6 Women Who Have Grabbed The “First” Title And Made History in 2021
…And we are only three months into the year. #Women’sHistoryMonth.
As the world begins to gain a sense of normalcy in 2021, women are on the frontiers to revolutionize the globe. We are only 3 months into the new year and women have achieved remarkable feats that brought the world to its feet.
In honour of International Women’s Day 2021 and Women History Month, here are five women who have attained positions, women of the past could only dream of and fight for.
“Having role models who are the same gender as you, who look like you, who come from a similar background as yours, can go a long way.” -Alisha Ramos, Senior Front-End Designer at Vox Media.
- Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
This one hit home. It is one thing to see foreign women attain admirable feats, It is another when the person is just “like” you -a Nigerian woman. Ngozi wrecked glass ceilings on the International stage when she became the first African and woman to be appointed as the seventh Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
What’s more beautiful is that her running candidate for the position was also a woman, Republic of Korea’s Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee. Such a great time to be alive!
Ngozi’s appointment means so much to me not just as a woman but as a person living in a third world country with seemingly limited opportunities. She is a testament that you can always rise above limitations.
“Investing in women is smart economics, and investing in girls, catching them upstream is even smarter economics.” — Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
2. Kamala Harris
Kamala once said that her Mama told her she would be the “first” of many things. Well, she was right. Kamala made history as she became the first United States’ female vice president, the most-superior female official in U.S. history, and the first African American and first Asian American vice president. Talk about breaking political glass ceilings.
Despite all the odds of sexism, racism, Kamala made it to the top and we couldn’t have been more proud.
“What I want young women and girls to know is: You are powerful and your voice matters. You’re going to walk into many rooms in your life and career where you may be the only one who looks like you or who has had the experiences you’ve had. But you remember that when you are in those rooms, you are not alone. We are all in that room with you applauding you on. Cheering your voice. And just so proud of you. So you use that voice and be strong.” — Kamala Harris
3. Jane Fraser
Jane Fraser’s appointment as the next CEO of Citigroup bank was announced last year. However, she officially took over from the former CEO in March. And that’s a huge deal!
Citi is one of the world’s biggest international banks, providing services to millions of individuals, businesses and establishments across over 100 countries.
The appointment made Fraser the first woman to oversee a major U.S. bank. Undoubtedly, having a child (family) is one of the factors that significantly limit women’s career development.
Fraser is an inspiration to mothers and every young woman like me who hopes to raise a family and climb up in the corporate world or chase an ambitious career.
“It took me a while to get over this fear that I wouldn’t be doing a great job, day one. And I see that in a lot of women. And I urge all the younger women in the audience, not to feel that you do have to be 120% qualified for a new job. You don’t, you can’t possibly be. So don’t let that hold you back… But at the same time, just keep enough of that fear, just to keep you on your toes.” — Jane Fraser
3. Whitney Wolfe Herd
As a woman who hopes to build and run a successful business someday, Whitney is a fine inspiration. Being the founder and CEO of Bumble (a world-class dating platform), she is currently the youngest woman to take a company public. Also, that feat cemented her place as the youngest female self-made billionaire at the age of 31. With about a 12% stake in the company, Whitney is worth $1.6 billion.
Whitney is a Queen building her own empire and making massive wave in a male-dominated space, who am I not to stan?
“I just hope that more women realize that if your gut tells you you’re doing a good job, you’re doing a good job.” — Whitney Wolfe Herd
4. Dr Kizzmekia Corbett — viral immunologist and research fellow at the National Institute of Health
In the year that the world was in big trouble and struggled with a devastating pandemic, a black woman from Orange County, North Carolina leads her team to save the world.
Kizzmekia is a viral immunologist and research fellow at the National Institute of Health. Leading a team of scientists alongside Dr Barney Graham, they are big brains behind the Moderna’s vaccine. The Moderna Vaccine which is already in use has an estimated efficacy of over 90%. It is one of the vaccines that have exhibited astonishing results in preventing symptomatic infection.
It will go down in history that during the time of a devastating pandemic, a black woman was at the forefront of delivering the world from a deadly virus.
Kizzy as she is fondly called has joined the league of women that have proven again that, in science (and anywhere), the power lunch is not just for men.
Are you thinking what I am thinking? A Nobel Prize for Kizzy would mean having rappers Young Jeezy and Da Baby perform at the event. That would be a breath of fresh hair!
“At some point, you just have to say, ‘I don’t care what they think’, and just show up and let your work speak for you.” — Dr Kizzmekia Corbett
6. Samia Suluhu Hassan
Samia became the first female President of one of the most populous African nations with about 60 million people, Tanzania. Following the sudden death of Ali Hassan Mwinyi, the former President of the country, Samia who was the Vice-President stepped in to take over the position. She was sworn in on the 19th of March, 2021.
Samia began her political career as far back as 2000 and gradually ascended the political ladder until she became the first female Vice-President of the nation in 2015. In a country that is slowly emerging from patriarchy and a space that has been dominated by men for years, Samia has shown us that it’s possible to break barriers and mess with the status quo.
Additional Mention
7. Amanda Gorman
Walking tall on the shoulders of the legendary icon, Maya Angelou, the first African American and woman inaugural poet, Armanda became the youngest person to read a poem at the United States presidential inauguration. 23-year old Armanda represents a generation of young women who are not scared to dream big dreams, take the world by its lapels, and defy all odds.
She aims to run for President in 2039. Go, Girl!!!
Hear me as a woman
Have me as your sister
On purpled battlefield breaking day,
So I might say our victory is just beginning,
See me as change,
Say I am movement,
That I am the year
And I am the era
Of the women.”-
“Won’t You Be My Sister” by Armanda Gorman
I dedicate this year’s celebration to brave and courageous women who used their voice to speak and fight. We are reaping what they have sown in pain, tears and discomfort.
That’s why we need to keep challenging the status quo to create a better world for ourselves and future generations.
Happy International Women’s Month, Queens!
