International Women's Day 2021: Choose to Challenge

In light of the 2021 International Women's Day theme: Choose to Challenge, we at the Lowen Foundation would like to honor the intersectional work of women across the globe. We recognize women as being an integral component in the movement towards a world which works better for everyone across races, genders, and social classes. Women play key roles in the fight to dismantle structural inequality and systemic racism. They are also actively working to promote food and energy sustainability in the fight against climate change.

We'd like to take this moment to recognize and honor all women who are working to challenge themselves, be it by getting to know themselves, raising a family, focusing on a career, or challenging the status quo. We would also like to take this chance to give our deepest appreciation to the women leaders and caretakers of the past who paved the way for all those who are continuing the fight for the expanded rights of women, minority groups, the environment, LGBTQ+, and so much more. We honor them not only today, but every day.

Below are some present day women who are choosing to challenge to achieve a more just world fighting against climate change, social inequality, racism, sexism, LGBTQ+ discrimination and more. This list is by no means comprehensive, as a list of that magnitude would take endless volumes. Those that we have chosen to include here are a sample of the wider intersectional movement towards greater equality and sustainability.

In no particular order:

Greta Thunberg: Swedish Climate Activist

Image Source: Bloomberg News

(From left to right) Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza, and Opal Tometi: Founders of the Black Lives Matter Movement

Image Source: Fortune Magazine

Malala Yousafzai: Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest Nobel Peace Prize Laureate

Image Source: Axios

Naomi Klein: Canadian author, filmmaker, and social activist

Image Source: The Guardian

Tarana Burke: Activist and Founder of the Me Too Movement

Image Source: AP News

Esther Duflo: French-American economist and winner of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for work on alleviating poverty

Image Source: National Public Radio

Cecilia Chung: Civil Rights leader and transgender activist for LGBTQ+ rights, HIV/AIDS awareness, and social justice

Image Source: 18 Million Rising

"The Squad" (from left to right) Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, and Ayanna Pressley: Members of the United States House of Representatives

Image Source: Marie Claire

Winona LaDuke: Environmental and Native American Lands Rights Activist

Image Source: Speak Out