From AOC to Naomi Osaka: The most impactful women of the year
Dr. Christine Blasey Ford: Face of 2018's #MeToo movement
Dr. Christine Blasey Ford caused a furore in the country's political circle when she publicly accused President Donald Trump's Supreme Court Justice nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her when they were teenagers. The psychology professor became the face of the #MeToo movement as she stood in front of a group of senators in a public testimony and withstood excruciating questioning about her sexual assault experience. Dr. Ford's public testimony reportedly resulted in a 147 percent increase in calls to the National Sexual Assault Hotline.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: Youngest woman to serve in Congress
29-year-old Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is set to be the youngest woman to serve in Congress in the history of the United States, after she defeated incumbent Congressman, Democratic Caucus Chair Joe Crowley. The New York Representative, who calls herself a Democratic Socialist, has already become one of the most talked about politicians after the middterm polls. She recently made news when she promised her interns a "living wage" as she actively hit back at her critics who mocked her appearance and age.
Stormy Daniels: Woman who stirred 2018's biggest political scandal
The year 2018 began with an explosive report of a $300,000-worth non-disclosure agreement between adult-film star Stormy Daniels and President Donald Trump. The report stated Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, and Trump had an alleged affair, shortly after the First Lady gave birth to his youngest son Baron Trump. The adult-film star later made the revelation public and sued the president and his lawyer Michael Cohen, claiming the agreement stood nullified because the president hadn't signed it. While that case is still ongoing, it appears to have taken down Cohen, who is now facing a prison sentence for federal crimes.
Naomi Osaka: Winner of Grand Slam title at the US Open
Naomi Osaka, a professional tennis player who represents Japan, made headlines in 2018 after she won her historic first Grand Slam title in September, beating the legendary Serena Williams in a controversial US Open final. The particular game caused a furore as Osaka's win was overshadowed by Williams' behavior during the game, who called the umpire a "thief." Osaka is our pick as she was denied the appreciation she deserves for becoming the first Japanese player to win a Grand Slam singles title.
Emma Gonzalez: Face of the Student-led anti-gun violence protests
The 19-year-old was among the students who survived the deadly shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Emma Gonzalez, who witnessed her friends dying in the carnage, became the face of a major student-led anti-gun movement — 'Never Again' — in the country as she publicly spoke against gun violence and the NRA. She also led mass protests and demonstrations in the country, asking for gun reform from the government.
Donna Strickland: Third Woman in history to win Nobel Prize in Physics
The Canadian optical physicist and pioneer in the field of pulsed lasers, Donna Strickland, made headlines in 2018 as she won the coveted Nobel Prize for physics earlier this year, inspiring girls and women across the world. The 55-year-old, who is a professor at the University of Waterloo, was given the prize together with Gérard Mourou, for the invention of chirped pulse amplification. Strickland’s win is historic in more than one way. It’s been 55 years since the last time a woman was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics and she is only the third woman to receive the prize in the Nobel’s 117-year existence.
Michelle Obama: Woman who ended the year with an impact
Even though Michelle Obama has been in news throughout the year for her inspirational speeches and endeavors towards girls' education, the former first lady ended the year with a massive success in the former of her new autobiography 'Becoming'. As her book made headlines, 'Becoming', which details the lawyer's personal life experiences, flew off the shelves to sell over 1.4 million copies in the first week of its release. Obama's books sold out at the rate of almost nine copies per second, on its very first day, making her memoir the fastest-selling book of 2018.