IGNITE's Blog

We not only remember our past trailblazers but also celebrate our current HERstorymakers. From science labs to television stations to Congress, women have continued to break barriers in every field. Women win cases, run for public office, close deals, write codes, lead startups, save lives and so on. In this article, we zero in on the profiles of some of the extraordinary HERstorymakers of today and thank them for inspiring women across the country and the globe. 

As one of the youngest members of the Kansas Legislatures and an IGNITE alum, Christina Haswood is currently making strides for Indigenous women across the country. 

Gretchen Whitmer, the Governor of Michigan, has made strides for American women in politics. Born and raised in Michigan, she has had a long love of politics and public service. She was born to two lawyers and grew up surrounded by the importance of law and public service. Whitmer attended both undergrad and law school in Michigan at Michigan State and the Detroit College of Law, respectively. 

These young activists are using their voice to make a difference. Learn more about their work and discover how you can get involved in activism.

Nsé Ufot, the CEO of the New Georgia Project, has been working hard her whole career to ensure voter protection and promote civic engagement. Born in Nigeria and raised in Atlanta, her ties to Georgia run deep. Ufot received her Bachelor of Science degree from Georgia Institute of Technology before pursuing her law degree from the University of Dayton. 

At just twenty-three years old, Nadya Okamoto has already made waves in combating the stigma of periods for fellow menstruators. The former IGNITE Boston Fellow fought against the Tampon Tax, which taxes these items as luxury goods, and has used her position to lift stereotypes against people with periods. 

This Women’s History Month at IGNITE, we’ll be spotlighting several powerful women in our community. Kicking us off is Cecilia Silva, a passionate and seasoned IGNITE alum who currently works for ReflectUS to increase representation in politics. 

March 1, 2021, marks the 35th Women’s History Month. This annual month-long commemoration of honoring the profound contributions of women dates back to 1987. While Women’s History Month is centered on paying tribute to our extraordinary foremothers who fought for our right to vote, it tends to overlook the herstory makers of today. This year, IGNITE will be featuring several ambitious, strong, and inspiring women who are currently writing herstory with their work.

Judge Constance Baker Motley changed the course of history forever. In addition to  serving in many positions and championing justice and equality throughout her life, she made many legal landmarks possible. Learn more about Judge Motley’s life and phenomenal contributions below. 

From unsung heroes to the famed Ava DuVernay, Black women play a vital role in society and have extraordinary stories to share. Check out these shows and movies that center Black women and tell the stories that deserve to be heard.