It is time to put valuable women on a pedestal and talk about what they’ve done to change the world.
These are women who are empowering not only their fellow women but every human being. These female politicians deserve a shout out and a recognition of their work and passion in making the world a better place to live in.
Who are these women?
1. Angela Merkel
Angela Merkel is Time’s Person of the Year in 2015. Chancellor of Germany, she is a force to be reckoned with. While not many will approve of her ways or decisions, still, majority of Germans love her. Her recent stand on Syrian refugees is sending a strong message to the world–the refugees need help and they are very much welcome in Germany.
2. Dilma Rousseff
Dilma Rousseff is the first woman president in Brazil. And if that’s not empowering enough, you should know that she’s been put to jail before because she fought against the military dictatorship. And yet, she became the president and has now caught several corrupted politicians and still continuing to sack them.
3. Hilary Clinton
Hilary Clinton is a woman that certainly needs no introduction. At first, we all thought she was just ex-president Bill Clinton’s wife, until she proved that she was more than that and even outshine the former president. One of her best achievements is the Global Health Initiative that focuses on maternal health, infant health and the improvement of medical facilities.
4. Johanna Sigurdardottir
Johanna Sigurdardottir is the prime minister of Iceland. What has she contributed? Iceland now leads the world in the feminism movement. With its small population of 320,000, Johanna can also be credited for the “almost” elimination of the sex industry.
5. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has done so much for Liberia. Taking over the country that was described as a hellhole, Ellen helped bring back electricity in Monrovia, increased the percentage of enrollees in school and has helped Liberia’s debts to go down. She was also one of the women recognized for her works in improving women’s rights and building peace in her country.
6. Geun-hye Park
Geun-hye Park is the first female president of South Korea and in her current term, she has already helped stabilize the relationship of South Korea and Pyonyang, easing the military tension between the two. She has also promised to put economic revitalization and nation security at the forefront of her agenda.
7. Cristina Kirchner
Soon-to-be former Argentina president Cristina Kirchner has been in office long enough and she surely made the most out of her time there. Cristina beat disaster capitalism and continues to keep Argentina’s economy on the map!
8. Queen Rania
Queen Rania is now the queen of Jordan but you’ll be amazed to know that she wasn’t born with a royal spoon. Despite her humble beginnings, Rania became the queen and was even recognized for encouraging peace between East and West. But, her most recent advocacy is what’s worth talking about. Let me put it in her own words “denying refugees their basic rights risks creating a defeated and disillusioned generation who, at their most desperate, could be susceptible to extremists’ ideology.” With that said, Jordan has already taken in 1.4 million Syrian refugees.
9. Yulia Tymoshenko
Yulia Tymoshenko is dubbed as Ukraine’s Joan of Arc by Newsweek. She is currently serving time in jail after her enemies sought revenge after her. However, that is not what’s important. What’s striking in this story is that despite being behind bars, Yulia’s drive has not wavered. She said she will continue to rise against criminals and I think that is an attitude every politician should have.
10. Michelle Obama
Okay, Michelle Obama isn’t a politician per se, but since she’s the wife of the most powerful man in the world, I believe she deserves a spot in our list. Michelle is smart enough to use her influence and power for the greater good. Right now, her main advocacy is to raise awareness on poverty, obesity and nutrition.
I love learning and discovering women who have made it their life’s work to do something about something. I really applaud their strength, dedication and commitment to go toe-to-toe with men politicians and without holding back. I hope you guys got some inspiration from these women because I sure have!
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