We don't need an excuse to champion brilliant, brave and strong women making leading movements in history.

But if we did, International Women's Day, which falls on March 8th, has just given us a chance to celebrate them in all their glory.

The special day is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women in history and it has been celebrated for more than a century. The theme of this year’s campaign is 'EachforEqual', which is a reminder that we’re all responsible for building a more just and equitable world, and that we all have the power to change things.

So, with that in mind, we wanted to call out a handful of amazing women who are changing the world in their own way.

1. Greta Thunburg

Named as Time's Person of the Year 2019, Greta Thunburg is the 17-year-old Swedish environmental activist helping to lead the race against climate change. Greta shot to international recognition after she addressed the 2019 United Nations Climate Change Conference and told leaders: "You are failing us."

In 2018 the teen coined the term #FridaysForFuture, after she sat in front of the Swedish parliament every school day for three weeks to protest against the lack of action on the climate crisis. She posted what she was doing on Instagram and Twitter and it soon went viral. The activist has since gone on to publish a book, called No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference, which is a collection of her speeches that have made history across Europe. She has also recently been nominated for the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize nomination – so watch this space!

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On Monday my book “No One Is Too Small To Make A Difference” will be released in the United States. This is an updated edition with more speeches, which will be released in other countries and languages soon as well. And all my earnings will go to charity. Picture by Anders Hellberg
A post shared by Greta Thunberg (@gretathunberg) on Nov 9, 2019 at 1:48pm PST

2. Oprah Winfrey

The American television personality, actress, entrepreneur and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey has built an empire specifically to help women thrive. Oprah shot to fame in 1986 after hosting The Oprah Winfrey Show, which was aired for more than 20 years and she has gone on to launch her own television network, OWN in 2011.

And, if that wasn't monumental enough, Oprah has since developed the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls – a world-class school for girls in South Africa – and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013. What a woman!

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A post shared by Oprah (@oprah) on Jan 21, 2020 at 5:45am PST

3. Hilary Clinton

Anyone who campaigns for women's rights, is most definitely an inspiring person in our eyes.

"Women's rights are human rights", Hilary Clinton famously said in 1995 at the Fourth World Conference on Women by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and since then, she has campaigned tirelessly on them. From closing the pay gap, to fighting to paid leave, and even campaigning for making quality and affordable childcare a reality for families – this is one woman determined to create a better future for all.

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A post shared by Hillary Clinton (@hillaryclinton) on Nov 22, 2019 at 7:01am PST

4. Malala Yousafzai

Not just anybody can say they have won the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize. But after being awarded it at 17-years-old, Malala Yousafzai can also say she is the youngest.

Malala is an advocate for equal rights and according to The Nobel Prize Judges, she was awarded the prize in 2014 for 'the struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education'.

Malala was born in the Swat District of northwestern Pakistan, where her father was a school owner and was active in educational issues. After having blogged for the BBC since 2009 about her experiences during the Taliban's growing influence in the region, in 2012 the Taliban attempted to assassinate Malala Yousafzai on the bus home from school. She survived, but underwent several operations in the UK.

She has since made speeches to the United Nations, published her memoir I Am Malala, and continues to advocate for equal rights through her foundation, The Malala Fund.

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A post shared by Malala Fund (@malalafund) on Feb 3, 2020 at 12:06pm PST

5. Reni Eddo-Lodge

Reni Eddo-Lodge is the author of the triple award winning book, Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race. The book explores everything from eradicated black history to the inextricable link between class and race. In 2019, her work earned her a place on Forbes’ European 30 Under 30 list. In 2018, she won a Bold Moves Award from Women in the Creative Industries for the publication of her book and in January 2018, British Vogue named her a ‘new suffragette’.

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A post shared by Reni Eddo-Lodge (@renieddolodge) on Sep 25, 2019 at 11:20am PDT

Feeling inspired by these amazing women? Then you'll love our International Women's Day products that say it like it is. To find more products like this pop into your local George at Asda store.

5 women who are changing the world

By ASDA Admin,24th February 2020

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