Spotlight: Women in Politics Who Inspire The Opinionated Staff

March is known as 'Women's History' month, and what better way to celebrate than to highlight some of our favorite women in politics? From activists to politicians to even celebrities-- these women have not only inspired our staff members but are part of a long line of trailblazers within a heavily male-dominated field. As a non-profit that seeks to highlight all sides of the aisle, the following women come from various political ideologies, backgrounds, and walks of life.

We asked our staff to write about women who inspire them. Here are the women our staff is celebrating this month:

Rachel Corrie

Activist

"I was born in 2004, almost exactly one year after Rachel Corrie was murdered by an Israeli bulldozer while partaking in a nonviolent attempt to save a Palestinian family's home from demolition. While we never were alive at the same time-- as her life was cut drastically short-- I have spent the last few years feeling incredibly inspired by her unwithering resolve for human rights, peace, and Palestinian liberation. Corrie is an example of someone who truly cared about their fellow human, and this comes across clearly in her emails during her time in Palestine. May her memory forever live on and may the Palestinian people finally be free."

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Representative (D-NY 14)

"She is showing the excellence of being Latino in a country full of white & privileged men who want to silence the voices of POC"

"She came from a humble background, went to college, was a bartender for a while after, then somewhat randomly decided to run for office. She didn’t let anyone [make her] feel like she wasn’t qualified or educated enough. And in a short time after being elected, became one of the most known representatives. She fiercely speaks up for her district and Americans in general."

"She goes against the status quo and really stands up for her beliefs and doesn’t comply with harsh republican agendas. She’s a good reminder that young leaders can also make a change"

Erin Morrow Hawley

Vice President of the Center for Life & Regulatory Practice @ Alliance Defending Freedom

"[She inspires me because] she has worked to overturn 60-year-old Supreme Court cases. She has a strong, admirable faith. While her husband is well known in politics, she blazes her own path, being a Supreme Court attorney."

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Former President of Sierra Leone

"I deeply admire her persistence in working towards a more democratic future in Liberia. She was not elected her first time running for the presidency, and was even imprisoned and exiled from the country, but returned with full force to fight for a better Liberia."

Susan Collins

Senator (R-ME)

"She stands up for what she thinks is right, no matter the pressure."

Rashida Tlaib

Representative (D-MI 12)

"Rashida Tlaib inspires me because she embodies fearless leadership, unwavering integrity, and a deep commitment to justice. As the first Palestinian-American woman in Congress, she has broken barriers while staying true to her working-class roots and fighting for policies that uplift marginalized communities. Her unapologetic advocacy for everyone shows the kind of courage that challenges the status quo, even in the face of relentless opposition. Tlaib’s resilience and dedication remind me that politics should be about people, not power, and she inspires me to lead with both conviction and compassion."

Madeline Albright

Former U.S Secretary of State

"[She inspires me because] she was the first woman Secretary of State. Her foreign policy was that of empathy and critical thinking. Being one of the highest-ranking women at the time--fourth in the line of succession-- she held herself high with grace while still putting her foot down."

Jane Fonda

Actress & Activist

"I first fell in love with Jane Fonda after watching her show 'Grace & Frankie' with my Mom-Mom. I decided one day to look her up and was flooded with her endless pursuits--since her teenage years-- of her activism on issues ranging from the Vietnam War, Feminism, LGBTQ+ Rights, and Climate Change. She has become an absolute icon in my life, and the fact that she is still, at 87 years old, fighting for the rights of people everywhere makes me hope to be a sliver of the woman she is in my lifetime. She is someone who has never shied away from a fight (even ending up on Richard Nixon's 'enemy' list) and is steadfast in her beliefs. Fonda is one in a million."

Fatima Jinnah

Leader of the Opposition of Pakistan

"During the early years of Pakistan, she served as a national symbol of unity and laid the foundation for subsequent prominent women in Pakistani politics such as Benazir Bhutto and Maryam Nawaz."

Nadia Whittome

MP for Nottingham East in UK Parliament

"I love her unapologetic stance on several major issues, including labor and disability rights. She's quite vocal about the government's reassessment of disability criteria evaluation and social security benefits. Moreover, her advocacy for Palestinian liberation and dissenting from the Israeli apartheid in the otherwise complicit UK government environment is commending. The fact that she's a young representation in the UK Parliament speaks volumes about the kind of people we need representing our voices in governments around the world."

Maxine Dexter

Representative (OR-03)

"Her background as a female doctor is inspiring, especially now that abortion rights are under attack. On an ideology level, she is more progressive than me but treads the perfect line between being progressive and moderate and being reasonable and pragmatic. As a legislator in Oregon, she refused to accept that we could not solve our problems and came up with innovative solutions that brought both sides together. Now, in Congress, she has been unrelenting in her opposition to President Trump while working to pass laws and constantly engaging with her constituents."

Jasmine Crockett

Representative (D-TX 30)

"[She inspires me because] it feels like she’s really speaking from her mind."

Happy Women's History Month!

Photo Credit [in order of appearance]

[Header]: Made on Canva

[1]-The Rachel Corrie Foundation

[2]- The New York Times

[3]- Missouri Lawyers

[4]-Susan Collins Official Facebook

[5]-CBS News

[6]-Wikipedia

[7]-Associated Press

[8]- Verified Learning

[9]- UK Parliament

[10]-League of Conservation Voters

[11]- Vogue by Temi Lawson

[12]-Bruno Vincent | Getty Images