2021 Warriors: The Women Fixing our World
While the world was burning, these lionesses courageously put themselves out there fix our broken system. Let's take a moment to take note and say thanks!
We all went through a lot in 2021 — what I’m calling the modern-day Ten Plagues, (even though, truth be told there are more than ten.) While we were surrounded by death, devastation, and existential threats, some women were out there fighting for change. Lionesses! I’ve collected some of my favorite warrior women and divided them into 9 categories:
Truth-tellers
Protectors
Justice-seekers
Creators
Barrier-breakers
Revolutionaries
Covid-fighters
Givers
Miracle Makers
These are some of their stories. (And there’s a little surprise at the end of the list….)
[Trigger warning: Many of my chosen heroines deal with difficult issues, like sexual abuse, incest, intimate partner violence, and murder. There are also references to anti-feminist and anti-LGBTQ legislation, and other triggering topics, like donald trump.]
(1) Truth-tellers
Amanda Gorman
The awe-inspiring poet who read at President Biden’s historic inauguration, Amanda Gorman gave words to what many people were seeing and experiencing.
Rachel Maddow
The ultimate Truth-Teller, nightly MSNBC news commentator Rachel Maddow has become an essential source of information, which she explains with clarity, integrity, and sanity.
Prof. Heather Cox Richardson
This brilliant historian similarly offers regular insight and commentary on American politics, explaining current events with an eye for detail, context, and justice. Her essays are essential reading.
Frances Haugen
This data engineer, scientist, and whistleblower told the world about how Facebook works, how it deliberately damaging the mental health of its users, especially young women and girls. She helped expose the cesspool of social media algorithms and policies and how they are hurting us all, vital information for controlling the mess our culture is in, and serves as a model to potential whistleblowers everywhere.
Peng Shuai
This Chinese tennis player revealed on social media that she was sexually assaulted by former vice premier Zhang Gaoli, the first woman to expose the sexual violence of a high-ranking member of the Communist Party of China. This act put her life in grave peril. We are still not sure what happened to her when she disappeared from the public eye for several weeks, though when she reappeared she had to deny the whole thing. Not good. She is a fierce warrior that the world needs.
Prof. Rebecca Solnit
Historian, researcher, social commentator, and feminist, Rebecca Solnit has an unparalleled ability to Break Things Down for us. Her book, Men Explain things to Me, is one of my all-time favorites. If you don’t understand what’s going on around you, follow her on social media and it will all become clear. And if you want to know who I am, I’m the person who wants to be Rebecca Solnit when I grow up.
Chanel Miller
The woman who was raped by Brock Turner brilliantly told her story in her book, Know my Name, one of the most captivating books I’ve read, which should become required reading everywhere. (I know it was a 2020 release, but I read it in 2021, and also her impact has a long tail into 2021 and hopefully beyond.) Chanel Miller has become a vocal and articulate advocate for justice and an inspiration for other victims to come forward with courage and without shame.
Hannah Dreyfus
If not for Hannah Dreyfus, the Jewish community would likely not know about the sexual abuse that is rampant in our organizations. She has been the fiercest writer on this beat, one of the only reporters willing to look under some heavy rocks, no matter what slime emerges.
bell hooks, RIP
bell hooks, the feminist thinker, author, and activist who died this year, changed our thinking about issues of race, power, and gender. She will be missed, but her legacy lives on.
(2) Protectors
Stacey Abrams
Let’s face it. Had it not been for Stacey Abrams, at least one of the Georgia run-off races would have gone red, and that would have been the end of a Democratic Senate. The path forward from there to a functional government is still much bumpier than we would have imagined (Manchin?! Sinema?! Geez louise). Nevertheless, Stacey Abrams’ status as Election Superhero is cemented for eternity.
PM Jacinda Arden
The Prime Minister of New Zealand had the whole Corona thing in control way before the rest of the world. And she did it often while hunkering down in her bedroom trying to get her toddler to sleep. Although the Zero Covid did not last, and some people were mad about their loved ones not being allowed in and other things, she is still the envy of much of the world and proof that women leaders can be super-badass AND extremely likeable at the same time! (Except maybe in America? Not sure yet.)
Chancellor (ret.) Angela Merkel
Outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the first woman in that post who held the position for 18 years despite being dismissed by men around the world and in her own party, was the penultimate leader during rough times. She led Germany and arguably Europe with a steady hand and great skill — even during turbulent Trumpian times — and her powerful leadership leaves a gaping hole in her wake.
Justice Sonia Sotomayer
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayer is speaking truth to power — and to the American people. She is fighting for the future of the Supreme Court, stepping out of the traditional roles of politically-neutral observers, because she believes democracy is in peril. We are all counting on her, but she seems to be counting on us as well.
Greta Thunberg
The great protector of The Earth, Greta Thunberg is not afraid of anything — not bullying presidents, not long boat rides, not even annoying interviewers. If humanity manages to get through the existential threat of climate change, it will be in large part thanks to Greta and her millions of fearless followers.
Lili Ben Ami
When Lili Ben Ami’s sister, Michal Sela, was brutally murdered by her husband, Lili immediately took action. She began a lobbying campaign in Israel to protect women in danger. She ran a hackathon to incentivize coders to create life-saving technology for women at risk. And she created The Michal Sela Forum to advocate for victims of intimate partner abuse. In 2021, she spoke at the UN, she was interviewed by Sheryl Sandberg, and is working on criticial legislation to make sure that convicted wife murderers do not retain parental rights. Her firy spirit as protector of her sister is a gift to women everywhere.
Roni Aloni Sadovnik
Lawyer Roni Aloni Sadovnik has a very specific clientele: survivors of incest. Herself a survivor, she fully understands what survivors go through and what they need. The former Jerusalem Councilwoman also has a powerful voice on social media and is the leading protector of people who have gone through some of the most unspeakable tortures.
(3) Justice seekers
Aly Raisman and friends
These power women led the fight for justice against Larry Nassar, who sexually abused dozens of athletes for decade. Thanks to the efforts of Raisman and other survivors, they received a $380 million settlement.
Megan Rapinoe
The leader of the Olympic-winning U.S. Women’s national soccer team, Megan Rapinoe helped file a lawsuit against the U.S. Soccer Federation in protest the fact that women athletes were earning less than male athletes. In September 2021 the women won — the U.S. Soccer Federation announced that it will offer the men’s and women’s team identical contracts. (Oh, and and the incredible Megan Rapinoe ALSO pulled an amazing, historic, physics-defying stunt in the 2021 Olympics called the ‘olimpico’ that even some of the greatest male soccer players have never done.)
Norwegian Women’s Beach Handball team
The Olympic team protested for the right to wear a sports uniform that is not sexually objectifying and uncomfortable — and they won. No more wedgies for the women while they are trying to hit the ball, and no more photographers ogling from behind instead of focusing on how the athletes play the game. We hope.
Naomi Osaka
The four-time Grand Slam tennis player protested the media-culture culture that athletes and celebrities face — especially female athletes when they are at their most vulnerable. As a result, she was first fined and then forced to quit Wimbledon. She paid a heavy price to raise this issue, and unfortunately the discussion that emerged was about her mental health rather than about the media.
Dassi Erlich, Nicole Myers, and Elly Sapper
These Australian sisters spent six years battling the Israeli justice system to extradite Malka Leifer, the headmistress who sexually abused them while the women were teenagers. After over 50 hearings, countless trips back and forth between the two countries, tireless efforts and online campaigns to #BringLeiferBack, Leifer was finally sent back to Australia in 2021 where she stands trial for over 70 counts of sexual assault, including 9 counts of rape. The sisters are powerful heroines and models for sexual assault survivors everywhere!
Heather Stone
Heather Stone, a leader of Democrats Abroad Israel as well as a disabilities activist and feminist activist, is on the forefront of the battle to save American democracy. Israel has one of the largest populations of American citizens outside of mainland America, and Heather has been working tirelessly to get them to vote blue. She has been my inspiration and also my friend.
Shira Isakov — and Adi Guzi
Shira was preparing Rosh Hashana dinner in Sept 2020 when her then-husband Aviad Moshe tried to kill her, beating her and stabbing her dozens of times in front of their toddler. Her next door neighbor Adi Guzi, who fearlessly ran into their home in the middle of the attack, probably saved her life. Shira’s life was hanging by a thread for weeks, but she eventually pulled through. After many surgeries, therapies, and rehabilitation, today she is physically well, and has been traveling the world — including to the UN — educating about domestic violence. She and Adi lit a flame on Independence Day.
Yael Sherer
A survivor-turned-film-maker-turned-advocate, Yael Sherer experienced incest and used her experiences to become one of the most resounding voices on behalf of sexual abuse survivors in Israel. She produced a powerful film about the issue, and later created the Sexual Abuse Lobby and speaks passionately about the issue as she advances change.
Sara Hoffman
If there are signs that rabbinic institutions are finally starting to take seriously the issue of sexual abuse among rabbis, it is in part because of the tireless efforts of women like Sara Hoffman, a victim-survivor of intense clergy abuse who came forward with her story and continues to hold rabbinic institutions accountable with clarity, detail, advocacy, and courage. She also continues to educate the public about what clergy abuse looks like.
(By now you’re probably noticing the main theme in my list here. Yes, I think the issue of sexual abuse may be having a moment in our culture. We can hope. If you’re okay with this, read on.)
(4) Creators
Nia DaCosta
The first Black woman director to have a film debut at number one at the U.S. domestic box office, Nia DaCosta created Candyman about the horrors of racial justice in America.
Chloé Zhao
The first woman of color and just the second woman ever to win an Oscar for Best Director, Chloe Zhao’s film, Nomandland, which addresses poverty in America, was also nominated in five other categories, and Zhao was the first woman to get four nominations in a single year.
Stephanie Land
Stephanie Land, writer of the semi-autobiographical book The Maid, which became a 2021 runaway hit on Netflix, shares her crushing tale of women facing violence, poverty, and homelessness in America. Although she was criticized for not adequately factoring in race, I think that her story still helps crack open these issues, especially the dynamics of emotional abuse and the impossibly endless piles of paperwork that vulnerable women are subjected to when their lives are at risk.
Sandra Bullock Nora Fingscheidt, Hillary Seitz, Courtenay Miles and Peter Craig
Lead actress, director, and writers of The Unforgivable, together they crafted a very powerful film about women and justice in America. And the twist at the end blew me away and changed so much of what we think we know about women in prison. As a bonus, Sandra Bullock showed what she is capable of as an actress, and brilliantly brought this whole subject to light. (It’s not OITNB, but a similar genre.)
Haifaa al-Mansour
Director Haifaa al-Mansour’s film, Wadjda, the first Saudi Arabian film by a woman, tells the semi-biographical story of a girl who wants to ride a bike, which is forbidden in her community. It’s a charming film that addresses a very serious issue — women’s lack of body autonomy in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere —from the perspective of a girl.
Emerald Fennell
Emerald Fennel, director of Promising Young Woman about the experiences of sexual abuse, won the Best Original Screenplay Oscar.
Michaela Coel
Producer and star of HBO limited series I May Destroy You received the Emmy for Writing in a Limited Series, becoming the first Black woman to win this award. She dedicated the prize to survivors of sexual abuse.
Susannah Grant et al
Creators of the series, Unbelievable, about how victims of sexual assault are systemically disbelieved. This is like Law and Order SVU in real life, what the world would be like without Olivia Benson, which is far more realistic than SVU, I’m sorry to say.
Devorah Blachor
Devorah Blachor is an author and activist who uses humor to fight for democracy, gender equality, and sanity. Her columns at McSweeney’s are a must read.
Loolwa Khazzoom
Loolwa is a firebrand of creativity fighting for women’s power, gender and ethnic equality, and justice for sexual abuse survivors. Her tools are her powerful music, books, and poetry which you can see here or on her band page, Iraqis in Pajamas.
(And full disclosure — I went to Barnard with Loolwa and Devorah. Cool, right?)
(5) Barrier-breakers
VP Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris is the first female American Vice President, first woman of color and woman of Indian descent in that position — and for 45 minutes one day in 2021, was the first woman to be President.
Deb Haaland
The first Indigenous member of the U.S. Cabinet, when Deb Haaland was sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris, she donned a ribbon skirt, earrings and bead necklace which paid homage to her Native heritage.
Janet Yellen
The first woman Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen offers a fresh voice on national debt and the economic aspects of climate change, structural racism and other inequities.
Kristen Clarke
Kristen Clarke is the first Black woman to lead the Justice Department’s Civil Rights division since the department was established in 1957.
PM Fiame Naomi Mata’afa
Samoa’s first woman prime minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa replaced the island’s leader of 22 years. On the day of her swearing-in ceremony, Mata’afa found that she had been locked out of the room where she was meant to be sworn in, and was forced to take the oath from a tent her followers pitched on the statehouse lawn.
Judge Martha Koome
Kenya’s first female chief justice, and the first woman to head a branch of the nation’s government.
Mary Simon
An Inuit advocate, Mary Simon became Canada’s first Indigenous governor general.
Simone Biles
It is not an exaggeration to say that Olympic gymnast Simone Biles is the penultimate athletic Greatest of All Time (GOAT). She has broken many records: among both men and women, she has the most world championship medals (25!) and the most gold medals (19); she holds the most all-around titles from world championships; and she has not one but FOUR moves named after her. Most of the top gymnasts in the world cannot do what she can do. She has changed the sport of gymnastics forever, and has debunked popular narratives about women and body strength.
Zaila Avant-garde
This brilliant and outrageously talented 14-year-old from Louisiana became the first African American winner of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. She also holds a few Guinness Book records in basketball. Ridiculously talented. I can’t stop watching. Grab a cup of coffee and look her up on Youtube. It is a far better distraction than cat videos. You can thank me later. (PS Zaila Avant-garde plans to work for NASA when she grows up!)
(6) Revolutionaries
SUDAN: Women leading revolution
The military takeover of Sudan poses a direct threat to the advances that women have achieved in the struggle for their rights since since the 2019 fall of former dictator Omar al-Bashir. Sudanese women were at the forefront of the popular revolution that toppled Bashir, and have since become increasingly present and visible in the public sphere, including as members and leaders of Sudan’s democracy movement and human rights organizations. Women pushed an agenda to put the country on the right track to reach gender equality, which is now at risk. Women have again taken on a key role in opposing the military rule, and they need our support.
GHANA: Rita Nketiah
Dr. Rita Nketiah, a researcher in the Women’s Rights Division at Human Rights Watch, has been on the forefront of the fight against regressive Ghanian politics around gender and sexuality, such as anti-LGBT laws and child marriage. This is key since Ghana has been regressing on gender issues, for example with their proposed 2021 anti-LGBTQ law.
AFGHANISTAN: Habiba Sarabi, Sharifa Zurmati Wardak, Fatima Gailani and Fawzia Koofi
Following the American pullout from Afghanistan, four women have been part of Afghanistan’s negotiation team, hoping to preserve the progress Afghan women made in recent years. They are bravely fighting for the rights of all Afghan women that are currently in grave peril.
Special shout out to Israeli MK Gaby Laski, the only member of Israeli parliament that urged the Israeli government to rescue Afghani women. For that she received death threats from members of the right-wing opposition.
ISRAEL/PALESTINE: Ghadir Hani
Ghadir Hani fights for peace every moment of her day — whether riding the train, sitting in Knesset meetings, or chatting with people in the supermarket. The feminist Palestinian Bedouin activist from Beersheva brings hope and humor to her many activities. And for that — she was personally targeted in ads by right-wing political groups designating her as an enemy of the people. Those kinds of dangerous, life-threatening ads are the real fake-news. The world needs more peaceful fighters like her.
I/P: Leah Solomon
Chief Education Officer of Encounter programs in Israel, Leah Solomon is dedicating her life to resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict by making Israelis, Jews, and English-speakers from around the world more aware of the real lives and perspectives of Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza. Her tours, insights, and social media updates are full of compassion, vision, and important perspectives that many people around the world are unaware of.
(7) Covid Scientists
Dr. Lisa Jackson
Dr. Lisa Jackson was the principal investigator of the world’s first clinical trial of a COVID-19 vaccine (for Moderna).
Nita Patel
This scientist led an all-women team of scientists in Maryland to develop a Covid vaccine for Novavax.
Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett
An immunologist at the U.S. National Institutes of Health, Dr. Corbett helped develop the mRNA technology used in the Moderna vaccine and is helping tackle vaccine hesitancy.
Katalin Karikó
Researcher Katalin Kariko spent decades on research that laid the groundwork for creating the mRNA vaccines.
Mary W. Jackson
Thought not a Covid scientist, Mary W. Jackson made important news in 2021. The mathematician and aerospace engineer was NASA's First Female African American Engineer. She ,worked in NASA’s Theoretical Performance Group, High Speed Aircraft Division, and Office of Director for Aeronautics. In February 2021, the NASA Headquarters Building in Washington D.C. was officially renamed after Jackson, which was a first in many ways and a model for girls in STEM — especially girls of color dreaming about a career in science. Also worth noting, in 2019, she was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. So that happened.
(8) Givers
Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton is not only a Guinness-book record-breaking star with seven decades of achievements. She is also a great philanthropist. She famously supports literacy among vulnerable kids, and the LGBTQ community. This year she really came through during the pandemic supporting the development of vaccines.
Pink
Anyone who has followed me knows that Pink is my goto feminist artist. A celebrity who does not shy away from political activism, she embodies fighter in her entire being. Plus, her song “Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken” has gotten me through much of the trump era. She gets special place on this list, however, for what she did for the Norwegian Beach Handball team. When the team was fined for not adhering to sexually objectifying uniforms, Pink offered to proudly pay the fine for them. Sisterhood!! I love Pink.
Naomi Eisenberger
Naomi Eisenberger runs the Good People Fund, which is exactly what it sounds like. She and her group of good people seek out the other good people of the world, and work to ensure that they have funding for their vital ideas.
Barbara Dobkin
Barbara Dobkin is on the forefront of feminist philanthropy, and has been influential in establishing many vital feminist organizations and initiatives, especially in the Jewish world.
(9) Miracle Makers
Nancy Pelosi
Getting any of President Biden’s agenda passed in today’s Congress — despite the seemingly Democratic majorities — is nothing short of a miracle. If it gets done — we have Nancy Pelosi Miracle Worker to thank.
My daughter, Avigayil!
Finally, the greatest miracle worker in my 2021 world is my daughter, Avigayil, who carried two 3-kilo babies to term and gave birth during a pandemic and while under rocket fire. Lots and lots of miracles!!! I’m in awe…..and in love….
Next generation lionesses perhaps?
Thank you to all these fighting heroine lionesses warriors of 2021!! The world owes you all our gratitude and respect!!
Who are your fighter heroines of 2021? Share!
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