International Women's Day: 8 women who defined the last year
Who would you add to the list?
We believe in the power of role models, and our #DisruptYourFeed research proved that following them can boost the self-belief of girls and even transform their career trajectory.
For International Women’s Day, meet the extraordinary women whose courage, strength and determination have defined the past year.
Whether breaking barriers in space, speaking out to lift the shame felt by rape survivors, or inspiring millions through sport, these women have left a lasting mark on the world.
Who would you add to the list? Comment below to let us know.
Gisèle Pelicot
Gisèle Pelicot redefined courage in 2024. After discovering that her husband had drugged her and allowed strangers to abuse her over nearly a decade, she made the unusual choice to waive her anonymity and take control of her story. Her unwavering strength not only led to the conviction of 50 men, including her now ex-husband, but also forced France to confront its laws on rape and consent. Her public trial ignited a feminist movement across France and beyond, inspiring protests, murals, and thousands who marched in her name.
Sunita Williams
NASA astronaut Sunita Williams set off on 5th June 2024, expecting to spend just eight days aboard the International Space Station. Instead, technical issues extended her mission to over eight months. Now, Williams faces the hazards of extended space travel, including muscle and bone loss, and vision problems. Despite the unexpected delay and months away from family, friends, and earth the former Navy pilot has met the challenge with determination and optimism. Williams is making every moment 408km above Earth count, making significant contributions to the ongoing work aboard the ISS. Even amid uncertainty, Williams remains upbeat, calling the ISS her “happy place.” Before she left, she said: “I don't feel like a hero - just another person involved in the space business. I'm hoping to encourage young folks to become explorers”.
Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke
Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke is making history for Māori people in New Zealand, becoming the youngest Māori woman ever elected to its parliament. In November 2024, she led a powerful haka in Parliament, tearing up the legislation to protest a bill that she felt could undermine Māori rights. The moment went viral worldwide and reignited a national debate on Indigenous sovereignty. Her actions helped spark one of the largest Māori rights demonstrations in recent history, when a 1,000km hīkoi (march) saw over 35,000 people gather in Wellington.
Ilona Maher
Ilona Maher is a powerhouse on and off the pitch. She led the U.S. women’s rugby sevens team to a historic bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, then went on to break records with her debut in England’s Premiership Women’s Rugby league, where her fanbase was so large that Bristol Bears had to move stadiums to accommodate the crowds. She is using her platform to challenge beauty standards and empower women to embrace their strength. Her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover challenged outdated perceptions of femininity, while her appearance on Dancing with the Stars — where she became the first female partner to lift her male partner — reaffirmed that strength and grace can coexist.
Sylvia Kang
Sylvia Kang, the CEO and co-founder of Mira, is revolutionising women’s health by making hormone tracking more accessible and empowering women to take control of their reproductive health. Her latest innovation, the Menopause Transitions Kit, is providing women with deeper insights into their bodies, eliminating the need for invasive blood tests and expensive clinic visits, during one of the most significant changes in their lives. Kang wants to raise awareness for the need for more women’s health research and for women in STEM. She says her work is not just about data — it’s about autonomy and giving women the tools to make informed decisions about their health.
Kanya King
In September 2024, MOBO Awards founder Kanya King was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer and given just six months to live. Her response? "I’m not going to let anyone else define my destiny." Rather than slowing down, she has used her voice to champion early cancer detection, self-advocacy, and the urgent need for health equality. She launched the MOBOs in 1996 after recognising a glaring gap in the music industry — a lack of recognition for Black artists, and created a platform that would go on to redefine the global music landscape.
Simone Biles
In 2021, Simone Biles chose to step back from key events at the Tokyo Olympics to prioritise her mental health, sparking a global conversation about the importance of mental wellbeing, particularly for women in sport. Her choice resonated worldwide, inspiring athletes and others to prioritise their own mental health. Biles returned triumphantly to the 2024 Olympics — leading Team USA to gold and winning multiple individual medals — proof that taking time for mental wellbeing is not a weakness but a foundation for future success. Putting yourself first is sometimes the bravest move of all.
Zakia Khudadadi
At just 25, Zakia Khudadadi made history as the first-ever medallist from the Refugee Paralympic Team, claiming bronze in taekwondo at the 2024 Paralympics. Born without a forearm in Afghanistan, she began training in secret in her hometown of Herat. After the Taliban returned to power in 2021, her viral video plea ultimately enabled her to escape to France, allowing her to continue her sporting career. "I was told that if I stayed, the Taliban would come and take me because I was a female athlete disobeying their rules," she has said. She became the first female Afghan Paralympic competitor in 17 years at the Tokyo games.
These women did more than make headlines. Whether fighting for justice, pushing the boundaries of science, or inspiring millions through sport, they’ve shown the world what courage, strength, and determination look like.
Their stories remind us why representation matters. When we see women breaking barriers, it fuels the belief that we can do the same. So, as we mark International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate their impact, uplift their voices, and keep pushing for a world where every girl grows up knowing she belongs anywhere she chooses to be.
All eight women are inspirational in their own way. Thank you for sharing! 💚
Simone biakes and
Gisele were raped that means they’re worth it