As we prepare to celebrate International Women’s Day on 8th March, we highlight some of the successful ladies from the UAE and beyond who have inspired us greatly this year.
Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimi
No woman in the UAE has shown greater leadership and inspiration than Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimi this year. As Managing Director of Expo 2020 Dubai, she has led her team to success with this global event and received incredible recognition for it from her team members and the public. To see a woman in the UAE in such a prominent position is truly inspiring for us.
Queen Elizabeth II
As the world’s longest-reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II celebrates 75 years on the throne this year, one of the greatest achievements of any woman who is living today. She has dedicated her entire life to service for her country and has also inspired the world as a loving mother, grandmother and most recently, great grandmother.
Melinda Gates
After splitting from her husband Microsoft Founder Bill Gates in 2021 Melinda Gates has continued her work as a philanthropist and global advocate for women and girls. After working in a male-dominated environment at Microsoft Gates made it her mission to promote empowerment in the workplace for women. She is one of the most charitable women in the world donating billions of dollars towards various charities including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation which she continues to own with her husband.
Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris was an inspiration to many women when she became the first female Vice President and the highest-ranking female official in U.S. history, as well as the first African American and first Asian American Vice President in January 2021. Over the past year, she has continued to inspire and was selected as one of the 2021 Forbes 50 over 50.
Angela Merkel
Germany’s Angela Merkel stepped down from her position as the chancellor of Germany in 2021 after sixteen years. Now happily in retirement, Merkel became one of the world’s most powerful women and won the hearts of the German people through her work to support refugees and her leadership of Germany out of the great recession.
Nadine Labaki
Lebanese Film Director Nadine Labaki made headlines after her Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film for Capernaum in 2019, but this year she made a return to work in front of the camera starring in the Arabic language Netflix series “Perfect Strangers” which has received stellar reviews. Her career in film has proved that a woman from the Arab world can have success in Hollywood and we continue to follow her story as she moves into her next endeavours.
Malala Yousafzai
After a tragic incident in 2012 which saw Malala being shot in the head by the Taliban in her home country of Pakistan many thought she would not survive. But she was lucky enough to seek asylum in the United Kingdom and receive treatment for her injuries. Since her recovery Malala has made it her mission to dedicate her life to inspiring other young girls, helping them to give them a future. In 2014 Malala received the Nobel Peace Prize and become the youngest-ever Nobel laureate. Today she continues her mission with the Malala Foundation and meets young women around the world to share her story and message.
Zendaya
Zendaya
American actress Zendaya has become THE name in Hollywood over the past year and it sure has been a year for her! The second series of her hit show “Euphoria” debuted and she also played a lead role in the sci-fi movie “Dune” and the latest edition of Spider-Man. She has also landed many deals with luxury brands including Bulgari, Valentino, Lancôme and more. But it is her outspoken and honest personality that inspires millions of young women worldwide.
Simone Biles
American gymnast Simone Biles has won a combined total of 32 Olympic and World Championship medals throughout her career. But this year at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo she began making headlines when she was forced to pull out of the event citing mental health reasons. Her withdrawal was praised around the world, as was her bravery to speak up and acknowledge her issues and it has started a wider conversation around the acknowledgement of mental health issues within sports.
Farah Nabulsi
In 2021 Palestinian film Director and A&E cover star Farah Nubulsi won a BAFTA and was nominated for an Oscar for her short film “The Present”. The film highlights the tragic situation happening in Palestine today in which many Palestinians are still deprived of basic human rights and freedom of movement. Since the success of the film, Farah has been able to open a conversation on the situation in Palestine and is using her voice to raise awareness and attempt to help some of those going through this awful situation.
Haifaa Al Mansour
Haifaa Al Mansour is one of Saudi Arabia’s most successful Film Directors. She was the first Saudi filmmaker and has paved the way for generations of young women to follow in her footsteps and enter an industry they never dreamed possible. Mansour has created films that have addressed issues that affect women around the world, raising awareness and opening conversations that are often difficult to have. In 2020 she began directing the upcoming Netflix series “The Selection”.
Naomi Campbell
At 51 years old British model Naomi Campbell made a triumphant return to the catwalk this year walking in shows for designers including Versace and Alexander McQueen. While her career has spanned over 30 years Campbell proved this year that she is still a global superstar. As well as her modelling career, Noami has been kept busy this year having a baby girl. She announced the birth of her daughter in May 2021.
Indra Nooyi
Former CEO of PepsiCo Indra Nooyi is one of the world’s most successful businesswomen. Growing up in India Nooyi moved to The United States to follow her dreams of working in business. She assumed a number of positions in India before joining Pepsico in 1994. She was named CEO in 2006. After leaving her role at the global company in 2017 she embarked on a new chapter that has seen her become a public speaker and author. She is also now a member of the board of directors at Amazon.
