In the midst of a news cycle where men are taking up a lot of space (to say the least), and women’s rights are under various threats, International Women’s Day is a chance to pause and celebrate progress, and the remarkable women who are electrifying music, television, AI, theatre, politics, and more. This year we asked Glamour editors from around the world about the women they look up to—and why they want to share their accomplishments. Some you may have heard of, others might be new and ripe for discovery. Read their books, listen to their music, support their philanthropic work, enjoy their films, or simply find out who inspires our editors this International Women’s Day.
Audra McDonald
Shouting out the accomplishments of Audra McDonald isn’t a new practice. The actor—primarily known and revered for her work on Broadway–is the only person to have won six Tony Awards across all four acting categories and has stolen scenes in your favourite television shows such as Private Practice, The Good Wife, and The Good Fight.
But this year the 54-year-old stepped into what’s arguably the most challenging, complex, and coveted role in American musical theatre, Mama Rose, in the equally as important midcentury Broadway musical Gypsy. I’m not alone in saying it’s a performance for the ages.
Created in 1959 by theatre greats Stephen Sondheim, Jules Styne, and Arthur Laurents, Gypsy tells the tale of Rose—a Depression-era stage mother so fierce she makes Kris Jenner look absentee—and her relentless quest to make her daughters stars. McDonald joins a rarified club of actors who have been cast as Rose, including Ethel Merman, Bette Midler, Bernadette Peters, and Patti LuPone, yet somehow is the first Black woman to interpret the role. This ignited discourse not only around the concept of colour-blind casting but also about the believability of the show with a nonwhite lead—would a Black woman really think she had a shot at turning her kids into America’s sweethearts on the often-racist vaudeville circuit during the early 1920s?
After watching McDonald, I’d say yes. The current revival, directed by George C. Wolfe, didn’t alter a single line or lyric to reflect the race of the character or her daughters, and yet as a viewer—and a lifelong fan of the musical—I was able to see the show in a new way, which is a massive credit to McDonald and the two incredible actresses playing her daughters, Joy Woods and Jordan Tyson. The day after I saw McDonald as Rose on Broadway it was announced that she, along with a few members of the cast, would have to step out for a few days due to illness. The fact that she and her colleagues did what I saw while under the weather is a testament to their talent, but also a good reminder that maybe we can do more than we think we can. —Perrie Samotin, digital director, Glamour US
Professor Clare McGlynn
Every victory in the fight against image-based abuse in the UK can be traced back to Clare McGlynn, professor of law at Durham University. Her survivor-focused expert legal guidance has underpinned successful campaigns, including putting violence against women and girls in the Online Safety Act, changing the law on upskirting, creating a new criminal offence for cyberflashing, collaborating with Rape Crisis and the End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW) to make possessing “rape porn” a criminal offence, and most recently, working with Glamour, EVAW, Not Your Porn, and Jodie Campaigns to lobby the government to criminalise the creation of nonconsensual deepfake pornography. Professor McGlynn’s deep commitment to honouring the experiences of survivors sets her apart as one of the most trusted experts in the Ending Violence Against Women & Girls space. When she’s in the room, people notice. When she speaks, people listen. —Lucy Morgan, purpose editor, Glamour UK
Marlene Engelhorn
Not many millionaires emerge as effective social activists, but Marlene Engelhorn—the heiress to the [German chemical company] BASF empire—not only wants inherited wealth to be taxed but also had a public council decide to what and whom 90% of her inheritance should go.
The money—around 25 million euros—went to 80 different organisations that campaign for the environment, climate, health, affordable housing, and social justice.
The 32-year-old is considered a driving force when it comes to structural change in tax policy and the tax system as well as taxation of the wealthy population. The fact that, as an heiress to millions, she has taken a stand against the 1%, had a large part of her inheritance redistributed by strangers, and is campaigning for a fairer world makes me believe in the future. Because they do exist: good people who share and determine tomorrow, today. —Ursula Schmied, senior cultural editor, Glamour Germany
María Salguero
Femicides in Mexico have been on the rise in recent years. In fact, according to official data from Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), an average of 10 femicides occur every day in the country.
María Salguero is a Mexican geophysicist and feminist who is known for her work in documenting femicides in Mexico. She created a map called Femicides in Mexico, which visualises the locations of femicides across the country. By using data visualisation, this map is part of her broader effort to raise awareness about gender-based violence and to document cases that are often overlooked or underreported by the media and authorities.
Salguero’s activism has drawn significant attention to the issue and sparked conversations about gender violence, accountability, and the need for better data collection and reporting in Mexico. In 2023 she received the Hermila Galindo medal “for carrying out scientific research in favor of women,” given by the Congress of Mexico City. —Gabriela Medina, social media lead, Glamour Mexico and Latin America
Darkoo
No question about it, last month’s Music of Black Origin Awards in the UK—one of the most prominent nights in the British music industry—belonged to rapper and singer Darkoo. That night she won both best British female (one of the night’s biggest awards), and song of the year for her recent hit “Favourite Girl.” She then brought down the house with a performance of said song, no doubt winning her even more fans. Since 2019 the Nigerian-born, South London–raised musician has been making serious waves on the British Afrobeat scene blending Afroswing and UK drill to the tune of tens of millions of streams for her breakthrough track, “Gangsta.”
Her experimentation with gender presentation, challenging gender norms and well-trodden tropes in her performances and videos—yes to the crotch-grabbing onstage—has prompted discourse about her gender fluidity. However, Darkoo has stated: “I’ve never been confused about my gender. I have no desire to be a man. I am a Black female, masculine characteristics but female.” All of this makes her one of the most exciting British artists right now. —Emily Maddick, assistant editor and entertainment director, Glamour UK
Alexia Putellas
In Spain, where football is almost a religion, it is hard to believe—and honestly, quite sad—that before Alexia Putellas entered the game, women’s football had only a marginal following at the national level. Now, of course, she’s a global football icon, and regarded as one of the greatest female footballers of all time.
She has won numerous football trophies, and in 2023 was part of the Spanish team that the Women’s World Cup. But for me, what makes her a legend is her power to inspire millions of girls and women. Young girls now wear her jersey with pride, understanding that, at last, becoming a global football star is truly possible. And women, myself included, have reconnected with a sport that was never just for men, even if it often seemed that way. —Lucía Tejo, commerce editor, Glamour Spain
Sinead O’Dowyer
In a time when body diversity seems to be slipping in priority across the fashion industry, it’s incredibly inspiring to see designers like Sinéad O’Dwyer put size inclusivity at the forefront of their work. The Irish designer has challenged fashion’s sample-size-driven designs since she began her eponymous label in 2018, and is now as beloved for her innovative collections of intricate lace-up looks and beautifully darted jackets as she is for her diverse casting at her runway shows. O’Dwyer is the British Fashion Council NewGen recipient for 2022–23 and 2023–24, and one of fashion’s most celebrated champions of diversity today. —Rosie Lai, acting fashion editor, Glamour UK
Asmeret Berhe-Lumax
Asmeret Berhe-Lumax is doing what the world so often forgets: feeding people with dignity. In the city of New York, where excess and scarcity live side by side, she is making sure food isn’t a privilege—it’s a right. Through One Love Community Fridge, the grassroots initiative she founded in 2020, Berhe-Lumax has turned the simple act of sharing into a quiet revolution. The idea is both familiar and transformative: public fridges, placed in neighbourhoods, stocked by the people, for the people—no questions asked.
Born in Ethiopia, raised in Sweden, and now rooted in New York City, Berhe-Lumax carries a global understanding of community. She has seen how hunger is never just about food—it’s about access, about exclusion, about whose suffering is visible and whose is ignored. Rather than wait for top-down solutions, she built one from the ground up. Today, across Brooklyn and Manhattan, One Love’s 35+ fridges have rescued millions of pounds of fresh food, rerouting waste into nourishment. No paperwork. No stigma. Just people helping people.
On this International Women’s Day, we celebrate not just what Berhe-Lumax does, but how she does it: with intention, with respect, with a deep-rooted belief that communities already have the answers—they just need the resources to act. —Ruhama Wolle, special projects editor, Glamour US
Frida Escobedo
Frida Escobedo is a renowned Mexican architect known for her innovative and contemporary design approach. Throughout her career, she has gained international recognition for her work, which blends traditional Mexican architectural elements with modern design sensibilities. Architecture has historically been a male-dominated profession, and Escobedo has broken through these barriers, achieving international recognition and becoming one of the most prominent architects of her generation. In 2018 she became the youngest architect to design the famous Serpentine Pavilion (an outdoor space in London designed and built by a different architect each year)—the first Mexican woman to do so. Through her projects, she addresses identity, culture, and social issues by incorporating elements that challenge traditional gender norms and creating spaces that promote inclusivity. Escobedo has actively mentored and supported other women in architecture, encouraging young female architects to pursue their dreams and push past the obstacles they may face in a male-dominated industry. Her example serves as inspiration for many women who dream of becoming recognised architects and making an impact in their society. —Joselyne Ortega, digital editor, Glamour Mexico and Latin America
Sandra Weil
Fashion is more than aesthetics and interesting clothes; it’s a language that allows us to express our vision of the world and the way we inhabit it. In a time where it is increasingly necessary to create spaces and platforms for women to have mutual growth, the Latin American designer Sandra Weil not only uses fashion as a channel to express her creativity and bring to life impressive collections, she turns it into a form of female connection, where the voices of the women who accompany her at every moment are present in her work.
An example of this is her campaign We All Shine On, in which she recognised the influence of iconic women in their industry for their dedication, vision and triumphs, considered role models in life. Weil is living proof that female power and sorority can make their way into any space, as long as a woman decides to be the agent of change. —Antonio Fuentes, fashion and wellness editor, Glamour Mexico and Latin America
Isabel Wilkerson
If there is one book that made me feel changed after reading, it was Isabel Wilkerson’s book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. The time, attention, and sheer scope of research that went into her nonfiction book is staggering. She lays out and underscores how race relations in the US align most closely to India’s caste system, with a dominant and subordinate caste. Her writing has a storytelling aspect that draws you in and examples that clearly prove her hypothesis, such as how the Nazis looked to the American South to study how the US was able to enforce Jim Crow laws, and Martin Luther King visiting India and being introduced as an untouchable (the lowest caste). She flawlessly takes such heavy and emotional material and transforms it into something easily digestible and broken down in a systematic way. I felt moved to tears and exasperated sighs multiple times while listening to the audiobook, and even before I finished, I was rushing to recommend it to friends and family. In my opinion, it should be required reading, and as the author of the book, Wilkerson is a woman I not only admire and revere, but hope to emulate in my arguments. —Lauren Brown, acting associate visuals director, Glamour US
Mon Laferte
Mon Laferte, the Chilean-Mexican singer and songwriter, is my inspirational woman because she has shown that even in difficult circumstances, perseverance and talent will prevail. Her life story, from her beginnings in Chile to becoming a recognised artist in Latin America, is an example that shows, when you fight for your voice, you achieve extraordinary things. In 2009, shortly after the release of her first single, she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, but she refused to let it stand in her way. Today, nearly 16 years on, she has accumulated five Latin Grammy Awards, won two MTV Europe Awards, and played the famous American music festival Coachella, and last year she saw the release of a Netflix documentary about her life and career.
What’s so admirable is that Laferte has not only conquered stages with her musical versatility (her styles span pop, rock, metal, and more) but she has also used her art and her platform to raise her voice for women, for human rights, and for the social causes that matter to her. Her courage to speak out about her own experiences—such as depression and abortion—has made her a symbol of strength.
She has defied labels by proving that women can use their voice, choose their own style, and challenge the molds imposed by the industry. Her art and her story inspire thousands of women to be themselves, to fight for their dreams, and to not be afraid to express what they feel. —Paola Juárez, beauty and lifestyle editor, Glamour Mexico and Latin America
Coralie Fargeat
It sounds absurd, but only 10 women have ever been nominated for an Oscar for directing. The latest to join their ranks is Coralie Fargeat, who had the even rarer distinction of being honoured for a film, The Substance, that is about the experience of womanhood.
And while much of the praise of the film is rightfully focused on its piercing indictment of the way women are treated as they age, I found the metaphor for how we allow self-loathing to overtake our lives just as poignant. To me, the film encapsulated how hard it is to love yourself as a woman and shake off expectations, and there was something joyous in the disgusting spectacle in the films final scene when the main character becomes a hideous monster. She was gross, but finally, she was free. Maybe we should all accept ourselves before we get to that point?
With The Substance, Fargeat joins a group of young women filmmakers who are making some of the most compelling films in Hollywood, from Greta Gerwig to Emerald Fennel, and are making them about women. I can’t wait to see what she does next. —Stephanie McNeal, senior editor, Glamour US
Malala Yousafzai
When I think of Malala Yousafzai, I’m filled with profound admiration and hope for the future. As head of editorial content at Glamour Germany, I’ve had the privilege of amplifying many women’s voices, yet Yousafzai’s story stands out in my heart. Her resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity—surviving a brutal attempt on her life as a schoolgirl simply for wanting an education—taught me the true meaning of courage. She refused to be silenced, turning her pain into power and her fear into a fearless campaign for change. —Theresa Pichler, head of editorial content, Glamour Germany
Shon Faye
Any piece of writing by Shon Faye—a breakout British novelist—is an exhibition of vulnerability and humor, and points you wish you were smart enough to think of first. Faye’s pop culture prowess is unmatched, but it’s her part-memoir, part-polemics that have fought their way up the Sunday Times best-seller lists.
Her first nonfiction book, The Transgender Issue, uses identity as a mere jumping-off point to look at wider society, arguing that liberty for any much-maligned minority is liberation for all. She spent years honing in on how to use hot-button issues as a trojan horse for unashamed left wing politics (the agility required to crowbar a critique of “the machinations of late capitalism” into a review of Cher and only Cher in Mamma Mia 2 is, quite frankly, inspiring). And just as All About Love by bell hooks did before it, Faye’s Love in Exile shows how the personal is political. Going beyond superficial “heteropessimism”—a very fancy way of saying that straights are in crisis—it examines how other factors, such as capitalism, misogyny, and our own delusions, impact love.
Faye is one of those once-in-a-generation writers whose words effortlessly cut through the noise and manage to entertain while enlightening you. She’s one to watch and one to read. —Kemi Alemoru, head of editorial content, Glamour UK
Arvida Byström
As an artist, Arvida Byström breaks conventions, which is something I admire. With her mixture of cute (AI) selfies, too much pink, glitter, and provocative pornography aesthetics, she implements her own definition of feminism on her social media channels and in her exhibitions: a modern, digital feminism that not only fights against society, but also has fun playing with her “chick” associations.
Byström takes the hyper-girl aesthetic that’s so often criticized and turns it into a tool of political provocation—especially in the context of issues such as sexuality and body politics. It’s fascinating to see how she leans into commercialism and exaggerated sexiness as an artistic strategy and openly finances her art with work in the erotic field. She poses the question: Why is it okay to make a living from art but not from lust? Her cyber-feminism feels playful, uncompromising, free of moral panic, and entirely original. —Madeline Dangmann, senior fashion editor, Glamour Germany
Eva Ramón Gallegos
In Mexico, cervical cancer is the third most frequent cancer for women—often linked to the prevalance of the human papillomavirus (HPV). But thanks to the work of Mexican scientist Eva Ramón Gallegos, who has been leading groundbreaking work focused on the eradication and treatment of HPV, there is a chance to start bringing that number down.
Her research, published in 2022, led to the development of an innovative, noninvasive treatment to eliminate HPV, successfully eradicating the virus in 100% of the women treated in her study. This is a crucial advancement, since HPV is responsible for most cervical cancer cases—and her discovery represents a significant benefit for public health, as well as empowering women by offering a more accessible and less invasive treatment option.
Ramón Gallegos’s work also highlights the importance of science and biomedical research in improving women’s health, especially in areas where medical advancements can make a life-or-death difference. And raises the visibility of female scientists on the international stage. —Farah Slim, head of editorial content, Glamour Mexico and Latin America
Eugenia Tenenbaum
The day the book La Mirada Inquieta (“The Restless Gaze”), exploring women in art history who have been ignored and how women in art have been objectified, fell into my hands, I was unaware of the impact it would have on me and my way of seeing art—until the fifth page. That is how swift the power of Eugenia Tenenbaum’s words is. At just 29 years old, with her instantly identifiable fiery red hair, she is an art historian who has become one of Spain’s most influential communicators in recent years. Her field of expertise is the application of a gender perspective to the arts. Despite her young age, she is also the author of the book Las Mujeres Detrás de Picasso (“The Women Behind Picasso”), which examines the lives of the painter’s lovers and wives. Her main goal: to rescue from oblivion all those women artists whose genius was erased by the relentless hand of patriarchy. And to teach us to love artworks from a different angle in museum halls. She’s an inspiration —Gema Hospido, brand editorial senior editor, Glamour Spain
Nabiha Syed
I feel lucky to know Nabiha Syed personally, and to call her a true friend. She’s the type of woman we should all have in our corner – fiercely loyal, passionate, and a daily inspiration.
Her accomplishments run long, and sometimes a little intimidating. Most recently she was named the executive director of the Mozilla Foundation, a nonprofit whose mission it is to make the internet open and accessible to all. Overseeing a team of more than 100 people, and a budget of $30 million, she has become one of the most influential voices in the world of open source and AI.
I first met Nabiha 15 years ago at a convention of young achievers in Washington, DC. Even among a group of global superstars, she stood out for many reasons—her ability to hold a room, her dedication to free speech, her insight into the future of digital media, and her phenomenal love of colour.
I remember at her wedding to her husband, Nana, her father listed out everything she’d achieved. And who could blame him? A postgraduate qualification in law from Yale Law School, one of the most prestigious colleges in America. A master’s degree from the University of Oxford in the UK, where she was a Marshall Scholar (one of the most prestigious awards for American students in Britain). A degree from Johns Hopkins University, another of America’s top colleges. And that doesn’t include her legal career, during which she was an assistant general counsel at BuzzFeed, before becoming CEO of the tech media company The Markup.
She’s a woman determined to bring joy and creativity to the internet and the people around her; she is a powerful advocate for inclusivity and mentors dozens of young women in the tech, law, and freedom of speech space. Nabiha makes me want to be a better person, fight for more people and wear more colour. —Samatha Barry, global editorial director, Glamour
Mariana Enríquez
Discovering the author Mariana Enríquez has taught me to see the world from a darker, more sinister perspective. A journalist and writer, she is famous for her short stories and, in Spain, for winning the Premio Herralde, one of the most prestigious literary prizes in the country in 2019 with her novel Nuestra Parte de Noche (“Our Share of Night”), which has been published around the world in multiple languages. My admiration for her stems from reading her prose, in which she masterfully blends supernatural horror with local traditions and, above all, with the real fears we face in our daily lives.
She is not explicitly an activist, yet her work acknowledges how politics shape everyday life and how it can become a source of terror. Specifically for women, fears surrounding our relationship with our bodies, motherhood, and interactions with men are powerfully reflected in her work, and I urge people to read her. —Vicky Vera, beauty editor, Glamour Spain
Ottessa Moshfeg
Known and beloved for her provocative works, I discovered author Ottessa Moshfeg on a bestseller list in 2021 during the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. I ordered My Year of Rest and Relaxation, which quickly became one of my favorite novels.
We so rarely meet complex female protagonists whose behavior you can’t approve of, but also can’t get enough of. Moshfeg writes those kinds of female characters, who are both demonized for their actions yet envied for their repartee and depth. She’s had a lasting influence on my own writing style and has shown me how to portray the most socially unwelcome aspects of being a woman in a positive and diverse way.
What also excites me about Moshfeg is her ability to use her skills in new and interesting ways. For Prada’s spring-summer 2025 collection, she wrote 10 short stories based on Steven Meisel’s campaign for the brand. In each, actress Carey Mulligan embodies characters whose different lifestyles are represented by Prada looks. I admire Moshfeg’s ability to effortlessly bridge the gap between literature and fashion while capturing the zeitgeist, and I see that as the goal in my own work. —Lisa Zirngast, affiliate editor, Glamour Germany
Rosalía
Rosalía inspires me on every level—as a writer, composer, performer, public figure, and woman. She always dares to be bold, to try new things, and to take on new challenges. Her album Motomami is one of the musical works that best defines the sensibility of our time. —María Mérida, fashion editor, Glamour Spain
Helena Steinhaus
If you follow German social activist Helena Steinhaus’s work, you’ll see a woman fighting for the visibility and financial security of people affected by poverty. With her organisation Sanktionsfrei, founded in 2015, she’s committed to ensuring financial support for those who need it, including single mothers caring for disabled children. Sanktionsfrei then steps in with payments, tops up shortages, or helps with legal support to take action against the sanctions.
In addition to this vital work, the organisation also does a lot of destigmatisation and political education work, talking about the many reasons for receiving a citizen’s allowance, the shame and psychological stress that comes with it, and how people at risk for poverty are actively denied social spaces. Her work is perhaps more important than ever in Germany today, where it only became clear again in the last election campaign that recipients of citizens’ income (together with refugees) are repeatedly used as scapegoats for conservative and right-wing politicians who do not offer sustainable solutions. —Katharina Walser, adaptation editor, Glamour Germany
Dr. Annabel Sowemimo
We’ve still got a long way to go in terms of equal reproductive health rights for all across the world, but Dr. Annabel Sowemimo is making waves in the UK. She is the founder of the Reproductive Justice Initiative, a British charity dedicated to addressing health inequalities and racial disparities in all areas of reproductive care, which won grassroots organisation of the year at the 2020 Sexual Health Awards and a National LGBTQ Health Advisor award in 2022. And in 2024, Sowemimo herself was awarded the inaugural award for Health Equity Champion at the Curah-H Awards—which honours exceptional women in the health industry in the UK. She is also the author of Divided: Racism, Medicine and Decolonising Healthcare, which was shortlisted for the internationally acclaimed Orwell Prize for Political Writing. In a time where basic human rights are being challenged and withdrawn, it’s reassuring to know Sowemimo is using her voice when so many others can’t. —Sophie Donovan, senior commerce writer, Glamour UK
Nicole Wallace
Recently the Spanish actor Nicole Wallace took 15 flights in a single month—an achievement that alone would be enough to make her my idol of the year. However, joking aside, one of the reasons she is constantly on the move is because she has become one of Spain’s youngest and most promising stars, with three shows currently on Amazon Prime—Culpa Mía (“My Fault”), Cupla Tuya (“Your Fault”), and La Casa de los Espíritus (“The House of Spirits”)—and the series Ni Una Más (“Raising Voices”) on Netflix.
The actor has also emerged as a brave and outspoken advocate against harassment in the film industry, delivering a message that has served as an example and source of encouragement for many other women in the industry. Anyone fortunate enough to have met her knows that her sudden and immense fame has not made Nicole Wallace distant or unapproachable. She embodies grace, kindness, and professionalism. A true inspiration. —Isa Serra, fashion editor, Glamour Spain
SUBJECTS:
Getty Images: Alexia Putellas, Arvida Bytröm, Audra McDonald, Coralie Fargeat, Darkoo, Frida Escobedo, Malala Yousafzai, Mariana Enríquez, Marlene Engelhorn, Mon Laferte, Nicole Wallace, Ottessa Moshfegh, Rosalía, Sandra Weil, Shon Faye, Sinead O'Dwyer
Courtesy of the subject: Asmeret Berhe-Lumax, Eugenia Tenenbaum
Professor Clare McGlynn: Hannah Harley Young
Annabel Sowemimo: Tom Trevatt
Isabel Wilkerson: Leslie Andrews
Nabiha Syed: Alix Schwartz
Eva Ramón Gallegos: Lucía Godínez/EL UNIVERSAL
María Salguero: Instagram
Helena Steinhaus: Oliver Betke
EDITORS:
Courtesy of the subject: Gema Hospido, Isa Serra, Katharina Walser, Kemi Alemoru, Lisa Zirngast, Lucía Tejo, Madeline Dangmann, María Mérida, Paola Juárez, Perrie Samotin, Theresa Pichler, Ursula Schmied, Vicky Vera
Tom Cattanach: Emily Maddick, Lucy Morgan, Rosie Lai, Sophie Donovan
Lauren Brown: Meghan Marin
Stephanie McNeal: Erin Silber
Ruhama Wolle: Marie Killen
Samantha Barry: Rick Wenner
Farah Slim: Esteban Calderón
Joselyne Ortega: Condé Nast Mexico
Antonio Fuentes: Badzka
Gabriela Medina: Rodrigo Flores.
