London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Monday, Mar 09, 2026

International Women's Day: 12 Powerful Role "Models"

International Women's Day: 12 Powerful Role "Models"

Happy International Women's Day! Here are twelve women we are celebrating today, wearing stunning Fall fashions.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg in Tom Ford

                        

Ruth Bader Ginsburg has served as a Supreme Court Justice since 1993, after being appointed by President Bill Clinton. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and went on to receive her a law degree from Columbia University, graduating first in her class. Much of Ginsberg’s legal career was spent advocating for gender equality and women’s rights. Because of this, she has become a pop culture icon in today’s feminist movement and has most recently been the subject of a documentary, RBG, and a drama, On the Basis of Sex.

Gloria Steinem in Valentino

                        

Gloria Steinem’s job titles include writer, lecturer, and political activist, but we know her best as one of the leader’s of the American feminist movement in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. Steinem has dedicated her life to fighting for women’s rights, forming the National Women’s Political Caucus in 1972. To this day, the organization continues to support gender equality and to ensure the election of more pro-equality women to public office. Other organizations Steinem has co-founded in her vast career include the Women’s Action Alliance, which promotes non-sexist, multiracial children’s education; the Women’s Media Center to promote positive images of women in media; Voters for Choice, a pro-choice political action committee; and the Ms. Foundation for Women. In the 1990s, she helped establish Take Our Daughters to Work Day, the first national effort to empower young girls to learn about career opportunities.

Yoko Ono in Christopher Kane

                        

Yoko Ono is often robbed of her identity as a female artist and regarded only as John Lennon’s widow, or nearly as frequently, demonized as the woman who broke up the Beatles.”It’s important to know that Ono’s character goes far beyond that. The Japanese multimedia artist is known for her music, installations, and activism often uses her music and performance art to address feminist concerns. Notably, her performance entitled Cut Piece explored power dynamics, gender inequality, violence and victimization, and cultural identity, all of which are feminist issues that remain relevant today. Ultimately, in Cut Piece and throughout all of her work, Ono explored themes that are still at the forefront of feminist thought today.

Janet Mock in Alexander McQueen

                        

Janet Mock is a trans activist using her writing and other various multi-media platforms to destigmatize being transgender. After coming out publicly as a trans woman in 2011 via Marie Claire, Mock signed her first book deal which became her memoir Redefining Realness. The book quickly landed itself on the New York Times’ best-seller list. Mock also has produced films such as The Trans List which premiered on HBO in 2016 as well as Pose, a show that follows the lives of five trans-women that premiered in 2018 on FX. Mock is a writer, director, and producer on the show, and is the first trans woman of color hired as a writer for a TV series in history.

Frida Kahlo in Erdem

                        

Frida Kahlo was a fierce Mexican painter who confronted gender politics way before their time. Kahlo not only defied gender stereotypes by wearing suits and refusing to alter her masculine features but also was openly bisexual. The artist often deviated from the traditional depiction of female beauty in her paintings and instead opted to paint real women and their life experiences such as abortion and miscarriage. It is also important to know that Kahlo was extremely politically active. Born in a country based on tradition and Catholicism, Frida was openly atheist and actively involved in the communist party.

Dolly Parton in Collina Strada

                        

Dolly Parton is a singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, record producer, actress, author, businesswoman, and philanthropist, known primarily for her work in country music. Within the industry, Parton has had success like no other; she currently holds 25 RIAA certified gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards and nine Grammy Awards. Parton is one of only seven female artists to win the Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year Award. Since the mid-1980s, Parton has supported many charitable efforts, particularly in the area of literacy, primarily through her Dollywood Foundation. The Dollywood Foundation, funded from Parton's profits, has been noted for raising money for several causes, including the American Red Cross and HIV/AIDS-related charities.

Maya Angelou in Isabel Marant

                        

Maya Angelou was a renowned African-American poet, author and civil rights activist. In her lifetime, Angelou published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and was credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows. She was respected as a spokesperson for black people and women, and her works have been considered a defense of black culture. Following her passing, Angelou’s work continues to impact society as her writings are read in schools across the world. Angelou fought for racial and gender equality every single day, and her words carry on that fight to this day.

Margaret Atwood in Fendi

                        

Margaret Atwood is a Canadian writer whose work includes The Circle Game, and The Handmaid's Tale. As a novelist and poet, Atwood's works encompass a variety of themes including the power of language, gender and identity, religion and myth, climate change, and power politics. Atwood has often refused to label her works as feminist, critics have often analyzed the sexual politics, use of myth and fairytale, and gendered relationships in her work through the lens of feminism. Atwood’s work also has heavy focuses on animal rights, environmental issues and are typically politically charged.

Eartha Kitt in Molly Goddard

                        

Eartha Kitt was a cultural icon who represented feminism, sex positivity, and the fight for civil rights. She was an American singer, actress, dancer, activist, author and songwriter, known for being the voice to the first ever Santa Baby holiday song, and the first ever black Catwoman. Kitt was active in numerous social causes in the 1950s and 1960s, including being a vocal advocate for LGBT rights and publicly supporting same-sex marriage,something she viewed as a civil right. Her lifetime of advocacy and unflinching pride made Eartha Kitt a symbol of black female empowerment for decades and-eight years after her death-her legacy remains as strong as ever.

Elizabeth Taylor in Chanel

                        

Elizabeth Taylor was a British-American actress, businesswoman, and humanitarian. Taylor’s philanthropic endeavors included being an activist on behalf of AIDS research long before AIDS became a cause that mainstream actors embraced, Her own foundation has given millions of dollars to programs around the world in the fight against the disease. Elizabeth Taylor was a trailblazer in the entertainment industry -with her role in Cleopatra in 1963 she became the first woman to negotiate (and receive) a $1 million salary. Elizabeth knew her value and her worth, and paved the way for the women of today working to repair the gender pay gap.

Michelle Obama in Celine

                        

Michelle Obama is an American writer, lawyer, and university administrator who was First Lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017. In her role at the First Lady, Obama began the “Let Girls Learn” initiative which aimed to help educate the 62 million girls around the world who aren’t in school. As a public figure representing America, Obama preached the mindset that women must stand up for themselves, each other and justice for all. She encouraged women and truly believed that there was nothing a woman could not accomplish.

Princess Diana in Marc Jacobs

                        

Diana, Princess of Wales, was a member of the British royal family. Unlike previous royal wives, Princess Diana didn't turn a blind eye to her husband's infidelity, but broke with convention to step out of his shadow. Living a life of privilege, the princess made a point of giving back, even to causes that weren’t appealing to others. She worked for many charities, upholding the rights of downtrodden women and creating awareness about people suffering from diseases that were prejudiced against in the 1990s. The princess was independent and a strong role model for Great Britain and the world.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Trump Declines UK Offer to Deploy Aircraft Carriers to Middle East Amid Iran Conflict
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to Return to Australia After Seven Years for Philanthropic and Business Engagements
UK Government Signals Independence From Washington as Cooper Says Britain Does Not Agree With Trump on Every Issue
UK Experts Warn AI Chatbots Are Fueling Surge in Claims of Organised ‘Satanic’ Ritual Abuse
UK Political Parties Divided Over Strategy as Iran Conflict Reshapes Foreign Policy Debate
Britain Discloses Secret Military Repair Hubs Operating Inside Ukraine
Trump Says US No Longer Needs UK Carrier Support After Delayed Offer Amid Iran Conflict
Why Britain Has Become Involved in the US-Israel Military Campaign Against Iran
UK Gas Storage Falls to Under Two Days as Iran Conflict Jolts Global Energy Markets
UK Warned to Brace for Economic Shock as Iran War Drives Global Energy Price Surge
Starmer and Trump Hold First Call After Public Dispute Over Iran Conflict
UK Dentists Returned £1.3 Billion to Government as Shift Toward Private Care Accelerates
Expert Warns UK Must Build Emergency Food Stockpiles to Prepare for Climate Shocks or War
UK Plans Charter Flight to Evacuate British Nationals from Gulf as Regional Conflict Disrupts Air Travel
Families of Zimbabwe’s Liberation Fighters Call on Britain to Help Locate Skulls Taken During Colonial War
Iran’s Ambassador Warns Britain to ‘Be Very Careful’ Over Deeper Role in Expanding Middle East War
UK Military Leadership Defends Britain’s Defensive Role in Expanding Middle East Conflict
Four U.S. Strategic Bombers Arrive in Britain as Iran War Intensifies
Soham Murderer Ian Huntley Dies After Violent Attack in High-Security Prison
UK Lawmakers and Experts Condemn Scale of Overseas Human Remains Held in British Museums
Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier HMS Prince of Wales Placed on Standby for Potential Deployment
United Kingdom Confirms U.S. Military Using British Bases for Operations Targeting Iranian Missile Sites
Starmer Defends UK Role in Iran Conflict After Renewed Criticism from President Trump
Blue Owl Reveals £36 Million Exposure After Collapse of UK Lender Serving Wealthy Clients
UK Asylum Reform Plan Triggers Fierce Debate Over Border Control and Humanitarian Impact
US Stealth Bombers Head to UK Base as Trump Issues Stark Warning to Iran
UK Deputy Prime Minister Says Legal Case Could Exist for British Strikes on Iranian Missile Sites
Investigators Link Mysterious Parcel Fires Across Europe to Russian Intelligence Operation
Debate Intensifies Over Britain’s Legal Justification for US Military Operations Launched From UK Bases
Britain Faces Heightened Energy Price Risks as Iran-Linked Tensions Threaten Global Oil and Gas Supplies
British Counter-Terror Police Arrest Four Suspected of Spying on Jewish Community for Iran
Axel Springer Agrees $770 Million Deal to Acquire Britain’s Daily Telegraph
Iceland Supermarket Drops Trademark Challenge Against Icelandic Government in Long-Running Naming Dispute
UK Defence Secretary Visits Cyprus Following Scrutiny of Britain’s Response to Drone Attacks
Questions Grow Over Britain’s Military Readiness as Response to Iran Conflict Draws Scrutiny
UK Offers Failed Asylum Seeker Families Up to Forty Thousand Pounds to Leave Voluntarily
Saharan Dust Could Bring ‘Blood Rain’ to Parts of the UK as Weather Systems Shift
UK Deploys Additional Typhoon Fighter Jets to Qatar and Helicopters to Cyprus Amid Rising Middle East Tensions
Experts Urge Britain to Accelerate Renewable Energy Push as Global Conflicts Drive Up Costs
British Public Shows Strong Reluctance to Join Wider War in Iran
First UK Evacuation Flight Departs Middle East After Lengthy Delay
United Kingdom Imposes New Visa Requirements on Travelers from St. Lucia and Nicaragua
Iran Conflict Strains U.S.–U.K. Alliance as Trump and Starmer Clash Over Military Strategy
UK Interest Rates Could Rise Above Four Percent Again if Energy Shock Continues, Think Tank Warns
Starmer Defends Britain’s Iran Strategy as Badenoch Urges Stronger Military Support
Labour MP Says She Saw No Sign Husband Broke Law After Arrest in China Espionage Investigation
UK Jobless Rate Overtakes Italy’s for First Time in Years as Labour Market Weakens
United Kingdom Suspends Student Visas for Four Countries in Unprecedented Immigration Move
Campaigners Warn UK Student Visa Ban Could Push Migrants Toward Dangerous Channel Crossings
First U.K. Charter Flight for Stranded Nationals Set to Depart Oman Amid Middle East Crisis
×