Over the last 363 days, we’ve had the privilege to get to know some truly extraordinary women and tell their stories. This year, we’ve also met a number of inspiring girls who are rockin’ their corners of the world. Among this esteemed group of future women you will know, there were several, ranging in age from 6-16 with interests in sports, activism, STEM, literacy, space and feminism, who completely blew us all away. In case you missed their stories, now’s your chance to catch up and meet them…
Fariba, 16 – Activist
After moving from Toronto to Winnipeg last September, 16-year-old Fariba found herself at a new school with a whole new group of girlfriends, many of whom are Indigenous. Immersing herself in her new environment, the 11th grader set out to learn more about the Indigenous people of her country and discovered an inconceivable truth about the staggering number of Aboriginal women and girls who are murdered in Canada each year. Moved to take action, Fariba made this national crisis the subject of a powerful, awareness raising project she recently unveiled at her school. (read full story)
Samatha, 6 – Aspiring Nobel Laureate
Meet 6-year-old Samatha Kranthijanya, a math and science-loving first grader with a trifecta of stellar plans for herself: 1. to be a scientist, 2. to figure out dark matter with her brother, and 3. to win a Nobel Prize. On her quest to solve the intergalactic riddle,she made this awesome video that breaks down the fundamentals using cake to represent dark matter and candy as the stars in the galaxy. In the end, Samatha proves herself to be a charismatic host, an articulate field reporter, and a teacher well beyond her years who makes a complex subject easy to understand… and “very, very yummy” (thanks to her edible props)! (watch/read full story)
Taylor, 12 – Aspiring Astronaut
Meet 12-year-old Taylor Richardson, an aspiring astronaut from Jacksonville, Florida who is on a determined mission to be the first African American woman to travel to Mars. So when the 6th grade honors student, triathlete, Girl Scout, literacy advocate, anti-bullying crusader, and agent of STEAM had the opportunity to meet her idol, physician and NASA astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to travel in space, she described the moment as “a definite dream come true.” We caught up with Taylor (aka Astronaut StarBright) to talk about this, the importance of dreaming big and, of course, her love of space, and this inspiring, articulate, wise-beyond-her-years girl blew us all away. (read full story)
Samaya, 6 – Basketball Phenom
Samaya Clark-Gabriel is your average 6-year-old, but when she has a basketball in her hands something truly extraordinary happens. Over the last few months, the pint-sized baller has developed a crazy skill set that defies age, physicality, and logic, earning her the hometown moniker “Brooklyn Phenom”. Her parents say Samaya only “picked up basketball in December 2015”, but is already well on her way to having “better dribbling skills than NBA superstar Stephen Curry.” (watch/read full story)
Madison, 14 – Feminist, WYSK “Alabama Squad”
In July, our co-founders attended the UN Empowering Women And Girls 2030 Summit where, after a chance encounter with an inspiring NASA In-space Manufacturing Project Manager, they learned about a group of pioneering 9th grade girls who have started the first-ever feminist club at their high school in Alabama. It’s the brainchild of 14-year-old Madison Werkheiser who – cue unbridled cheers – counts Women You Should Know as “one of their primary motivators and resources”! With our pride-filled hearts soaring, the WYSK team sprung into action and sent off a care package to Madison and her friends. This is the priceless note we received in response. (read full story)
Meagan, 13 – CEO
My name is Meagan Warren and I am 13 years old. I am the CEO and Founder of Books For Bedtime, a 501(c)3 public charity founded to help those children who have no books get the books they need to stay on the right path of life. I am an advocate for literacy. (read full story)