The most influential women in politics and social life in modern times

Over the last few years, women have managed to take firm steps and gain more ground on some of the most important international stages. Many aspects have evolved thanks to the influence of the so-called "weaker sex", which is becoming stronger and more prominent.

Of course, this path has not been an easy one, as the protagonists of the new human history have faced a large number of stereotypes that have hindered their performance. Their voices now have a wider reach, and part of that is due to the new digital age.

The latter is nothing new: the internet has been a bridge that has made it easier for information to reach people in a matter of seconds, as easy as playing free online slots. Here are a few success stories of women who have not only made an impact in their immediate environment, but also globally.

Kamala Harris

She is an American lawyer and politician who graduated from Howard University. In 2021, she became Vice President of the United States. This is no mean achievement, as she is the first African-American woman to hold the office of Vice President of the United States. She is also the most powerful female administrative official in the history of the United States (Wikipedia, 2023).

Harris served as a junior senator in California between 2011 and 2017 -she was also Attorney General of that state-. In addition, she served as District Attorney in the district of San Francisco. Thanks to her various efforts, significant changes were made to the tax and health care system. He also advocated for the DREAM Act -which seeks to support the immigrant cause-, a fight he still maintains from his new position.

Carolina Herrera

María Josefina Pacanins Niño, better known as Carolina Herrera, is an iconic figure in contemporary fashion culture. This Venezuelan designer and businesswoman is one of the most important women of the South American country on the global scene.

In 1981, she held her first successful fashion show. This event allowed her to dress women such as Queen Elizabeth II, Nancy Reaga, Kathleen Turner, Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia and Jacqueline Kennedy a year later. From that moment on, Herrera was crowned one of the most influential ladies in fashion and social life.

Throughout her career, she has received awards for her excellence as a designer, as well as for her exclusive fragrances.

Maria Fernanda Espinoza

She is an Ecuadorian diplomat, writer and scientist. In 2018 she became the first Latin American to preside over the UN National Assembly. Espinoza has had a long career in the political world of her country. In fact, she has held positions as the first Minister of Foreign Affairs (2007) and Minister of National Defence (2012).

Emma Watson

This British actress and activist, as well as being recognised as one of the main characters in the famous Harry Potter saga, has also stood out for her fight for women's rights. At just 25 years old, in 2015 Time magazine included her in its list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

Although she has devoted considerable years to filmmaking, she has not left aside her struggles and ideals. As an activist and philanthropist, she played an important role in UN Women's HeForShe campaign. In 2019, Watson presented her article "Every G7 country should have a feminist foreign policy".

Shakira

Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, is a singer-songwriter, dancer and businesswoman born in Barranquilla, Colombia, in 1977. She made her musical debut in the 1990s, and soon after, due to her commitment, charisma and talent, she was considered an icon. Today she is recognised as the "Queen of Latin pop". This past year -after her controversial separation- she has returned to the music scene with several singles that quickly made her No. 1 in all the charts and platforms in Latin America and the world.

However, her global social impact has not only been in music. La Barranquillera has also stood out for the work carried out by her Pies Descalzos Foundation. This initiative was created to support the underprivileged children's community in Colombia. Following this, she has been named a UNICEF "Goodwill Ambassador". In addition, she received an award from the UN for her causes in favour of the poor.

Malala Yousafzai

She is a 25-year-old Pakistani activist who has been living in the UK since she was attacked in her home country in 2015. Her main goal is to advocate for the rights of women in her village - the Swat River Valley. Yusafzai's work has sparked an international movement against the Taliban regime and its ban on girls attending school.

In 2014, at the age of 17, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. She is the youngest person ever to receive such a great award. She is considered a messenger of goodwill. Her demands include a ceasefire and an end to Taliban oppression in her region, as well as greater student freedoms for women and girls in her country. (United Nations, 2023).