From Beyonce to Jane Austen, there has always been and always will be, women who are pushing the envelope, who are constantly changing and reinventing the way that women are viewed in our society.

These five women are part of the wide range of women who are changing the world, and their names and achievements should be known.

1. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Alexandria Ocasio- Cortez is a Democratic representative presiding over the New York District in the US House of Representatives. She was elected in 2019 and is already making strides as the youngest woman elected to Congress. Having a powerful woman in all levels of government, regardless of political orientation is so important for the future generations of woman, and Ocasio-Cortez is paving the way. gif source

2. Hedy Lamarr

A “bombshell” and award-winning actress of the thirties, Hedy Lamarr was underestimated because of her good looks, but she was also an ingenious inventor. Hedy Lamarr came up with the processes using radio frequencies that created the foundation for WIFI, GPS, and Bluetooth capabilities. She was finally celebrated for her technological accomplishments in 1997 and is a woman who broke down the barriers between brains and beauty, proving you can have both. gif source

3. Diahann Carroll

Among other achievements, in 1968 Diahann Carroll became the star of a show called “Julia”. This was the first time a black woman was the star of a Television show. Not only was she the star she was not the stereotypical maid role that most black women were cast in, but she also had a career and a family. Diahann Carroll was brave and tough enough to change the way women of color were depicted on television. gif source

4. Kathleen Hanna

Kathleen Hanna was the lead singer of the band Bikini Kill, a popular punk rock band from the ’90s, and member of the Riot Grrrl movement. This movement was used to make sure that women had a safe environment in the punk rock music scene. Kathleen Hanna would make male hecklers leave at their concerts and would invite women up to the stage if they were being harassed or felt uncomfortable. Music is created for everyone, and Kathleen Hanna wanted to make sure that her concerts were for everyone too. gif source

5. Tarana Burke

Tarana Burke is the unsung hero who began the #metoo movement. She coined the term in 2003 and in 2017 it was used to draw attention to the violence, harassment, and abuse, whether sexual or not, that women of all ages and careers face on a daily basis. She is a brave activist and wants women to know that they are not alone. gif source