Celestia Magazine’s Post

This is a list of women elected to lead their countries, each breaking barriers and making history:  1. Sirimavo Bandaranaike – Sri Lanka  2. Indira Gandhi – India  3. Golda Meir – Israel  4. Isabel Perón – Argentina  5. Margaret Thatcher – United Kingdom  6. Benazir Bhutto – Pakistan  7. Corazon Aquino – Philippines  9. Mary Robinson – Ireland  10. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf – Liberia  11. Angela Merkel – Germany  12. Michelle Bachelet – Chile  13. Cristina Fernández de Kirchner – Argentina  14. Dilma Rousseff – Brazil  15. Jacinda Ardern – New Zealand  16. Sanna Marin – Finland  17. Kaja Kallas – Estonia 18. Claudia Sheinbaum - Mexico America’s foundation is built on ideals of freedom and equality. Yet, once again we faltered when it came to the possibility of a woman—especially a woman of color and one who is poised, qualified, and capable —leading. This election has once again revealed our reluctance to move beyond centuries-old biases. Once again we failed to embrace true equality as a country.

“Let us be what we have to be, not what they let us want to be” (Elliot Orizaarwa Tumwijukye) Ending a week of discussion of the 68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, the conference on Imagining and building Feminist Economic Realities has done more than « Imagining ».  Coming with a community-based panel composed by Rosalba Karina díaz Crisóstomo,elliot Orizaarwa Tumwijukye., mirembe agnes, rom romlawati. They show their actions to develop economic rights in their respective countries. The entire discussion highlighted the power of owning in our capitalist society and how the development of cooperatives works as a counter-power against the structural patriarchal organisation. It has been two years that I have been attached to shift from a « global » vision of feminism to the research of understanding the plurality of the global south feminist perspectives. Through the exposure of the Ugandan, the Dominican Republic and Indonesian, the speakers gave a grassroots illustration of the empowerment of women by themselves, for themselves. Centring the sensitisation, awareness and sustainability, all of them are working to provide options to women and not solutions, leaving them the liberty/sovereignty to own from the start their destiny.  COOPDIVERSA, WOMEN AND GIRL CHILD DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION, Action for Rural Women’s Empowerment (ARUWE), Women Headed Household Empowerment, UN Women. 

The future of Calgary (and the world) is brighter when women and gender diverse entrepreneurs get the support they need to grow, expand and scale their businesses! Economic development is a gender issue. Globally, 1 in 4 women entrepreneurs expect to see growth within five years by employing six or more people. Women entrepreneurs are challenging common stereotypes that portray them as disadvantaged in business leadership. In fact, they are building successful, innovative and resilient businesses. Gender-specific obstacles such as societal norms and biases, access to finance, poor childcare and caregiving support options, and historical exclusion from networks of power act as a glass ceiling that prevents women entrepreneurs from reaching their full potential. Almost three in four women (72.9%) cite job scarcity as the main reason for their business startup. The highest concentration of entrepreneurs is in newcomer populations. By advancing gender equality and women's participation in the economy, Canada alone could add up to $150 BILLION in GDP. If women and men participated equally as entrepreneurs, global GDP could rise by 5-6%, boosting the global economy by $3-5 TRILLION dollars. Important Note - the studies focused on this issue thus far have centered binary gender only. There stands to be much larger economic gains when we also include gender diverse populations! #Economy #EconomicDevelopment #GDPGrowth #WomeninBusiness #GenderDiversity #GenderEquity

🌍 “Soro Soke: Young Women Redefining Power” 🌍 Last month, I had the privilege of participating in a youth side discussion at the Global South Knowledge Summit (GSKS) Design Workshop in The Hague co-hosted by International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) of Erasmus University Rotterdam and BRAC I shared insights on the powerful Nigerian phrase “Soro Soke”—meaning “speak up”—a rallying cry that emerged from the #EndSARS movement. I explored how young women are not only speaking up but also boldly challenging power dynamics in ways that are reshaping leadership and activism globally. Through digital platforms, young women are leading transformative change, confronting patriarchal norms, and making activism more inclusive and equitable. These bold actions are not just moments of defiance but a testament to their resilience and commitment to systemic change. One powerful question from the discussion stayed with me: 🗨️ What if digital activism becomes slacktivism—where people just like, share, and move on without real change? My response was clear: These fears are valid, but let us not dismiss the critical role digital activism plays, especially for those navigating shrinking democracies and gender norms that stifle their voices. For many young women, digital activism is the only available platform for advocacy. One of the most enriching aspects of the experience was meeting incredible women like Aruna Rao, Ana María González Forero and Sadna Samaranayake . Their insights and passion reminded me of the power of collaboration in driving meaningful change. #DigitalActivism #GenderEquality #YouthLeadership

Meri empowers young women to become leaders in their community, creating a profound and enduring influence on both themselves and those in their midst. 🌟🔥 Discover Meri: https://lnkd.in/eqYhFK9D

Empowering Nations through Female Leadership: Unlocking a Brighter Future! As we strive for a more equitable and prosperous world, it's essential to recognize the transformative power of female leadership. Women, particularly Black women, bring unique perspectives, skills, and experiences that can elevate nations and foster positive change. Female leaders: - Excel in emotional intelligence, empathy, and collaboration - Drive inclusive decision-making and diverse representation - Prioritize education, healthcare, and social welfare - Champion sustainable development and environmental stewardship - Inspire future generations of women and girls to lead - Reduce corruption and promote transparency and accountability - Effectively address poverty and economic inequality - Foster a culture of empathy, compassion, and understanding - Bring a nuanced understanding of intersectional issues and challenges By embracing female leadership, especially from underrepresented communities, we can unlock new potential for growth, stability, and peace. Let's empower Black women to lead nations and shape a brighter future for all. #FemaleLeadership #BlackExcellence #Empowerment #Inclusion #Sustainability #NationBuilding #AntiCorruption #PovertyReduction #EquityAndJustice

Interested in the AmCham Mentorship Program for women undergrads in Hong Kong? Listen to the short recording below to learn about the program from a former mentor and former mentees.

Check out what our founders Shauna Frederick, CPA, FEA and Shannon Pestun were up to last week! It's great to see a group of women leaders coming together to talk about the future of #YYC.

Esteemed guests, fellow young women, and everyone gathered here today, I stand before you today to champion the cause of young women's participation in the political space. Our voices, our perspectives, and our leadership are essential for shaping a just and equitable future for all. The political landscape has long been dominated by older, male voices. However, the time has come for a paradigm shift. Young women, with their fresh ideas, boundless energy, and unwavering commitment to social change, are poised to revolutionize the political sphere. Our participation is not just a right; it is a necessity. We bring a unique perspective to the table, one that is often overlooked and undervalued. We understand the challenges faced by our generation, the aspirations of our peers, and the dreams of our communities. Furthermore, our active involvement in politics strengthens democracy itself. It ensures that the voices of half the population are heard, that our needs and priorities are reflected in policies, and that we have a say in the decisions that shape our lives. However, we must acknowledge the barriers that hinder our progress. These include gender stereotypes, discrimination, and a lack of opportunities. But these challenges cannot deter us. Instead, they must fuel our determination to break down these barriers and pave the way for future generations of young women leaders. To achieve this, we must: * **Educate ourselves:** Understand the political system, the issues at stake, and the power of our vote. * **Network and build alliances:** Connect with like-minded individuals and organizations to amplify our voices. * **Run for office:** Break the glass ceiling and become the leaders we need. * **Mentor and support other young women:** Empower each other and create a pipeline of future leaders. Let us not be complacent. Let us not shy away from the challenges ahead. Instead, let us embrace them as opportunities to demonstrate our resilience, our intelligence, and our unwavering commitment to a better future. The time is now for young women to rise, to lead, and to transform the political landscape. Together, we can create a world where our voices are heard, our rights are protected, and our potential is unleashed. Thank you. #WOMEN POLITICAL SPACE @Badili Africa @machakos university @FORUM CIV @Tuboreshe pamoja # feminizing political space

Esteemed guests, fellow young women, and everyone gathered here today, I stand before you today to champion the cause of young women's participation in the political space. Our voices, our perspectives, and our leadership are essential for shaping a just and equitable future for all. The political landscape has long been dominated by older, male voices. However, the time has come for a paradigm shift. Young women, with their fresh ideas, boundless energy, and unwavering commitment to social change, are poised to revolutionize the political sphere. Our participation is not just a right; it is a necessity. We bring a unique perspective to the table, one that is often overlooked and undervalued. We understand the challenges faced by our generation, the aspirations of our peers, and the dreams of our communities. Furthermore, our active involvement in politics strengthens democracy itself. It ensures that the voices of half the population are heard, that our needs and priorities are reflected in policies, and that we have a say in the decisions that shape our lives. However, we must acknowledge the barriers that hinder our progress. These include gender stereotypes, discrimination, and a lack of opportunities. But these challenges cannot deter us. Instead, they must fuel our determination to break down these barriers and pave the way for future generations of young women leaders. To achieve this, we must: * **Educate ourselves:** Understand the political system, the issues at stake, and the power of our vote. * **Network and build alliances:** Connect with like-minded individuals and organizations to amplify our voices. * **Run for office:** Break the glass ceiling and become the leaders we need. * **Mentor and support other young women:** Empower each other and create a pipeline of future leaders. Let us not be complacent. Let us not shy away from the challenges ahead. Instead, let us embrace them as opportunities to demonstrate our resilience, our intelligence, and our unwavering commitment to a better future. The time is now for young women to rise, to lead, and to transform the political landscape. Together, we can create a world where our voices are heard, our rights are protected, and our potential is unleashed. Thank you # enlarging women political space @Badili Africa @Machakos university @FORUM CIV @Tuboreshe pamoja #Feminizing Political spaces.