7 Women To Be Inspired By

In light of the recent hate crime in Colorado, it's important, now more than ever, to celebrate the perseverant spirit of women. Here are seven women who's accomplishments truly deserve to be making world breaking news.

1) Malala Yousafzai

Via parade.com

At age fifteen Malala was shot in the head and neck by the Taliban. However, Malala did not cower in fear, she continued campaigning for women's education. So much so, her own mother was able to learn to read and write. Malala received the United Nation's Human Rights Prize when she was seventeen years old.

2) Cecile Richards

Via billmoyers.com

Cecile Richards has stood for the rights of women to have free substantial reproductive care in the face of adversity. She recently was quoted, "We have a saying at Planned Parenthood: 'These doors stay open'. It means we don't back down because of protestors, or violent extremists or anyone else, and it means we are a safe, supportive, welcoming environment for all people who need high-quality reproductive health care".

3) Maya Angelou

George Burns / Via mayaangelou.com

Maya Angelou had foreseen a life long of hardship, including rape as a child. However, Dr. Angelou did not hold fear or hate in her heart. She rose above life's tribulations and became a singer, an actress, a writer, and director. She wrote the acclaimed book "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" and preached the importance of human compassion and love.

4) America Ferrera

Via deepleftfield.info

America Ferrera was the last of six children. Her mother was from Honduras and worked hard as a cleaning lady to put the kids through school. Ferrera started acting in plays and eventually made her way to the big screen on Disney's "Gotta Kick it Up" and ABC's "Ugly Betty". As a star, she has used her political powers for good. She wrote an open letter to Donald Trump calling him out for being a bigot while also thanking him for driving Latinos to the polls.

5) J.K. Rowling

Dan Hallman / AP / Via google.com

J.K. Rowling lost her mother in her early twenties. She used her grief to help write her world renown "Harry Potter" series. J. K. Rowling's books inspired kids to read more, and even improved children's reading levels; furthermore, the themes in J.K. Rowling's books encouraged her young readers to be tolerant of minority groups as well. Since becoming famous, Ms. Rowling has taken on charity work with the organization for children, Lumos.

6) Amy Schumer

Via footwearnews.com

Though Amy Schumer may seem out of place on this list, Ms. Schumer's work is indeed noteworthy and legendary. Her sketch comedy show, "Inside Amy Schumer" won a Peabody award for exploring body image/expectations for women, rape culture, and other awkward social encounters. Earlier this year, a gunman shot and killed two people at a premier of her movie, "Trainwreck". Ms. Schumer voiced her need for women's rights and anti-gun policy with her cousin, Senator Chuck Schumer, at a press conference after the shooting.

7) Immaculée Ilibagzia

Phil Marino / Via explorebigsky.com

Immaculée Ilibagzia is one of the few survivors of the Rwandan genocide. Ms. Ilibagzia, a Tutsi, and seven other women hid in a Hutu Pastor's bathroom for ninety-one days. After the genocide, Ms. Ilibagzia wrote an autobiography called: "Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Genocide". The book talks about how God's love helped Immaculée Ilibagzia's get through the genocide and forgive her family's killers. She also started a charity called, "The Left to Tell Charity Fund", to help the orphans of Rwanda and all of Africa.