Positive Female Role Models of Today

A role model in the flesh provides more than inspiration; his or her very existence is confirmation of possibilities one may have every reason to doubt, saying ‘Yes, someone like me can do this’.

Sonia Sotomayor – Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States

As the world of social media takes over society, wading through the negative influences in search of positive female role models is difficult. A quick search into google, and up pop role models from history or the top influencers of 2019. Whilst Florence Nightingale and Kylie Jenner might have impacted the world, they are hardly relatable for todays female generations. Finding positive role models of today, who women and girls everywhere can look up to, was harder than I expected!

So here are three inspirational women of today. Women who represent my concept of positive female role models in 2019 for women and girls everywhere.

Khadijah Mellah

If you haven’t watched ‘Riding A Dream’ on ITV yet, you must! A documentary film following the rise to victory for Khadijah Mellah, an 18 year old girl from Peckham who took the world by storm this summer. Khadijah has become famous partly for being the first women to compete in Horse Racing whilst wearing a Hijab, and for winning the Magnolia Cup. But that is not the only reason she deserves to be on this list. Just four months before the Magnolia Race at Goodwood Race course, Khadijah had never ridden a horse.

Khadijars mother stumbled across a leaflet in her local mosque, about The Ebony Horse Club in Brixton. Before long, Khadijah was training to be a jockey whilst fasting for Ramadan AND successfully completing her A-levels. Studying maths, physics and design technology.

‘…she crossed
that line
to victory!’

Despite many falls and the shock of failing her first assessment at the British Racing School, she continued undeterred. She pushed on, trained harder and didn’t shy away from adversity. Khadijah never expected to win the Magnolia Race, but hard work pays off, and she crossed that line to victory!

Three months on from race day, Khadijah is sat beside the Duchess of Cornwall watching herself on the big screen. Her story is broadcast to millions. An inspiration to girls everywhere, Khadijah proves you can achieve anything!

Follow: @khadijahmellah

Greta Thunberg

Born in January 2003 in Stockholm, Greta is the youngest of the role models of the list. At just 16 years old, Greta is internationally known as an activist for climate change.

As a child, Greta had heard about climate change, and recounts being confused why so little action was being taken against it. For two years Greta sort to persuade her parents to reduce their carbon footprint by giving up meat and flying. An especially big deal for her mother, an international opera singer reliant on air travel. Greta however received support from her family, which she credits for giving her the hope and belief that she had the power to make a difference.

Fast forward to August 2018. Greta, aged 15, decided she would not attend school until the Swedish general election, following heatwaves and wildfires. She began spending her school days peacefully protesting outside Swedish Parliament. Holding a sign brandishing the words “Skolstrejk för klimatet“, School strike for climate. Greta’s actions inspired an international movement as other students began striking in their own communities. In March 2019, over one million protesters striked in allegiance.

Greta has since given public speeches on climate changes all over the world, quickly becoming a recognised activist. Greta published her collection of public speeches in a book, donating all proceeds to charity. Greta was diagnosed with Asperges during childhood, and claims her selective mutism means she only speaks when necessary. Pretty powerful. She constantly faces opposition and negativity, but she continues to be an inspiration to all.

Greta’s bravery, hard work ethic and born drive to change the world for the better, makes her an extremely positive role model for girls everywhere.

Books: No One Is Too Small To Make A Difference

Follow: @gretathunberg

Refilwe Ledwaba

That it was one of my down moments because I am thinking that I worked so hard. I did well at university. I am supposed to go to medical school but I can’t go now and now I have to become an air hostess. You think life dealt you another blow, but that is when everything changed.

Refilwe Ledwaba Forbes Africa

Refilwe Ledwaba grew up in Lenyenye, a township in South Africa, with her single-parent mother and six siblings. Growing up with the ambition to become a doctor, her dreams were crushed by the rocketing university fees she was unable to keep up with. Refilwe instead applied for a job as an air hostess.

Refilwe was inspired by the female pilot’s and soon began taking private flying lessons. Needing cash to fund her lessons, she wrote about 200 letters to companies in South Africa to help fund her new dream. The South African Police Service replied and offered to pay for her training. Refilwe became South Africa’s first black female helicopter pilot!

Refilwe inspires girls everyday, by founding the Girl Fly Programme in Africa Foundation. The non-profit organisation encourages and empowers young women to begin a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

“I want the girls to be successful… Not necessarily to choose to become pilots but to become confident young women who can contribute to society, our economy and give back to our communities.”

Refilwe Ledwaba Forbes Africa

Refilwe is a positive role model who not only teaches us that challenges can lead to opportunity, but that we have a world of opportunity out there. You just have to find and chase it.

Website: Girl Fly Programme in Africa Foundation

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