We named 2017 the year of women and as 2018 comes to a close, we see now more than ever that 2018 has followed that pattern and then some. With thelast days of 2018 on the horizon, we wanted to share, remember and learn from the milestones and triumphs women all over the world have succeeded in during this past year. Enjoy …
1. After 18 years of fighting, the Australian Federal government agreed to abolish the tampon tax
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2. Beyonce became the first African-American woman to headline Coachella
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3. New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern and baby Neve made history at the UN assembly
Jacinda Ardern and her baby just made history at the UN https://t.co/T3od7CjIIY pic.twitter.com/SCfRgMEy8l
— SBS News (@SBSNews) September 25, 2018
4. Progress! More women than men appointed to ASX 200 boards.
For the first time in Australian corporate history female appointments to ASX 200 boards exceeded male appointments.
5. Christine Blasey Ford testified to US Congress to alleged harassment committed by (nominated) Supreme Court Judge, Brett Kavanaugh.
Like Tarana Burke, Kellyanne Conway, and so many countless women who have said “me too,” Blasey Ford has inspired women to speak out, despite their fears. Women around the world, including many high profile celebrities, supported her with the #WeBelieveHer hashtag.
6. ‘Boys will be boys’ attitude no longer tolerated
The launch of a new Federal Government campaign aimed at preventing violence against women and children targeted the “boys being boys” attitude that still permeates society at a grassroots level.
7. Women in Hollywood started the Time’s Up movement.
8. Saudi Arabia lifts ban on women driving.
9. Oprah delivered a powerful Golden Globes speech, sparking rumours of a presidential candidacy.
10 .The second annual Women’s March in the US took place.
11. More than 150 women confront and testify against Larry Nassar.
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12. Mirai Nagasu landed an historic triple axel at the PyeongChang Olympics.
13. El Salvador freed a woman, Teodora del Carmen Vásquez, who was imprisoned for a decade under the country’s abortion ban.
14. Emma González became the face of the #NeverAgain movement.
American activist and advocate for gun control, Emma González survived the February 2018 Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida, and in response co-founded the gun-control advocacy group Never Again MSD.
15. Frances McDormand called for more inclusion riders in her Oscars speech.
16. Serena Williams’ Grand Slam.
When new mum Serena Williams made her comeback in a black compression catsuit (to help prevent blood clots) tennis officials claimed it didn’t meet the dress standards and subsequently banned it. Her response? She showed up twirling in a lilac tutu to the US Open.
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17. More than 100 women elected to US Congress in historic midterms.
US Midterm Election 2018 was a night of firsts with historic wins for Muslims, Native Americans, women and LGBT candidates.
Including: Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar, the first Muslim congresswomen, Sharice Davids and Deb Haaland, the first Native American congresswomen, Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee’s first female senator, Janet Mills, Maine’s first female governor, Ayanna Pressley, Massachusetts’ first black member of Congress, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the youngest woman in Congress, and Abby Finkenauer, Iowa’s first congresswoman.
18. First NRLW State of Origin and Grand Final matches.
Image: NRL
Karina Brown and Vanessa Foliaki also broke ground sharing a kiss after the inaugural State of Origin. Backlash ensued but the NRL came out swinging with this statement, “If we can post a [photo] of Cooper Cronk and his wife Tara kissing, then we can share a photo of Karina Brown and Ness Foliaki sharing a moment too.”
19. Australia won their fourth World Twenty20 cricket trophy.
20. Ireland legalised abortion
21. Dr Kerryn Phelps elected to House of Representatives in the seat of Wentworth, replacing former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
22. Tracey Spicer launched NOW, Australia’s answer to Time’s Up.
23. At the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, for the first time, there was an equal number of medal events for men and women.
24. Women in Hollywood wore black on the Oscars red carpet in support of #TimesUp
Globally, violence against women and girls affects 1 in 3 women in their lifetime. #TimesUp pic.twitter.com/55MnFKwKo3
— Emma Watson (@EmmaWatson) January 7, 2018
25. Julia Banks resigns from Liberal Party over sexism.
Making the Liberal party’s female representation the lowest it’s been since the 1990s. Look how well it’s going for them…
26. Illinois senator Tammy Duckworth casts a historic vote with her newborn daughter.
The Senate had to first change its outdated rules barring members from bringing guests (including newborns!) onto the Senate floor.
OPINION: Sen. Tammy Duckworth bringing baby to Senate floor shines new light on working parents https://t.co/1dKgY3Q6vX
— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 20, 2018
27. Meghan Markle breaks the rules (consistently)
When Meghan married Prince Harry earlier this year, we did a collective cheer when she walked herself (part way) down the aisle. She also made a game-changing speech about women’s empowerment – and how it’s a priority for her – while she was in Australia.
28. New York Times reporters Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey win the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for exposing Harvey Weinstein’s decades of sexual harassment and assault in Hollywood.
29. Female surfers get equal pay
Thanks to the photo of a male and female surfer holding their prize money cheques that went viral, the World Surf League announces women will be eligible for the same prize money as men in 2019; in 2018, men competed for $607,800, while the women’s prize money was half that at $303,900.
30. Nadia Murad awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Nadia Murad, the 25-year-old Yazidi woman abducted by ISIS in 2014, shares the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize for work to end sexual violence.
“Every day I hear tragic stories. Hundreds of thousands and even millions of children and women around the world are suffering from persecution and violence.”
Watch the full version of Nadia Murad’s powerful Nobel Peace Prize lecture: https://t.co/iOgE4Ldwo3 pic.twitter.com/jqkBbw6avl
— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) December 13, 2018
31. Canadian scientist Donna Strickland (jointly) wins the Nobel Physics Prize.
Donna became the first woman in 55 years to win, and one of only three women to win the award in its more than 100-year history.
It’s been a epic year for women, and we know we feel like we’re only just getting started. Let us know your favourite female focused moments of 2018, and BRING ON 2019!
