How Emma Watson Is Inspiring Us On International Women’s Day
Today is International Women's Day, a day dedicated to celebrating all of the amazing things women have done, and calling on the world to treat women equally. We're celebrating by honoring some of our favorite inspiring female stars who've taken their own big steps to make a difference and make the world more equal.
1. Emma Watson with UN Women and HeForShe
HeForShe is all about recruiting the world's men to join in on the conversation about equal rights for women. As UN Women Global Goodwill Ambassador, Watson has been an awesome champion to the cause.
(via Storify)
"How can we effect change in the world when only half of it is invited or feel welcome to participate in the conversation?"
2. Shailene Woodley with All It Takes
Shailene Woodley and her mom, Lori, co-founded All It Takes, which asks people to take any actions they can to make a difference in the world, no matter how small they may seem.
(via Just Jared Jr.)
"All it takes is to pick up that one piece of trash you pass everyday on your way to work. Or to turn the water faucet off when you're brushing your teeth from afar. Or to compost. Or to buy 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Or to utilize vintage stores and secondhand markets. Or to fully devote yourself to only buying vegetables from local sources. It is remarkably easy to incorporate sustainable choices into our everyday, busy lives."
3. Selena Gomez with UNICEF
Selena Gomez has been a UNICEF Ambassador since 2009, taking part in many of their events and traveling the world to advocate for the support of kids who need it most.
(via The Green Girls)
"They are basically using my voice and my platform to educate kids. I'm able to take trips with them. I'm able to be educated on what they're doing. The next step of making the number zero from having 22,000 children die a day from preventable causes. That's why I was one of the first people to become part of the Tap Project this year."
4. Miley Cyrus with The Happy Hippie Foundation
Miley started The Happy Hippie Foundation in September of 2014 to motivate young people to band together and fight social injustices, beginning with homelessness.
(via Facebook)
"Eradicating pointless judgment is at da veryyyyyyy top of my list! #ALLlivesmatter I can barely hold it in what this happy hippie is up toooooo!!!!!!! … We aren't free till we give everyone their own freedom! Don't get stuck in your head and your own right & wrong! LOVE LOVE & MORE LOVE is what we are desperate for!"
5. Beyoncé with BeyGOOD
Of course the flawless Beyoncé is also a major philanthropist. BeyGOOD is a philanthropic initiative that helps homeless and unemployed people as well as sick kids.
(via YouTube)
"As a young child I was blessed to have the support of my family who encouraged me to reach my goals. So many young people don't have this. I am honored to partner the #BeyGood campaign with the Prince's Trust to help young people beat the odds and create better lives for themselves."
6. Lady Gaga with the Born This Way Foundation
Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation hopes to create a kinder and braver world for future generations by supporting the wellness of all young people.
(via My Daily Cafe)
"My mother and I have initiated a passion project. We call it the Born This Way Foundation. Together we hope to establish a standard of Bravery and Kindness, as well as a community worldwide that protects and nurtures others in the face of bullying and abandonment."
7. Demi Lovato with Free the Children
Demi Lovato's work with Free the Children empowers women in communities around the world. For her 21st birthday Demi traveled to Kenya with the charity, and is now helping them build a Women's Empowerment Center there.
(via Wixyy)
"I knew traveling with Me to We and volunteering with Free the Children would give me the opportunity to have a life-changing experience I would never forget, with the people closest to me. Also having worked with the organization over this past year it's been great to see first-hand the wonderful work that is being done as a result of all the incredible efforts of young people around the nation."
8. Taylor Swift
Taylor's involved with too many causes to name, but most recently she donated all proceeds from "Welcome to New York" to the New York public school system. She's also supported Feeding America, UNICEF and Habitat for Humanity and so many more.
(via Hollywoood.com)
"I want to make the most of this cultural relevance or success or whatever you want to call it, because it's not going to last. I have to be as good a person [as I can] while my name still matters to them. Because it's not always going to matter to kids who are 15 and really struggling with who they want to be or [because] their friends were brutal to them at school that day. That's actual turmoil. I have to do everything I can to make their day better while I still can."
Which of these stars has left the biggest impact on you? Vote in our poll below and let us know your inspirations in the comments and at Sweety High.