Bella Abzug
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Bella Abzug (July 24th 1920 - March 31st 1998) was a politician and liberalist known for her activism for women's rights and the Civil Rights movement in the 1960's and 70's.
She helped create the National Women's Political Caucus and served in the House of Representatives from 1971 to 1977. She also was involved in the anti-nuclear peace movements and was a key figure in the Women's Strike for Peace (1961).
She was a daughter to Russian Immigrants and grew up in the Bronx, New York. She graduated in Law from Columbia University, having been rejected by Harvard Law due to her gender.
She started her law career in Labor Law, then moved on to helping in the Civil Rights movement. She gained notoriety working on the Willie McGee case, an African American Man convicted of raping a white woman in Mississippi, with many believing he was innocent. Azbug stood defiant in the threat posed from white supermacists in defending her client.
She fought continually for Women's rights and Civil Rights throughout her career. In 1975 she made history and intorudced the first gay rights bill in Congress. Widely respected in Washington, she was a pioneer.
Sojourner Truth
Sojourner Truth (born Isabella Baumfree, 1979 - November 26th 1883) was an African-American abolitionist known for her fight against oppression and an advocate of gender equality.
Born into slavery, she escaped with her daughter at the age of 29 in 1886. She then went to court in 1886 to recover her son from slavery, the first case in American history of a black woman to win a case against a white man.
She delivered her infamous speech, 'Ain't I a Woman?' at the Ohio Women's Rights Convention in 1851.
She was relentless in her fight for racial and gender equality, recruiting black troops for the Union Army whilst she tried to secure land for former slaves after abolition.
She was publicly recognised by President Abraham Lincoln, who invited her to the White House in 1864.
What a powerful woman!
Dr martin luther king
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Martin Luther King, Jr was a civil rights activist, born in January 15th 1929. He was assassinated in Memphis on April 4th 1968.
He was critical to the movement that ended the legal segregation of African Americans in the South and other parts of the United States.
He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. He became an iconic spokesman in the fight for equality, inspired by Gandhi for his non-violent activism.
King organised and led protests for African Americans labour rights, desegregation and rights to vote. He led the 1955 Montgomery bus boycott and famously delivered his 'I Have A Dream' speech on the steps of Lincoln Memorial during his march in Washington.
It's hard to imagine what the world would look like without him. An Icon and Inspiration who's selflessness has impacted us all greatly.
Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, Porbandar, India and died on January 30, 1948, Delhi)
He was an Indian lawyer, politician, social activist, and writer who became the leader of the nationalist movement against the British rule of India. To many he became to be considered the father of his country. Gandhi is internationally praised for his belief of nonviolent protest (satyagraha) to achieve political and social progress, which would go on to influence the world.
It was in South Africa where Gandhi would experience racial prejudice and would begin his lifelong dedication in the fight for civil rights of Indians.
He was assassinated in 1948, but his teachings would inspire historical titans like Nelson Mandela, Dr Martin Luther King Jr and Albert Einstein, to name a few.
Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai is an activist for female education and a Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2014, making her the youngest person ever to win this accolade.
Known for her advocacy of human rights and especially her activism for the education of women's rights, Malala is a true global role model.
On 9th October 2012, Malala shot in the head in a targeted assassination atempt from the Taliban sparking an international outpouring of support for her.
After recovering in the UK and continuing her education in Birmingham, Malala won a place at Oxford University and undertook three years of study for a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE), as an undergraduate at Lady Margaret Hall, a college of the university. She graduated in 2020.
She co-founded the Malala Fund, a non-profit organisation. Malala Yousafzai's role in voicing her opinion on equality has made her an international figure. A true Influencer, we thank you Malala for all your selfless actions, you truly are an inspiration to us all.