Happy International Women’s Day! While we champion women everyday here at perfume.com, today’s an extra special day to pay attention to the incredible women changing the world in so many different ways.
This year’s theme is #EmbraceEquity, which aims to show us why equal opportunities just aren’t enough.
So, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite inspiring women who are driving the change towards equity. Read on for some of the women we’ll be celebrating today and a few of our top perfumes inspired by women.
What is International Women’s Day?
International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. Each year comes with a new theme focused on raising awareness of issues like gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.
Greta Thunberg
Greta Thunberg single-handedly turned a one-woman protest into a global project. Her incredible “Fridays For Future” movement has so far challenged world leaders, international corporations, and other people around the world to think about the future of the planet and the repercussions of global warming. She’s also gone viral a handful of times, putting everyone from Donald Trump to Andrew Tate in their places.
A Greta-inspired fragrance: Braccialini Green by Braccialini. It’s potent, attention-grabbing, and youthful.
Malala Yousafzai
She’s won a Nobel Peace Prize, drew attention to the plight of female education in Pakistan, and has established a variety of education initiatives across the world: it’s fair to say that Malala Yousafzai will forever be one of the most inspirational women around. Fighting for every child to have the right to education, Malala was awarded Pakistan’s first Youth National Peace Prize back in 2011 and has also been named one of the world’s Most Influential Teens.
A Malala-inspired fragrance: Eternity by Calvin Klein. It’s passionate, timeless, and beautifully vibrant.
Oprah Winfrey
Household name Oprah’s list of impressive achievements is one that just keeps on going. In the past, she’s been called “the most powerful woman in the world” and her foundation, the Oprah Winfrey Foundation, has helped thousands of women and children across the world. A few examples of her work include the $40 million school for disadvantaged girls in South Africa that Oprah opened back in 2007 and the youth centers and homes she’s funded further afield.
An Oprah-inspired fragrance: Happy by Clinique. Oprah’s all about optimism and happiness and this gorgeous scent is the epitome of just that!
Megan Rapinoe
American professional soccer player Megan Rapinoe was one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2020 and is well-known for her activism work. Not only is she a world class athlete, but she’s also a champion for LGBTQ+ rights and gender equality. She was also awarded FIFA’s Women’s Player of the Year and won the Ballon d’Or as the best female player in the world.
A Megan-inspired fragrance: Jil Sander Sport by Jil Sander. This sporty scent is one for champions and matches Megan’s exhilarating personality.
Simone Biles
Simone Biles is the most decorated women’s gymnast ever, with 32 World and Olympic medals to her name. Considered the Greatest of All Time in the world of gymnastics, Simone is also the first female African-American to be an all-around world champion and speaks loudly about mental health.
A Simone-inspired fragrance: Beyonce Rise by Beyonce. From one GOAT to another, Rise is fruity, fresh, and endlessly captivating.
Halima Aden
Supermodel Halima Aden made waves in the fashion industry when she became the first hijab-wearing supermodel after she wore a hijab in the Miss Minnesota USA pageant. Quickly signed by IMG Models, Halima went on to cover the likes of Vogue Magazine, before quitting the industry after realizing it was incompatible with her religious beliefs. But Halima didn’t quit the industry entirely: she now champions modest fashion as a brand ambassador.
A Halima-inspired fragrance: Red by Giorgio Beverly Hills. Red is rich, unwavering, and offers a heady boost of confidence.
Melinda Gates
Melinda Gates might have started out as a Microsoft employee but she’s now co-owner of the world’s largest private charitable foundation and is a huge advocate for equality. Melinda works in the fields of global poverty, inequality and global health through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which has donated more than $50 billion in grants throughout the years to reduce inequity. She’s especially passionate about causes that help women and children and was the first woman to have given away more than $40 billion.
A Melinda-inspired fragrance: Giorgio Armani My Way by Giorgio Armani. An adventure in scent form with a deliciously feminine, comforting blend of floral notes.
Jacinda Ardern
When Jacinda Ardern announced she was stepping down as New Zealand’s Prime Minister, she received a lot of backlash and questioning as to whether she was strong enough for the role. In fact, as well as becoming the world’s youngest female head of government at age 37 and the world’s second elected head of government to give birth while in office, Jacinda showed us all that a true leader knows when to step down.
A Jacinda-inspired fragrance: Woman In Gold by Kilian. The smell of success with true versatility, this powerful scent is both invigorating and seriously special.
We’ve finished talking you through our round up of our favorite women on International Women’s Day, so now you can head over to perfume.com to choose your own powerful woman scent.
Georgie Darling is a freelance lifestyle and travel writer from London, England. Her work has been published in ELLE, Yahoo, Red, Grazia, and Tripadvisor, amongst others. When she’s not writing, Georgie spends most of her time travelling to new countries and scuba diving. She’s been an avid fragrance lover since a young age and considers Alaïa by Alaïa Paris to be her signature scent.
