Women Activists

Activism is defined as “vigorous action or involvement as a means of achieving goals.”

When we hear the term “women activist,” we generally think of names like Gloria Steinem and bell hooks.

But there’s a new generation of activists, who are just as fired up as those before them.

Here are a few examples of inspiring, passionate women:

As a child, activist and psychologist Dr. Jana Kohl lobbied against a rule that forbade girls from wearing pants to school. These days, she fights for orphaned children and against animal abuse.

“Whether it’s a seemingly small issue or a big one, I’m not afraid to say the emperor has no clothes,” she says.

Shelby Knox is best known for her Sundance award-winning film The Education of Shelby Knox, chronicling her teenage sex education activism. Currently, she promotes sex health and equal rights.

Alyssa Bisanz began her activism at age 15, when she used her birthday money to fund 500 disaster preparedness kits for victims of Hurricane Katrina. She recently received the Truman Scholarship for her advocacy for students of color and college completion.

At age five, Alexandra Francis wrote a letter to President Clinton about world peace. He personally responded, encouraging her to remain involved. She now leads a chapter of Global Zero, an organization that fights to eliminate nuclear weapons.

Interested in becoming an activist? The UMBC provides a list of women-related activism organizations for all passions – from supporting the advancement of Arab women and reproductive health, to Title IX and sexual violence.

Bonus PINK Link: Read about activist Jane Fonda in our exclusive profile.

Do you fight for a cause? and let us know!

By Farren Davis

“How wonderful that no one need wait a single moment to improve the world.”
Anne Frank