Activists are the people who strive to bring positive change to society. The ones who seek to alter the current or the ongoing process, system, and norms. The people who fight against injustice, are intolerable and try to shift the social construct in a more positive direction. Society always has had a balance.
For every negative, we have the positives and vice versa and that’s how the world has functioned from the very beginning. Likewise, the societies have also had rudimentary, strict norms and beliefs against which the activists have been in action. That’s how the balance has been maintained and that’s how we have evolved into a progressive and developed society.
Currently, there are activists in every field such as human rights activists, Environmental activists, Animal Rights activists and many others. Some of history’s biggest shifts have been the result of activism and the ideas they believed in. Let’s look at some of the most influential activists of all time who have contributed much to the positive alterations in society:
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1. Nelson Mandela
“It is easy to break down and destroy. The heroes are those who make peace and build” said the greatest activist of all time - Nelson Mandela.
One of the most influential activists, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born on 18th July 1918 in South Africa. He was a prominent figure in the Anti-apartheid movement and fought for democracy. He was a crucial lawyer who had a significant interest in politics and democracy.
The South African activist extended his role to being a global advocate for human rights. He was the leader of the protests in South Africa due to which he was put behind the bars for nearly three decades (1962-1990) and that’s how he became the face of the apartheid movement at the national and global levels. Later in 1994, he became the first democratically elected black President of free South Africa. After his presidency which got over in 1999. He continued to work for peace, health, and human rights internationally. He was keen and active in campaigning for HIV/AIDS. He was also a Nobel Peace laureate.
Well-recognized for his service to humanity as a human rights lawyer and international peacemaker, Mandela continues to inspire people even today. To recognize his efforts towards humanity, peace, and freedom, the UN has declared 18th July as the ‘Nelson Mandela International Day. The world cherishes his values and dedication.
2. Martin Luther King Jr.
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” - Martin Luther King Jr.
One of the twentieth century’s best-known advocates for human rights. A prominent Civil Rights activist who lead the fight against racism and apartheid in America and fought for empowering rights of the African-American community. He was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta Georgia, U.S. Christian by faith he took over as the Pastor of the baptist church. The Civil rights legend was about a moral leader who used Civil Disobedience and peaceful ways to combat racism. He was greatly inspired by Indian freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent activism.
Well recognized throughout the world for his eloquent and iconic “ I have a dream” speech in August 1963. He had the power of inspiring millions through his words. He has also been one of the greatest speakers in the history of the United States. King played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. He was also awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violent approach to eradicating racism, discrimination, and injustice. His notion of equality and peace lives with the world even today. He serves as an inspiration for many for his endless work toward human rights.
3. Malala Yousafzai
A staunch symbol for the promoter of girls’ education and freedom throughout the world. Born on July 12, 1997, in Pakistan was a daughter of a father who ran a girls’ school in their village. Influenced by her father, Malala was passionate about knowledge and education from a very young 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’. She 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 did not limit her passion towards education and promoting equal rights for girl education. Over the next few years, she spoke out loud for girl education in the media and campaigned for Pakistani girls’ access to free quality education. Following this, the fifteen years old teenager 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 Malala, the incident was unforgettable, but this did not stop her from fighting until every girl could go to school. She along with her father co-founded the Malala Fund in 2013 to bring awareness about girl education and empower girls to demand change.
In December 203 she went on to become the World’s youngest Nobel Peace Laureate only at the age of 17. Her story had a global impact and people especially girls were influenced by her bravery and passion. Yousafzai has also published her autobiography entitled, “I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban”. Malala was designated as ‘The United Nations Messenger of Peace in 2017 to help raise awareness of the significance of girl education around the world. Having been named to Times100 thrice, this passion has wholeheartedly worked to make an impact on the lives of females around the world and continues to do so even today.
4. Rosa Parks
Well known around the globe as the “ First Lady of Civil Rights “ was a frontier in the American Revolution against color segregation and racism. Born as Rosa Louise McCauley on February 4, 1913, in Alabama. She faced racial inequality and prejudices in her life. What made Parks famous was the incident that happened on December 1, 1995. She refused to leave her bus seat for a white passenger which led to the iconic Montgomery Bus Boycott.
The Montgomery Bus Boycott lasted for 381 days and was a huge success. The protest resulted in Supreme Court’s ruling declaring segregation on public transit systems as unconstitutional. Her determination led her to work with Martin Luther King Jr. and she was awarded the ‘Congressional Gold Medal of Honor, the highest honour a civilian can receive in the United States. Rosa died in 2005 at the age of 92 but today she serves as a symbol of courage, integrity and great determination. She lives on forever as the “ mother of the freedom movement “.
5. Desmond Tutu
“Forgiveness is not just an altruistic act, but one born of self-interest. Forgiveness helps give people the resilience to survive and remain human in the face of all efforts to dehumanize them.” - Desmond Tutu
One of South Africa’s well-known human rights activists who was devoted solely to the eradication of apartheid. Tutu worked tirelessly for racial justice and LGBT rights. Born on October 7, 1931, in Klerksdorp, South Africa. The buoyant, clergyman became the first Black bishop of Johannesburg and later Archbishop of Cape Town. This position gave him a platform to denounce the apartheid system as unjust and evil.
Tutu put in all efforts for the downfall of South Africa’s brutal regime of oppression against the Blacks. He advocated for equal rights for all South Africans and a system of common education. Influenced by nonviolence he called for an economic boycott of the country. The government revoked his passport and barred him from travelling abroad but the incident got attention worldwide and due to economic pressure and tension from other countries, the brutal government had to reform. Tutu’s passport was restored.
In 1984 he received the Nobel Prize for Peace for his endless support and dedication towards humanity, fraternity and democracy. After the termination of apartheid, he was appointed as Chair of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission. His ideals and his perspective of an equal world are what influence lives even today when he is not with us. He lives with us in forms of equality, positive activism and great dedication.
6. Susan B. Anthony
“I declare to you that woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself, and there I take my stand.” - Susan B. Anthony
One of the great influential activists of the Women’s Suffrage movement. She was born on February 15, 1820, in Adams, Massachusetts. The Women’s rights activist devoted her life to gender, racial and educational equality. She founded the National Women’s Suffrage Association in 1869. She was arrested in 1872 for voting in the presidential election. The Social reformer played a key 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.
Thus 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 labour organisations. She played a major role in publishing The Revolution, a women’s rights newspaper. Anthony was the first woman to appear on a U.S. coin. She worked enthusiastically for women’s rights and continues to be an inspirational symbol for women around the world.
7. Helen Keller
“Until the great mass of the people shall be filled with the sense of responsibility for each other's welfare, social justice can never be attained” - Helen Keller
A leading political activist and advocate for the rights of the disabled. She was born on June 27, 1880, in Tuscumbia, Alabama. She was born normal but lost both her sight and hearing when she was 19 months old. Despite being deaf and young she became one of the 20th century’s influential activists and humanitarians. Unbounded by conditions she became the first deaf and blind person to earn a college degree.
In addition to these facts about her, Keller was an American author who wrote 13 books and several articles. Her first book, “The Story of My Life” was published in 1905. She worked and lectured around 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 an instrumental role in establishing several foundations such as the American Civil Liberties Union and many more. She used her weakness as her strength. To recognize her accomplishments she was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964 and elected to The Women’s hall of Fame in 1965. By overcoming difficulties she grew into a remarkable and well-renowned activist.
8. Brenda Howard
The pioneering bisexual activist was deeply involved in the feminist movement and gay rights. She also played a key role in the movement against the Vietnam war. Born on December 24, 1946, in New York, United States. In 1970, she organized the first Pride parade and popularized the use of the word “pride” in the LGBT community. She was a prominent member of the Gay Liberation Front and chaired the Gay Activists Alliance. Brenda was also a guiding member of the early bisexual political activist group BiPAC, USA.
In her honour, the Brenda Howard Memorial award was created in 2005. She serves as a role model for the LGBT community. Her drive and determination to work for female, gay and lesbian rights make her a Staunch activist and a great social activist.
9. Harriet Tubman
A political activist and social reformer who fought for the abolition of slavery. Born in Maryland, the United Kingdom in 1822. She was a victim of slavery from a very early age in her life. She overcame a serious disability and matured into a tough field worker. In 1849 she escaped to Philadelphia. After escaping the chains of slavery, she became an operator of the Underground Railroad, a secret network of people and routes that helped in escaping other slaves. She risked her own life to liberate many enslaved people and thus was also known as “Moses”.
Tubman became the first woman to lead an armed military raid during the Civil war in 1863. She also served as a scout, spy, and nurse. Tubman is one of the most lauded, recognized, and courageous heroes of America. She stood up bravely against unjust slavery. She is recognized around the world for her fight for freedom and human rights.
10. Greta Thunberg
An environmental activist and a climate campaigner who seeks to protect the planet from the climate crisis. Born on January 3, 2003, in Stockholm, Sweden. Well-known after she protested outside the Swedish parliament in 2018, at the age of 15, Greta realized the significance of climate protection at a very young age. She also held a sign “School Strike for Climate”, to pressurize the government to meet carbon emissions targets. She was the founder of “Fridays for Future“. Her campaign made a global impact inspiring thousands of young people across the globe to organize their strikes.
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Many students joined her protest. She is also known for challenging world leaders to take immediate efforts in the field of climate. She was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 and received Amnesty International’s top human rights award. Her outspoken attitude and willingness have helped her become one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people. A promising environmentalist who uses her voice strongly against hollow discussions and talks showcases a true spirit of activism and has already become an example for the youth.
