March marks the start of National Women’s History Month. What people may not know is every year there is a centralized theme for the women who are celebrated during Women’s History Month. This year’s theme is to celebrate “Women Who Advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion”. Here are a few women who have fought for DEI in various locations.
Malala Yousafazi is a young woman who is dedicated to following women’s educational rights across the world. Growing up, education was very important to Malala. Pakistani women, however, are told to stop getting an education at a young age. Despite her town being controlled by the Taliban, Malala focused on school until that same terrorist group kidnapped her. She was shot in the head but still made a lengthy recovery. Even though she was targeted and threatened, it never stopped her from continuing to push for change in Pakistan.
Lily Zheng is a transgender woman who has fought for equality in the workplace. She talks about how DEI in the workplace is often in the right place but never executed well. DEI shouldn’t be one broad network in a business place. To be successful, DEI must be unique to each branch and department. Lily has won numerous awards, including the Presidential Award of Excellence.
Dolores Huerta has dedicated her life to equality for Hispanics. As a Hispanic woman, Dolores co-founded the United Farm Workers Association and was the leader of the Chicano Civil Rights Movement. Dolores fought for economic improvements for all Hispanics. One of her most influential movements was the nationwide “grape-picking boycott” which resulted in better pay for Hispanics. Dolores Huerta has worked hard in developing rights for Hispanics and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012.
Mary White Ovington was an African American woman dedicated to the Civil Rights and Women’s Suffrage movements. Her work is still impacting today as she has co-founded one of the biggest civil rights groups in the nation: the NAACP. Mary first started as an author who wrote about Black culture and society, which started her initial passion for activism. Mary, along with other members of the NAACP, worked for women’s equality. She along with many other Black women fought to be included in the suffragist movement.
