International Women's Day: 11 Women Who Are Changing The World (PHOTOS)

Today is International Women's Day. March 8 is set aside to commemorate the achievements of women in politics, science and social change.

At HuffPost Impact, we wanted to recognize a number of women who have been essential voices for positive change. Some have fought for universal human rights, some have moved to get women more involved in politics. Nearly all have surprised the world with their bravery and resilience. All are strongly independent, intelligent, courageous and innovative.

Check out the list, then click "Participate" and include a woman that you think is changing the world.

 

Know an inspiring woman we don't have here? Submit her to the list!

Women Who Are Changing The World

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Nujood Ali

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Yemeni girl Nujood Ali was 10 years old when she was forced to marry a man over 20 years her senior. She managed to find a lawyer and achieve a divorce, making her an international heroine in the fight for women's rights in the Middle East. She's now a bestselling author -- her autobiography, "I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced," is available now.

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Yemeni girl Nujood Ali was 10 years old when she was forced to marry a man over 20 years her senior. She managed to find a lawyer and achieve a divorce, making her an international heroine in the fight for women's rights in the Middle East. She's now a bestselling author -- her autobiography, "I Am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced," is available now.

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Comments

[infidel2]

10:33 AM on 03/15/2010

Quite the interesting line-up. I'd add Hilary Clinton and Aayan Hirsi Ali to the list.....Go Rachel , Go Rachel.....

[JoannaL]

03:08 PM on 03/11/2010

I was very moved by Somaly Mam's experience. Tyra Banks handled the interview quite well, and I'm glad she emphasized how alive this young woman, who, sadly, says she feels dead, is in the wonderful positive work she is doing. However, I do not subscribe to Tyra's belief that what happened to Somaly "happened for a reason," implying some divine purpose behind the horrible abuse this innocent young girl was subjected to. No, the only reason was the trickery, deceit, selfishness, cruelty, greed, and disregard of the defenseless that the abuser employed. But Somaly herself turned this unfathomably terrible experience into something positive and beautiful in her willingness to tell her painful story and do everything she can to save others from having a similar experience.

[Truongson Huynh]

11:30 PM on 03/09/2010

Tyra Banks made it to this list-->??? in the same league as Samantha Power and Rachel Maddow and the prime minister of Iceland?

[Wealer]

10:59 AM on 03/09/2010

I'm wondering if we truly aren't past this and women are well into a renaissance already. This nomination was not the big deal that Streisand's non-nomination was and was generally accepted that Ms. Bigelow stood a very good chance of winning and more importantly, winning on MERIT alone. It was only in the days leading up to the actual ceremony (and following Director's Guild win) that people sort of noticed she was a woman and that she might be the first woman to receive the best director's statue. I think THAT's the real story.

[Artemis34]

02:53 AM on 03/09/2010

Trailblazing is important.

[AirViceMarshalPark]

12:49 AM on 03/09/2010

Nujood should have been invited onto the Red Carpet; that was clearly the best dress of the evening.

Everything else looked like beige wall paint from the 1970s.

[chuck prebys]

10:54 PM on 03/08/2010

Women should just take over the world and get rid of all men.
Men aren't necessary anymore anyway.
Men are bad and the root of all ev_il on earth.
Mechanical leverage can do the heavy work.
Science can take care of the procreation side.
It would be just like this movie:
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/boy_and_his_dog/
So get to it women.
You really don't need us anymore anyway.

[CatHead]

12:36 AM on 03/09/2010

Hey, hey, hey...wait a d_mn minute, boy. Speak for yourself. I vote to stay on the island...

[Artemis34]

02:47 AM on 03/09/2010

As Sylvia would say "Mercy, it is the revolution and I'm in my bathrobe!"

[McJeff]

10:34 PM on 03/08/2010

How exactly is Bigelow changing the world by making violent movies? Look at her filmography. Other than Hurt Locker, most of the movies she's made are violent thriller murder death kill movies. And that's changing the world how exactly?

So many other women could have and should have made this list. Why her. Winning an Oscar does nothing for the world.

[ForVivi]

08:57 PM on 03/08/2010

I nominate the women who are changing the world in their daily lives by the decisions they make for themselves, their families and their communities.

[Johnnyash]

08:52 PM on 03/08/2010

What, no Sarah Palin? Or is this list only for "elitists" who are making changes for the "better"

[FrTown]

08:06 PM on 03/08/2010

So, among 3+ billion women, only 11 are making a difference?!?
How shallow and simplistic.
But if you read between the lines, the message is clear. Bash some religion and sugar coat it with other "prominent" western women to throw off the readers.

[skantea]

08:01 PM on 03/08/2010

Enough of this beauty, Brains and Talent. Bring us more Snookie gossip!

/Just trying to make a point...

[munki]

08:12 PM on 03/08/2010

YES, to make a point!

Historically, women have been suppressed by political, religious, social and economical so called "discrimination". These women fought NOT only glass ceiling, but all pressures!

Especially in some countries with no respect to equal freedom or rights to women!

That is the point! NO MORE teachings for women to be submissive housewives!
Not a reproductive ... (u can guess)

[hkochii]

07:31 PM on 03/08/2010

Women who behave themselves never make history!

[kcnewhaven]

10:44 AM on 03/09/2010

I BEG TO DIFFER

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/08/uconn-wins-ncaa-record-71_n_491032.html

[LMPE]

07:06 PM on 03/08/2010

Do Amy Goodman and Samantha Bee count?

[lagumbo]

05:34 PM on 03/08/2010

Dr. Rachel Maddow is the bomb. She , every night on her show teaches what journaliism really is.