7 Badass
Women 2014

Mirjam Stoffels

Since the beginning of 2013, at the start of seven2success.com I give you the most powerful women of the year and slowly but surely this is turning into a tradition. And last week I presented them to you: the seven most powerful women of 2014, as published in Forbes.

There is no doubt about it. There is something very special about being a woman: an innate, magical strength that can overcome any obstacle. But no matter how strong, every once in a while every woman spends time thinking about all the awesome women in the world, and how to be more like them. Our role models.

But what about our silent heroines? Women who change the world, who don’t end up in any list of powerful women?

That is why here is a tribute. Seven powerful [groups of] women, badass women, you probably never heard of in 2014 that changed the world for themselves and for future generations of women. To show you that women, as one or as many, do make a difference!

 
 
#1
Bayan Mahmoud al-Zahran
Bayan Mahmoud al-Zahran opened Saudi Arabia’s first all-woman law firm, where she’ll represent women and bring women’s rights issues into the courts.

‘I believe women lawyers can contribute a lot to the legal system’, al-Zahran said. ‘This law firm will make a difference in the history of court cases and female disputes in the Kingdom. I am very hopeful and thank everyone who supported me in taking this historical step.’
 
 
 

 
 
#2
The Brazillian women who protested against rape
After 65% of respondents in a survey agreed that ‘if dressed provocatively, women deserve to be attacked and raped’, Brazilian women protested in a series of powerful photo’s.

‘Whether I’m in a burqa or naked, I don’t deserve to be raped.’
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
#3
The 600 Art+Feminism Wikipedia Edit-a-Thon volunteers
About 600 volunteers in 31 venues around the globe engaged in a collective effort to change the world, one Wikipedia entry at a time. The volunteers took part in the ‘Art+Feminism Wikipedia Edit-a-Thon’ and added 101 names of female artists who deserved to be recognized. In the United States, Canada, Australia, Italy, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, in nonprofits and art schools, in museums and universities, these people—mostly women—set out to write entries, uncredited and unpaid.

 
 
 

 
 
#4
The Afghan women taking part in the elections
An unprecedented number of women turned out to vote in the presidential and local council elections April 5, 2014 despite weeks of heightened Taliban violence and death threats.

‘It’s pretty cool to be given a chance to say what you like and what you don’t,” said Rabia, a 22- year-old university student. ‘I feel quite fortunate today because over a decade ago, women of my age were beaten in the streets for simply venturing out, in this very city.’ Rabia then raised her inked finger and said proudly, ‘I voted. I did my bit.’
 
 
 

 
 
#5
Olive Bowers
The 13-year-old girl who called out a surfing magazine for its depiction of women.

‘I am a surfer and I want to bluntly address the way you represent women in your magazine. The only photo of a woman I could find was ‘Girl of the month’. She wasn’t surfing or even remotely near a beach. On your website pages and pages of semi-naked, non-surfing girls. These images create a culture in which boys, men and even girls reading your magazine will think that all girls are valued for is their appearance.’

 
 

 
 
#6
American nuns supporting contraception
The National Coalition of American Nuns came out in support of the Affordable Care Act’s provision for contraception coverage. In a petition addressed to the U.S. Supreme Court the nuns wrote, ‘We want to make clear that the sin is not a person using birth control. The sin is denying women the right and the means to plan their families.’

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
#7
Kenyan women participating in the ‘miniskirt protest’
Hundreds of women in Kenya protested on the streets in Nairobi after a woman was attacked and stripped in public for wearing a mini skirt. The attack, which took place at a busy bus stop in Nairobi’s Central Business District, involved dozens of men who surrounded the woman, tore off her clothes and forced her to the ground. The Facebook group Kilimani Mums organised a ‘miniskirt protest’ to defend their right to wear what they choose. ‘We as Kilimani Mums decided to hold a peaceful procession. This is our chance to stand together as women and deliver a message to our country that sexual violence will not be tolerated.’

 
 

 
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We all know powerful women. The role models in our life.
Who is your great example, your role model?
Share with us in the comment box below!!

Mirjam Stoffels

Founder of seven2success, author of ‘Daily Little Secrets to Success’ and guest blogger at Project Eve and 365 dagen succesvol. In my mission to make seven2success the biggest platform of knowledge and inspiration for women, I want to inspire you with our content! Check us out on Facebook and Twitter! I’d love to connect!  And do you want to inspire other women? Write for us!

 
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