legal battle and won giving hope to thousands of Lebanese couples. Khouloud is an example of strength and determination.
Fairuz :
Nouhad Haddad otherwise known as Fairuz is in no need of introductions. Her enchanting voice and music are the loyal companions of our morning and a pillar of our culture. Fairuz is known all over the world as “The Ambassador of the Stars” , “Neighbor to the Moon” and the “Jewel of Lebanon” who still inspires artists, sculptures and painters. She will forever be a female icon and a symbol of beauty and hope.
Lupita Nyong’o
Lupita Nyong’o was born on the 1st of March 1983. Her parents are originally from Kenya but she was born in Mexico. The actress’s breakout role as Patsey, a brutally abused plantation worker in “12 Years a Slave”, has earned her an Oscar for her first feature film. Lupita is a great inspiration to women reminding them that beauty comes in many shapes and forms. While accepting her Oscar she states “When I look down at this golden statue, may it remind me and every little child that no matter where you’re from, your dreams are valid”.
Angelina Jolie
“I want to be outspoken. I want to say my opinions and I hope they’re taken in the right way. I don’t want to stop being free. And I won’t.”
A star of stage and screen, Angelina Jolie is perhaps most influential in her role as a UN High Commissioner for Refugees Good will Ambassador, advocating on behalf of refugees around the world from Syria to Kosovo. Angelina is an example of using the influence one has gained through Hollywood to draw attention to the needs of those in less-fortunate circumstances. While others may talk about world issues, Angelina puts rubber to the road.
Genesis Carmona
“I will fight for freedom and justice no matter what”
Genesis Carmona was famous in her country for being a beauty queen. She was crowned Miss Turismo Carabobo last year at the age of 21. She competed for the title of Miss Turismo Venezuela among 25 other gorgeous women. Carmona who was a political and social activist was shot in the head by the Venezuelan forces as a result of the anti-government protests held Feb. 18.
Dilma Roussef
“I hope the fathers and mothers of little girls will look at them and say 'yes, women can.”
Dilma Roussef is driven by these factors her immigrant heritage, youthful activism and militancy and the challenges faced by women as they try to grow in a world dominated by men. She is one of the most influential women because she did not only become the first female president of Brezil but she still fights daily to end social inequality which she considers the greatest problem facing our countries
Layla Yaacoub
“Which one of you will let your daughter’s killer roam free? Not me, I will fight for justice”
Her daughter Roula Yaacoub was found comatose at her home in Halba, Akkar, last July, and later died upon arrival at the local hospital. Some of Yaacoub’s relatives and neighbors have maintained that her husband beat his wife and their five daughters on a regular basis, and have been campaigning since her death to have him charged with murder. Her mother is doing everything she can and teaming up with Kafa while personally going to the ministry of Justice on a daily basis to bring her daughter’s killer to justice and hopefully save other women from the same horrific fate.
Jackie Chamoun:
Jackie Chamoun is a Lebanese Olympic Skier recently known for her “Strip for Jackie” campaign. Born on the 21st of October 1991, the alpine skier made it to the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games, but it is not until pictures of semi-naked Chamoun surfaced the web that a revolution began. A social media campaign using the Hash tag #StripForJackie, was launched in support of the young skier who got the entire Lebanese community Stripping naked all over social media platforms!
Disclaimer : This list does not reflect in any way the views of LBCI, but was compiled the editors of LBCI Magazine