With so many abuses of power in the news, we thought it’d be a fine time to celebrate some positive people with the ability to create change. And without my even specifying, it looks like we’re all looking to honor strong women who have influence in all the right ways.
Team, who is using their powers for good?
Elaine Atwell: Shonda Rhimes. She is remaking the television landscape, and changing the way we talk and think about gender, sexuality, and race. Her stories can be a little gut-punchy, but I think she’s using her powers for good.
Lucy Hallowell: J.K. Rowling. She is the first person to become a billionaire as an author and, I think, the person to stop being a billionaire because she gave a shit ton of her money away. She is funny and sharp and lending her clout to Lumos, the organization she created to end the practice of placing children in “orphanages” around the world. She’s got more than enough “go fuck yourself money” and she’s not afraid to use it and her power to change the world.
Ali Davis: Elizabeth Warren. Given her education, experience, and smarts, she could be a very wealthy corporate lawyer. Instead, she uses her financial smarts to push for reform to help consumers and go to bat for the little guy, over and over. Having her in the Senate genuinely gives me hope.
Dara Nai: Notorious R.B.G.
Lianna Carrera: This one’s easy! Women like Cecil Richards and Hillary Clinton, who showed the world just how strong women can be even in the face of witch hunts by the GOP.
Erin Faith Wilson: Hillary Clinton. She is an important face of feminism.
Bridget McManus: Oprah. She has dedicated her life to encouraging others to be their best selves, not to mention building a school for young girls in Africa. Her work has impacting people on a global level.
Daniela Costa: I think young women like Malala Yousafzai and Emma Watson using their platforms to bring about conversation and change is pretty powerful.
Trish Bendix: Ellen DeGeneres is powerful in the of minds and hearts she’s won over simply by being honest about who she is. From that has come of monetary success, to be sure, but she uses it for good, blending philanthropy with extensions of her brand. Case in point, the Gap Kids x ED line for girls that defied gender stereotypes and benefitted Girls Inc., an organization that seeks to build confidence in young women.
Who do you think uses their power in a positive way?
