There is a new book coming out this October that commands attention for the inspiring and relatable insights shared by featured female achievers. The reading material arrives at a timely moment, a few weeks after the observance of October 11 as International Day of the Girl as declared by the United Nations in 2012.
The book, “200 Women Who Will Change the Way You See the World” collated responses from women of varying cultural backgrounds and occupations. Questions that were asked include “What really matters to you?,” “What brings you happiness?,” “What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?,” “What would you change if you could?,” and “Which single word do you most identify with?”
Mustering courage
Female empowerment is very clearly represented by most of the featured women in the book.
For example, American labor leader and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta said one word she most identifies with is courage. She elaborated that stepping out of her comfort zone and taking on challenges without knowing for sure what the outcome will be is a mark of courage. The legendary activist was among those who joined crowds at a Los Angeles rally against a North Dakota oil pipeline.
Another featured woman of courage is Hibo Wardere, a Somalian-born campaigner against Female Genital Mutilation, author, and public speaker, who has gone through a journey of scars. At the age of six, she was subjected to female genital mutilation, an abuse that she said changed her life forever. Wardere said that her family and being alive are the things that bring her happiness, while the lowest depth of misery – for her – is being a refugee in the present world.
Breaking the culture of silence
Hollywood actress Ashley Judd said that one thing she would change if she could is the prevailing global culture of sexual exploitation and sexual entitlement. Such a statement comes through loud and clear given the many cases of sexual harassment experienced by women from those in positions of power.
The recent testimonies of several female celebrities against film producer and studio executive Harvey Weinstein for allegedly making sexual advances on them convey that an increasing number of women are no longer held back by a Culture Of Silence.
A promising must-read, "200 Women Who Will Change the Way You See the World” is filled with lots of other vignettes that many people can identify with.
A clear-cut illustration is Anita Heiss, a prolific Australian author, who expressed that the lowest depth of misery for her is seeing anybody she loves in pain or suffering. She revealed that she fell into a pit of sadness when cancer claimed her father’s life a year after being diagnosed with it.
