The women fighting for gender equality and equal pay made their voices loud and clear last week. Here are four who women who made the headlines.
Hillary Clinton, Democratic presidential candidate
Polling shows that Clinton dominated the first Democratic debate – where she joined Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb, former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley and former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee on stage in Las Vegas. In their debate cycle debut, the candidates covered issues such as mass incarceration, gun control and paid family leave. “It’s about time we had paid family leave for American families and join the rest of the world,” Clinton said.
Jennifer Lawrence, actress
In a brave essay for Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner’s Lenny Letter newsletter, Lawrence voiced her frustration with Hollywood’s gender pay gap. The actress expressed regret for failing as a negotiator and made it clear she’s done playing nice: “I’m over trying to find the ‘adorable’ way to state my opinion and still be likable!”
Elizabeth Holmes, Theranos CEO
At the recent TechWomen initiative hosted by the US Department of State, Holmes launched a new Twitter campaign titled #IronSisters. The movement urges women to commit to helping 100 other women in their home countries.
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, executive director of UN Women
The head of the United Nations women’s agency spoke out during a security council meeting last week, criticizing the lack of women’s inclusion at peace tables and adding that women were “perhaps the most underutilized tool we have for successfully building peace.”
Laura Dunn specializes in content creation, social media and bespoke PR, and works with brands, organizations and individuals in both the USA and the UK. Laura started blogging in 2008, when she created her blog Political Style. Laura writes for The Huffington Post, Fortune and many other publications. You can follow her on Twitter here: @lauraemilyd.
Laura Dunn