WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS WHO CHANGED THE WORLD
Not long ago, women were considered homemakers, child bearers and little else. Even after women started to achieve freedom it was often difficult for them to be taken seriously. Now, decades after women started winning rights they deserve, the world of business is full of female entrepreneurs that are powerful and influential to say the least.
These women are icons of empowerment, and discussing their success is an important way to celebrate their victory in the face of untold obstacles. It is now becoming clearer than ever that women actually can do whatever they set their mind to, just like men can.
These are examples of such great women:
- Madam C.J. Walker (1867-1919): Madam C. J. Walker was an American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and political and social activist. She is recorded as the first female self-made millionaire in America in the Guinness Book of World Records. Multiple sources mention that although other women might have been the first, their wealth is not as well-documented. Walker made her fortune by developing and marketing a line of cosmetics and hair care products for black women through the business she founded, Madam C. J. Walker Manufacturing Company.
- K. Rowling: , Joanne Rowling, better known by her pen name J. K. Rowling, is a British author, screenwriter, producer, and philanthropist. She is best known for writing the Harry Potter fantasy series, which has won multiple awards and sold more than 500 million copies, becoming the best-selling book series in history. The books are the basis of a popular film series, over which Rowling had overall approval on the scripts and was a producer on the final films. She also writes crime fiction under the pen name Robert Galbraith.
- Coco Channel: Gabrielle Bonheur “Coco” Chanel was a French fashion designer, and businesswoman. The founder and namesake of the Chanel brand, she was credited in the post-World War I era with liberating women from the constraints of the “corseted silhouette” and popularizing a sporty, casual chic as the feminine standard of style. A prolific fashion creator, Chanel extended her influence beyond couture clothing, realizing her design aesthetic in jewellery, handbags, and fragrance. Her signature scent, Chanel No. 5, has become an iconic product. She is the only fashion designer listed on Time magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century.
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JAF Kitchen Coming Close to You
JAF Kitchen Coming Close to You
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International Women’s Day reflection
It’s been 2days since International Women’s Day, but the thoughts, feelings, and inspiration of this annual celebration are still very present in our minds. The past years have been a true testament to the strength, capability, and power of women. It has also shown that, yes, we have more work to do. We have noticed and seen more and more women supporting each other in many different capacities both in personal life and in professional life.
International Women’s Day has also helped us to reflect on the changing female role in society and our momentous social, economic, and political achievements. It is a day to also appreciate women who have taught us, led us, and influenced us to live to our fullest potential.
In celebration of this noble day, organizations around the world organized events focused on themes that reflect the local, national, and global gender issues relevant to their work and contexts.
The global community is increasingly aware that educating girls and women helps the whole of humanity, with women empowerment linked to the alleviation of a host of serious problems facing the world such as poverty, war and the environment. As Hillary Clinton said at the UN Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, “human rights are women’s rights … and women’s rights are human rights.”
We are proud of women who have risen against all odds even in the male dominated profession, women such as Mrs. Folorunso Alakija, Group Managing Director, Rose of Sharon Group, Mrs. Demuren, First female Director, Central Bank of Nigeria. Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, Chairperson, Board of Directors, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Engr. Sandra Aguebo(Lady Mechanic) to mention a few
Here at Joan Agha Foundation, we are passionate about women development and empowerment through our various interventions aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs to be financially self sustainable and with the just concluded International Women’s Day, what better way to recollect and share some of the great strides women all over the continent have made.
In India, Meenakshi Arora, A senior counsel at the Supreme Court of India, has her fair share of contribution in ensuring that the rights of women in India are upheld and challenging the status quo for gender equality. In Nigeria, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili , She was a co-founder of Transparency International, serving as one of the pioneer directors of the global anti-corruption body based in Berlin, Germany will stop at nothing to ensure accountability in governance to mention a few.
It is so encouraging to have women role models. We are reminded every day that women can do anything. Together, they are a force to be reckoned with and can BE BOLD FOR CHANGE.
Sources: http://www.feminist.com/intlwomensday.html , https://www.justice.gov/archives/ovw/blog/international-women-s-day-opportunity-reflection-and-inspiration , https://www.scoopwhoop.com/inothernews/women-who-shaped-the-feminist-movement-in-india/#.04folyb9s
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