International Women's Day 2025 campaign theme: “For ALL women and girls: Rights.Equality.Empowerment.” This year's theme calls for action that can unlock equal rights, power and opportunities for all and a feminist future where no one is left behind.
Credit: VICTORIA PICKERING (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) VIA FLICKR
Watch these selected SHORT winning films celebrating women working for equality.
Simone Biles Rising
By: Katie Walsh
Witness unprecedented access to the most powerful comeback in sports, in Simone Biles Rising. Journey into the world of Simone as she grapples with vulnerability and self-doubt, redefining what it means to be a champion on her own terms.
I'll take it from here... Because I'm a Girl
By: Raj Yagnik, Shona Hamilton
One in three girls around the world is denied an education by the daily realities of poverty, conflict or discrimination.
Eva Haller: A Work in Progress
By: Jeanne Meyers
A life dedicated to philanthropy, activism and mentorship, Eva Haller makes a positive impact around the world.
She is Us: The Story of Judge Songhai Armstead (excerpt)
By: Samara Hutman, C. Lily Ericsson
The Story of Judge Songhai Armstead is an animated film that chronicles the extraordinary story of social justice warrior Songhai Armstead. (6 mins)
Want more information? Read these short stories about the heroes depicted in the films:
Eva Haller
By: Jeanne Meyers
Charlayne Hunter-Gault: Activist and Journalist
By: Abigail Richardson
Charlayne Hunter-Gault is a pioneering journalist and civil rights activist whose life and career have been marked by breaking barriers and championing equality.
Judge Songhai Armstead
By: Abigail Richardson
Judge Songhai Armstead was a judge on the Superior Court of Los Angeles County in California.
Check out this two minute film made by Abbigail, an elementary school student, and a MY HERO story honoring her STEM Hero, Joy Buolamwini
Joy Buolamwini
By: Abbigail Mira - Ascot Avenue Elementary School
This film was made by Ascot Avenue Elementary student Abbigail Mira.
Dr. Joy Buolamwini: Digital Activist
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read about Dr. Joy Buolamwini, the computer scientist fighting against algorithmic bias.
Films from our Library
These films feature remarkable women who are having a powerful positive impact in their communities and in the world.
Daga - A Woman’s Fight to Empower Girls in her Village
By: Fama Ndiaye
In southern Senegal, Daga Baldé, a local leader in her community, is a passionate advocate for girls’ and women’s education.
Keiko Fukazawa
By: Anabelle Vo & Margot Bennett
Keiko Fukazawa uses her art to address an issue that has greatly impacted the quality of life in America: gun violence.
Yasmine Sherif Global Educator Award Winner
Kitty Richardson
Congratulations to Yasmine Sherif, the Director of Education Cannot Wait and the winner of the 2020 Global Educator Award.
My Hero - Simone Biles
By: Addyson Finley, Kenadi Oldham - Lora Batchelor Middle School
This is a documentary about Olympic star Simone Biles.
Malala: The Story of a Hero
Produced by:Lora Batchelor Middle School
This is a video about Malala Yousafzai and how she stood up for women's rights.
Is the Taliban's return the end of music in Afghanistan?
Cormac Walter O'Brien
"As the Taliban take control, members of 'Zohra', Afghanistan's first all-female orchestra, wonder what's next for their music and rights as women.
Oumy
Produced by:Cheikh Seck (Mentor)
A film about Oumy, a junior high student from Dakar, Senegal. Oumy speaks about her pursuit of education and the hardships that women in her country face.
Marian Anderson
By: Stew Hvidston
This short video on singer Marian Anderson was made by MY HERO Intern Stew Hvidston.
A montage celebrating great women in history
A montage celebrating great women for women's history month!
Women's History Month
Stories
These present-day heroes follow their passions in supporting and pursuing women's rights and equality, both globally and in their own communities.
Simone Biles: The Most Decorated Gymnast in History
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read this story about Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history
Dolly Parton: A Life of Giving Back
By: Abigail Richardson
Parton has dedicated significant time and resources to philanthropy, supporting causes related to education, healthcare and community well-being.
Tige Charity and KITS
By: Abigail Richardson
Tige Charity, originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and who now resides in Los Angeles, is the founder of Kids in the Spotlight, Inc. (KITS).
Lekha Singh
By: Abigail Richardson
Lekha Singh is a fine art photographer, filmmaker, and activist.
Helen Greiner: Roboticist and Co-Founder of iRobot
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read about roboticist and co-founder of iRobot, Helen Greiner.
Geeta Mehta
By: Abigail Richardson
Geeta Mehta is an Indian-American social entrepreneur, urban designer, architect, and author.
Dr. Helen Rodriguez-Trias
By: Naomi Gledhill
Sheryl Sandberg: Tech Exec, Author, and Women's Rights Advocate
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read this story about technology executive, author, and philanthropist Sheryl Sandberg.
Maria Toorpakai Wazir: Empowering Women Through Sport
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read about Maria Toorpakai Wazir, a professional squash player who had to overcome incredible challenges in order to achieve her dreams. She now paves the way for others to do the same.
Nelly Cheboi: CNN’s Hero of the Year 2022
By: Naomi Gledhill
Julia Mintz: Director of 'Four Winters'
By: Naomi Gledhill
Julia Mintz is a writer, producer and director of a feature documentary on the Jewish Resistance movement during WWII, "Four Winters."
Susan Faludi: Pulitzer Prize-winning Journalist
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read this story about feminist and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Susan Faludi.
Murrawah Maroochy Johnson
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read this story about Murrawah Maroochy Johnson, one of the 2024 Goldman Environmental Prize winners.
Angela Duckworth
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read this story about American psychologist and author, Angela Duckworth.
Geena Davis: Fighting for Equal Representation
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read about Geena Davis, the Academy Award winning actor and activist fighting for equal representation in media.
Alyssa Carson: A Future in Mars
By: Jennifer Yoshikoshi
Amal Clooney
By: Abigail Richardson
Amal Clooney is co-founder, along with her husband George, of the Clooney Foundation for Justice.
Dr. Jessica Wade: Pioneering British Physicist and STEM Advocate
By: Abigail Richardson
Dr. Jess Wade is a British physicist and activist known for her work in organic electronics and her advocacy for diversity and inclusion in science.
Janet Yang
By: Abigail Richardson
A celebrated American film producer whose career spans decades and has had a significant impact on Hollywood and beyond.
Memory Banda: A Voice for Girls’ Rights and the Fight Against Child Marriage
By: Abigail Richardson
Memory Banda, a renowned activist from Malawi, has become a powerful advocate for girls' rights.
Medea Benjamin
By: Abigail Richardson
Cole Brauer - An Inspiration for Women
By: Abigail Richardson
Cole Brauer is a pioneering figure in the sailing world; she has navigated uncharted waters, shattered stereotypes, and is an inspiration for women.
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter: Empowering Change Through BeyGood Charity
By: Abigail Richardson
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, born September 4, 1981, is an American singer, songwriter, philanthropist and businesswoman.
Dr. Mandeep Rai – MY HERO's 2022 Global Educator
By: Abigail Richardson
Dr. Rai, author of The Values Compass wins MY HERO 2022 Global Educator Award.
Pashtana Durrani
By: Deborah Neff
Pashtana Durrani, who received the Malala Fund Education Champion award for her work on behalf of education for Afghan girls, is determined to continue providing educational opportunities for women and girls, even if she has to resist the Taliban and go underground.
Samar Minallah Khan
By: Abigail Richardson
Samar is a filmmaker, anthropologist and activist. In the media, she has been referred to as ‘The Savior of Souls,’ one of the ‘Women who rock the world,’ ‘The Crusader with the Camera’ and the ‘Women that changed Pakistan.’
Dr. Sakena Yacoobi, Hero and ‘Mother of Afghan Education’
By: Abigail Richardson
Shree Bose: Scientist, Inventor and Member of Forbes 2023 30 Under 30
By: Naomi Gledhill
Shree Bose is an American scientist, currently working towards an MD from the Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina, and has been included in Forbes’ 2023 30 Under 30 list
Yasmine Sherif: Winner of the 2020 Global Educator Award
By: Shannon Luders-Manuel
Yasmine Sherif, who leads Education Cannot Wait, is the winner of MY HERO's 2020 Global Educator Award.
Malala Yousafzai: The One With a Voice
By: Alex Zakoor
Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani activist for girls' education and the youngest winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.
Sahraa Karimi
By: Deborah Neff
Afghan filmmaker Sahraa Karimi speaks out about the future of Afghan cinema and the rights of girls and women as the Taliban takes over the country in August 2021.
2019 MY HERO Global Educator Award Winner Melinda Gates
By: Betty Bailey
Melinda Gates' women heroes in Africa and India teach her how to uplift the women in their communities through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Sangeetha Sekar
By: Mohit Arora, Aishwarya Ashok, Shikha Kumari
Sangeetha Sekar is an award-winning soccer player (footballer) who lives on the streets with her family in Chennai, India.
Shirin Ebadi
By: Chloe McGee
Shirin Ebadi, an Iranian lawyer and former judge, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003 for fighting for the rights of women, children and refugees.
Listen & Read Along
Raden Adjeng Kartini
By: Ines from Jakarta
Raden Adjeng Kartini championed education and civil rights for women in Indonesia.
The Unladylike Series Celebrating Influential Women
UNLADYLIKE2020 is an innovative multimedia series featuring diverse and little-known, trend-setting American heroines from the early years of feminism, and the women who follow in their footsteps.
Eva Haller Salon (excerpt) - BlackHERstory ft UNLADYLIKE2020
Produced by:Eva Haller
Eva Haller hosts guests from the MY HERO Team to celebrate Women's History Month joined by Charlotte Mangin and Sandra Rattley from the UNLADYLIKE2020 Project
UNLADYLIKE2020: Bessie Coleman
Bessie Coleman wanted to become an aviator. Rejected from every U.S. aviation school for being a woman and black, she refused to take no for an answer.
UNLADYLIKE2020: Margaret Chung
Margaret Chung aka "Mike" aka "Mom Chung of the Fair Haired Bastards," was the only woman in her med school class. She advanced women's ability to serve in the armed forces.
UNLADYLIKE2020: Ynes Mexia
A late bloomer, botanist Ynes Mexia enrolled in college at the age of 51. She led expeditions, including in the Amazon rainforest, discovering 500 new species of plants.
Art
Untitled
By: Clementine Hunter
Artwork by artist Clementine Hunter, 1981.
Katherine Johnson
By: Saint George
Katherine Coleman Goble Johnson is an African-American physicist and mathematician who made contributions to the United States' aeronautics and space programs with the early application of digital electronic computers at NASA
UN International Women's Day