The year 2019 has seen some historic and defining moments for women everywhere in the world, who have taken a stand for a myriad of causes from climate change to battling sexism . As a result, we have seen many important firsts throughout the year. We have also seen women conquering their respective fields as well as bringing about social change.
10 Defining Moments For Women In 2019
From a young Greta Thunberg influencing the conversation around climate action to a female-led government in Finland, 2019 has been an inspirational year for women worldwide. We go through the year and bring you ten defining moments from the past year.
Greta Thunberg Sparked Global Climate Strikes
When a 16-year-old activist from Sweden became the face of a global climate action movement, it showed that young girls are leading the conversation. Thunberg's movement, that started with her skipping school as well as camping out in front of the Swedish Parliament, raised a call of action to protect the planet. Her actions triggered a global strike. Thunberg also spoke at the UN Climate Summit in New York, where she condemned world leaders for their lack of action.
Also Read: Greta Thunberg Makes Emotional Speech At UN
When a 16-year-old activist from Sweden became the face of a global climate action movement, it showed that young girls are leading the conversation.
All-Woman Spacewalk
The first all-women spacewalk had to be postponed in March because NASA didn't have two properly sized spacesuits for women. This led to a debate on the kind of sexism that women in these fields face. However, in October, the all-women spacewalk finally happened. NASA Astronauts Jessica Meir, as well as Christina Koch, took part in it. They ventured out of the International Space Station to replace a power controller. The moment was a defining as well as a historic one, indeed!
Esther Duflo Wins Nobel In Economics
Esther Duflo became the second and youngest woman to win a Nobel Prize in Economics. She spoke on behalf of Abhijit Banerjee and Michael Kremer at the Nobel Banquet. In her speech, she stressed that she was proud to represent women in Economics. She also said that she hopes her achievement will encourage other women to join them.
Gita Gopinath Appointed Chief Economist At IMF
The International Monetary Fund appointed Gita Gopinath as its chief economist in October. She is the first woman to take on that role. Born in Kolkata, India, Gopinath is a professor of international studies and economics at Harvard University. Her research focuses on macroeconomics as well as international finance.
Also Read: Meet Gita Gopinath, The New Chief Economist At IMF
Karen Uhlenbeck: First Woman To Win Abel Prize
American mathematician Karen Uhlenbeck became the first woman to win the prestigious Abel Prize, on March 19th this year. Uhlenbeck, an emeritus professor at the University of Texas won “for the fundamental impact of her work on analysis, geometry and mathematical physics.” She also said, "I am aware of the fact that I am a role model for young women in mathematics."
American mathematician Karen Uhlenbeck became the first woman to win the prestigious Abel Prize, on March 19th this year.
Finland Elects Woman-Led Government
Sanna Marin became Finland's youngest Prime Minister after Finland's elections. She was also sworn in as the head of a coalition of five parties, all of which are led by women. Marin told reporters after winning,“I have never thought about my age or gender, I think of the reasons I got into politics and those things for which we have won the trust of the electorate.”
Zuzana Caputova Became President Of Slovakia
Zuzana Caputova had almost no formal political experience. However, she won 58 percent of the vote in Slovakia’s presidential election in March. The lawyer and civil society activist ran on a slogan of “stand up to evil”. She also promised to fight corruption in the country. Her win also made her the first woman to become president of her country. With Caputova, Slovakia didn’t just get its first female president but also the youngest president in Slovakian history.
Katie Bouman Makes First Black Hole Image Possible
In a defining and inspirational moment for women in STEM, Katie Bouman made it possible for the world to view the first image of a black hole. Bouman is a 29-year-old PhD candidate in the US. She as well as her team created the algorithm that led to the image of a supermassive black hole in the Messier 87 galaxy.
Also Read: Why Katie Bouman's Success Is Unpalatable To Many
Indian Navy Got Its First Woman Pilot
Lieutenant Shivangi became the first woman pilot of the Indian Navy. Shivangi entered naval operations at Kochi on December 2. She was initiated into the Indian Navy as SSC (Pilot) as a member of 27 NOC course in the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala. Shivangi's historic achievement also was a defining moment for women in aviation.
PV Sindhu Wins World Championship
Indian badminton reached a new high when PV Sindhu won the World Championship title after beating Japan's Nozomi Okuhara 21-7, 21-7. It was a first for an Indian, as well as a performance worthy of a champion. It was the moment that also pronounced the real coming of age for Indian badminton.
Prapti is an intern at SheThePeople.TV
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