Are you familiar with these influential activists?
Activists are people who actively engage in promoting and championing for political, social, environmental, or economic change. They’re generally driven by a strong sense of justice and a huge desire to address and rectify societal matters.
Through their actions, these influential activists seek to create a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable world for present and future generations.
So on that note, continue reading to learn a bit more about the top 12 most influential activists who changed the world we live in today… Some of these may even surprise you!
Martin Luther King Jr.
As one of the 20th century’s best-known advocates for human rights, MLK was a prominent Civil Rights activist who led the battle against racism and apartheid in the United States and fought for the empowerment of the African-American community.
This influential activist was born on January 15th, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia. A Christian by faith, he initially took a role as the pastor of a Baptist church. The Civil Rights legend was a moral leader who used peaceful ways and civil disobedience to combat racism.
He was especially inspired by Indian freedom warrior Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent activism. He was particularly acknowledged throughout the world for his iconic and eloquent “I have a dream” speech in 1963.
All in all, he had the ability to inspire millions through his remarks, making him an outstanding speaker in the history of the United States. King was pivotal in the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act.
This influential activist was also awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violent path to eradicating discrimination, racism, and injustice.
His notion of peace and equality lives with the world even in today’s world, and he serves as an inspiration for many people with his endless work toward human rights.
Desmond Tutu
As one of South Africa’s most famous human rights activists who was devoted exclusively to the eradication of apartheid, this influential activist fought tirelessly for racial justice and LGBT rights. Desmond Tutu
was born on October 7th, 1931, in Klerksdorp, South Africa.
The upbeat clergyman became Johannesburg’s first Black bishop and thereafter the Cape Town Archbishop. This role gave him a platform to criticize the apartheid system as evil and unjust. Tutu put in all his actions for the downfall of South Africa’s brutal regime of oppression against the locals.
He championed equal rights for a standard education system and all South Africans. Impacted by nonviolence, he called for an economic boycott of the nation. As a result, the government withdrew his passport and banned him from travelling abroad.
Still, the incident got attention worldwide, and because of tension and financial pressure from other nations, the cruel government had to reform. Tutu’s passport was restored after this. In 1984, he accepted the Nobel Prize for Peace for his endless dedication and support towards fraternity, humanity, and democracy.
After the end of apartheid, this influential activist was selected as Chair of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission. His perspective and ideals of an equal world are what impact lives even today, when he’s not with us anymore. He lives on through positive activism, equality, and great dedication.
Dolores Huerta
Dolores Huerta is a famous American labor leader and civil rights activist who devoted her life to battling for the rights of women, farmworkers, and marginalized communities.
Born in 1930, this influential activist co-founded the United Farm Workers with Cesar Chavez. This labor union fought for better working conditions, fair wages, and labor rights for agricultural workers.
She played a major role in organizing boycotts, strikes, and protests, using nonviolent tactics to raise awareness about farmworkers’ hardships and demand justice. Her activism extended beyond labor rights, though.
She vigorously advocated for women’s empowerment and gender equality, coining the powerful phrase “Sí, se puede,” meaning “Yes, we can”, which became a rallying cry for the social justice movements and the Latino community.
Huerta fought for legislation and policies that protected women’s rights by advocating for healthcare access and reproductive rights. This influential activist’s position continues to inspire generations of activists, and she has obtained numerous honors and awards for her tireless dedication to social justice and equality.
Her influence on the labor movement and her relentless commitment to inspiring marginalized communities have solidified her as an iconic figure in the battle for civil rights.
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, one of the most influential activists, was born on July 18th 1918 in South Africa. He was a central figure in the Anti-apartheid movement and battled for democracy. He was also a crucial lawyer with a significant interest in democracy and politics.
The South African activist extended his position to being a global advocate for human rights. He was the leader of the protests in South Africa, because of which he was put in prison for nearly three decades between 1962 and 1990, and that’s how he became the face of the apartheid movement at both national and global levels.
Later in 1994, he became the first democratically elected black President of a free South Africa. After his presidency ended in 1999, he continued to work for peace, health, and human rights internationally. He was ready and active in campaigning for HIV/AIDS, as well, and was also a Nobel Peace laureate.
Well-recognized for his service to humanity as an international peacemaker and human rights lawyer, this influential activist continues to inspire people even today.
To recognize his efforts towards peace, humanity, and freedom, the United Nations has declared July 18th as the Nelson Mandela International Day. The world cherishes his values and dedication.
Susan B. Anthony
As one of the greatest influential activists of the Women’s Suffrage movement, Anthony was born on February 15th, 1820, in Adams, Massachusetts. The Women’s rights activist devoted her life to gender, racial, and educational equality.
She established the National Women’s Suffrage Association in 1869 and was even arrested in 1872 for voting in the presidential election. The Social reformer played a critical role in shaping the democratic history of the United States.
She had been a prominent activist in the Women’s Suffrage movement, which resulted in the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote in the United States of America. So, the 19th Amendment is also known as the “Susan B. Anthony Amendment”.
She also fought for women to have the right to own property with the support of labor organizations. She was significant in publishing The Revolution, a women’s rights newspaper.
This influential activist was the first woman to appear on an American coin. She worked enthusiastically for women’s rights and is an inspirational symbol for women everywhere.
Brenda Howard
The pioneering activist was extremely involved in the feminist movement and fought for gay rights. She also played a pivotal role in the movement against the Vietnam War. Born on December 24th, 1946, in New York. In 1970, she organized the first Pride parade and popularized the use of the term “pride” in the LGBT community.
She was a prominent member of the Gay Liberation Front and was chair of the Gay Activists Alliance. Brenda was also a lead member of the early bisexual political activist group BiPAC. In her honor, the Brenda Howard Memorial award was formed in 2005.
She serves as a major role model for the LGBT community. This influential activist’s drive and determination to work for female and homosexual rights make her a Staunch activist and a renowned social activist.
Malala Yousafzai
A determined symbol for the promoter of girls’ education and freedom worldwide, born on July 12th, 1997, in Pakistan, Malala is the daughter of a father who ran a girls’ school in their small village. Impacted by her father, this influential activist was passionate about knowledge and education from an early age.
At a very young age, she thought to stand up against the Tough Taliban rules. At the age of eleven, Yousafzai started blogging anonymously in 2009. She used the pen name’ Gul Makai’ and spoke about her life under the rule of the Taliban.
She and her family were forced to leave their homes due to tensions from the Taliban’s side, but this didn’t limit her passion towards education and promoting equal rights for girls’ education.
Over the next couple of years, she voiced out loud for girls’ education in the media and campaigned for Pakistani girls’ access to free, quality education. Following this, the fifteen-year-old was attacked by the Taliban while returning from her school. She was shot in the head by the Taliban in 2012.
However, she survived. After months of treatment, she was able to recover. This was no less than a nightmare for any teenager who heard the story of Malala. Even for this influential activist, the incident was unforgettable, but this did not stop her from fighting until every girl could attend school.
She and her father co-founded the Malala Fund in 2013 to bring awareness about girls’ education and empower girls to demand change. In December 203, she became the world’s youngest Nobel Peace Laureate at 17. Her story had a global impact, and people, especially girls, were influenced by her bravery and passion.
Yousafzai has also published her autobiography called “I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban”.
Yousafzai was designated as the United Nations Messenger of Peace in 2017 to aid in raising awareness of the significance of girls’ education worldwide. Having been named to Times100 thrice, this passion has wholeheartedly worked to impact the lives of females worldwide and continues to do so even today.
Harriet Tubman
As a social reformer and political activist who battled for the abolition of slavery, Tubman was born in Maryland in 1822. She was a victim of slavery from a very young age in her life. But she overcame a severe disability and matured into a rigid field worker.
In 1849, this influential activist fled to Philadelphia. And after fleeing the chains of slavery, she became a key operator of the Underground Railroad, a secret network of routes and people that helped other enslaved individuals escape.
She jeopardized her own life to liberate many enslaved people and, therefore, was also called by many as “Moses”. Tubman became the first woman to lead an armed military raid during the Civil War in 1863. She also acted as a spy, scout, and nurse.
Tubman is one of the United States of America’s most recognized, lauded, and courageous heroes. She stood up valiantly against unjust slavery. This influential activist is recognized worldwide for her fight for freedom and human rights.
Ella Baker
Ella Baker was a key figure in the civil rights movement, well-known for her unwavering dedication to empowering marginalized communities and grassroots organizing. Born in 1903, this influential activist became involved at an early age and played a substantial role in different civil rights organizations throughout her career.
She worked closely with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and was an instrumental person in founding the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
And Ella believed in the power of grassroots organizing and local leadership over centralized authority, which ultimately led her to co-found the organization In Friendship in the 60s, fostering participatory democracy and encouraging ordinary people to fight for their rights vigorously.
Baker’s activism technique focused on promoting leadership and collective action within communities. This influential activist championed empowering people to create lasting change, emphasizing that strong movements were created from the bottom up.
Helen Keller
As an advocate for the rights of people with disabilities and a leading political activist, Helen Keller was born on June 27th, 1880, in Tuscumbia, Alabama. This influential activist was born normal but lost both her hearing and sight when she was only a year and a half old.
Despite being young and hearing impaired, she became one of the 20th century’s most influential activists and humanitarians. Unbounded by circumstances, she became the first deaf and blind person to get a college degree. In addition to these facts about her, Keller was an American author who wrote several articles and 13 books.
Her first book, “The Story of My Life,” was issued in 1905. She worked and lectured all over the world on behalf of disabled people. She encountered topics such as faith, blindness prevention, birth control, the rise of fascism, and women’s suffrage.
She also played a big role in establishing several foundations, such as the American Civil Liberties Union and many others. She used her weakness as her strength.
This influential activist was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964 to recognize her accomplishments and was elected to the Women’s Hall of Fame in 1965. By overcoming difficulties, she grew into a phenomenal and well-renowned activist.
Carter G. Woodson
Carter G. Woodson was an influential African-American journalist, historian, and author who devoted his whole life to promoting the study of African-American history and contesting the persisting racial biases and discrimination in American society.
Born in 1875, this influential activist faced multiple obstacles in pursuing his education but continued seeking knowledge. Woodson started the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915 to promote the study and preservation of black history.
He’s best known for also founding “Negro History Week” in 1926, which later turned into Black History Month. Through his activism and writings, he sought to counter the malformed and often ignored narratives of African Americans in history textbooks and academia.
Woodson’s work, “The Mis-Education of the Negro,” critically looked at the education system’s letdowns in providing an inclusive and accurate understanding of African-American contributions to American society.
This influential activist’s tireless efforts as an activist and historian laid the foundation for the celebration and recognition of African-American history, helping to promote a deeper appreciation for the many contributions of black Americans.
Rosa Parks
Well-known all around the world as the “First Lady of Civil Rights,” Parks was a pioneer in the American Revolution against racism and color segregation. Born as Rosa McCauley on February 4th, 1913, in Alabama, this influential activist faced a lot of prejudices and racial inequality in her life.
What made Parks recognized was the incident that happened on December 1st, 1955. She refused to leave her seat at the front of a bus for a white passenger, which led to the iconic Montgomery Bus Boycott. This boycott lasted for 381 days and was a huge triumph.
The protest resulted in the Supreme Court’s ruling proclaiming segregation on public transit systems unconstitutional.
Her determination led her to work with Martin Luther King Jr., and she was awarded the “Congressional Gold Medal of Honor,” which happens to be the highest possible honor a civilian can get in the United States of America.
Rosa died in 2005 at 92 years old, but nowadays she symbolizes courage, integrity, and great determination. She lives on forever as the “mother of the freedom movement.”
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