Page 37
The Wonder Women of the World
Words Sarah Adama
Women are no longer only occupying seats at the table, but rather at the head of the table. Across the world, women are leading the most powerful institutions, and breaking into the roles which have been dominated by men for so long. Across the globe, women are leading top institutions and nations successfully, navigating the crises and stumbling blocks of the modern world. In the EU, the top positions are merited to female leaders whilst Sub-Saharan Africa has seen many years of working tirelessly to promote gender equality reflected in Africa’s leadership. The US has made history electing its first female vice president, 45 presidents later. Africa is currently leading gender equality, also in the private sector as a Mckinsey and co report revealed that one in four board members for companies are now women, higher than Europe’s. Across all continents, the surface has only been scratched, yet the world has seen what having female leaders, with the characteristics of a woman but a firm mind of leadership, can do. It is time for the world’s industries to tap into the capacity and talents of women in leadership.
Christine Lagarde By Alexandros MichailidisChristine Lagarde, President of European Central Bank
Christine Lagarde holds the top, and very critical role at the European Commission, setting the monetary policy for the 19 countries within the European community. She is a French businessperson and lawyer, prior to her current role Lagarde served as Chair and Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), from July 2011 to September 2019. She has a trail of firsts, being the first woman to be appointed Finance Minister of a G8 company and her role at IMF and now the central Bank. She was ranked by Financial times in 2009 as the best finance minister in the Eurozone, and her experience as a Lawyer merited the position of first female chair of international law firm Baker & McKenzie between 1999 and 2004. Following the recent pandemic, Lagarde now has a very critical role in cushioning the economy from the long-term impact of the Covid-19 and addressing the pressing global climate issues and gender equality.
Angela Merkel by 360BAngela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany
Angela Merkel leads the world’s 4th largest economy, leading one of the most powerful institutions through modern crises as the first female Chancellor of Germany, and a member of the Christian Democratic Union. Described as the de facto leader of the European Union, her handling of the recent pandemic has been widely recognised by international spectators as Germany became one of the few countries to successfully combat the virus with limited lockdowns. Following a successful tenure, Angela Merkel has announced her retirement this year, after 18 years in service and 13 as German Chancellor.
Ursula von der Leyen By Alexandros MichailidisUrsula Von de Leyen, President of the European Commission
Previously serving as the first female Minister of Defense (2013-19) for Germany, Ursula Von de Leyen is the first woman to serve as president of the European Commission. She has undertaken the critical role of overseeing Brexit, finally securing a deal with the U.K this Christmas, four years since the Withdrawal agreement was triggered. As president, her role includes proposing new EU Laws, enforcing rules and handling trade deals.
Jacinda Ardern By Alexandros Michailidis.pngJacinda Arden, Prime Minister of New Zealand
Jacinda Arden is the 40th Prime Minister of New Zealand and leader of the Labour Party since election in 2017. She became the youngest female world leader at the time, at the age of 37. This year she has received international admiration for her crisis leadership, in her handling of the Covid-19 pandemic which saw the virus successfully eliminated in both waves. Her compassionate and empathetic government is the epitome of female leadership in nations, appointing the most diverse cabinet in the history of New Zealand with ambitious plans to tackle climate change and child poverty. Arden ranked top of a recent list of the world’s most eloquent leaders, praised for her kindness and compassion whilst going head-to-head with tough issues.
Nicola-Sturgeon, By Terry MurdenNicola Sturgeon, Prime Minister of Scotland
Nicola sturgeon is the First Minister of Scotland and Leader of Scottish National Party (SNP).She is described as being “clear, calm and compassionate” The prime minister has received recognition for her handling of the pandemic. Her handling of the coronavirus pandemic did not go unnoticed,
Greta Thunberg By Daniele COSSUGreta Thunberg, Climate Activist
Greta Thunberg has caught international attention with her firm stance and methods of raising awareness of the climate emergency. In August 2018, she started a school strike outside the Swedish Parliament and has inspired an international movement for change, ‘Fridays For Future’, involving over 100,000 school children worldwide.
Kamala Harris By Sheila FitzgeraldKamala Harris, Vice-President of the United States of America
Kamala Harris cemented herself in history when she became America’s first black woman of mixed heritage (South Asian) to be elected Vice President. Harris has a track record of overcoming high, concrete ceilings – the first woman and person of colour to serve as District Attorney of San Francisco and then later the first as Attorney General for California. She was also the state’s first Black senator, later nominated vice president by the Democratic party. The vice president who will assume her new role on Jan 20, promises that whilst she may be the first, she “won’t be the last”.
Nancy Pelosi By Alexandros MichailidisNancy Pelosi, Democrat and Speaker of the House of Representatives
Nancy Pelosi’s rise from a housewife in San Francisco to the most powerful woman in U.S politics is a story told many times. She made history as the first woman to serve as speaker of the house, and since running for office at the age of 47 managed to become the most powerful woman in Washington, recently re-elected on January 3, 2021. Pelosi cemented her through status, overcoming the high ceilings of Capitol Hill and demonstrating an impressive ability to rally members of her party as well as fundraising skills and a ‘political sixth sense’. She is otherwise known as the most powerful female politician in US history.
Stacey Abrams By Al Teich Stacey Abrams, founder of Fair Fight
Stacey Abrams was the first black woman to become the gubernatorial nominee for a major party in the United States in 2018, following eleven years in the Georgia House of Representatives and seven of those years as Democratic leader. She won more votes than any other Democrat in the history of the state of Georgia. When she lost a bid in the 2018 elections, she focused her resources on forging grassroots connections. She founded Fair Fight to champion voting rights in the state of Georgia. Her impact in the 2020 elections cannot be denied, For the first time in 30 years, Georgia state was flipped from red (Republican) to blue (Democrat), underscoring a major victory for Joe Biden.
Aya chebbi TwitterAya Chebbi, Activist (Tunisia)
She is the youngest diplomat at the African Union, holding a role in the youth envoy.
Tsai Ing-WenTsai Ing-Wen, President of Taiwan
In Taiwan where women are constructing a path to equality, Tsai Ing-Wen made history when she became Taiwan’s first female president in 2016. At 63, she won another 4 years in office in the January 2020 taking over 57% of the ballot and a record 8.2 million votes. The President has positioned herself as the defender of Taiwan’s sovereignty against the Chinese Communist Party and her success can be owed to this. Tsai Ing-Wen calls for the protection of gender equality, advocates for its legal protection at home and in the workplace as well as increased government oversight to protect women from Gender-based violence.