Where do we go looking for the women that society erased? The 16th century poets or contemporary Middle Eastern composers who leave this world with their music still imprisoned inside them? In Alice Walker’s moving essay, In Search Of Our Mothers Gardens, she suggests that we must look to the female leaders of today, each of whom are the fruits of their ancestors’ stifled creativity.
And so this International Women’s Day, we’d like to draw attention to 5 international change-makers. A mix of creatives, founders and activists, they are the women our grandmothers always dreamed of becoming. And while many hail from different countries, they are all united in finding ways to reshape the world so it can be examined anew in the brilliant light of the female perspective.
ALICE CARVALHO
Who is she? A Brazilian actress, screenwriter and all-round word wizard, Carvalho has transformed the editorial landscape with her fearless poetry that demands equality as the only truth worth having.
Currently working on… Series two of her award-winning web series “Septo” that reclaims lesbian stories from the over-sexualised male gaze.
Where can I find her? On Instagram at @carvalhoalice.
check warner
Who is she? One of the co-founders of ADA Ventures, a venture capital company that seeks to invest in minority founders and markets.
Currently working on… supporting a variety of up-and-coming FemTech’s, one of which hopes to increase fertility prospects through study of the vaginal microbiome.
Where can I find her? On Medium at @checkwarner where she breaks down the esoteric world of investment-raising into easy-to-read blogs.
Tarana burke
Who is she? The original founder of the #MeToo movement and founder of the Just Be Inc, a non-profit organisation that seeks to provide support for victims of sexual assault.
Currently working on… a memoir that should be available by the end of 2020.
Where can I find her? On Twitter and Instagram at @TaranaBurke and @TaranaJaneen respectively.
PETRA COSTA
Who is she? An Oscar-nominated Brazilian filmmaker who’s riveting documentary Edge of Democracy tracks the corruptions and contradictions of politics in the world’s fifth-largest democracy.
Currently working on… reconnecting with the nuance of the written word while touring the US to discuss the ongoing impact of her latest documentary.
Where can you find her? Costa is most active on Twitter, where she goes by the handle @petracostal.
THE SLUMFLOWER AKA CHIDERA EGGERUE
Who is she? An author and influencer whose work on self-love and dating represents an exciting new wave of contemporary feminism.
Currently working on… promoting her latest book “How To Get Over A Boy”.
Where can I find her? On Instagram at @theslumflower where she regularly hosts Instagram lives.
THE MOTHERSHIP 