10 Women Who Defined Gender Equity in 2022
Dylan Mulvaney
Starting March 12th, Dylan Mulvaney used TikTok as a platform to share their journey coming out as a trans-woman, titling the series, “Days of Girlhood.” Dylan quickly gained millions of followers, currently with over nine million followers on the platform. Dylan’s positive messaging and hope came during the wake of an unprecedented number of anti-LGBTQ legislation introduced across 35 states, including Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law (Krishnakumar & Cole, 2022). Dylan is becoming a voice for trans-joy and activism, with prominence for standing up to fellow trans-woman Caitlin Jenner’s anti-trans statements and being invited to meet with President Joe Biden at the White House this year.
Ketanji Brown Jackson
One of the most notable moments from 2022 was Ketanji Brown Jackson being sworn in as the first Black woman appointed as a Supreme Court Justice. At a time when the Supreme Court has become a major political battleground, the confirmation is a victory as Jackson fights in contentious sessions to promote the rights of Americans. Jackson’s confirmation represents a hopeful future, a new role model to the American public, and a bright image of our democracy.
Mahsa Amini
The death of Mahsa Amini sparked the women-led revolution and protests in Iran after she was detained by authorities for reportedly improperly wearing her hijab. Her funeral inspired protests with women tossing off hijabs, cutting their hair, and promoting the message and now viral hashtag: Women, Life, Freedom. In the last few months of the protests, it is estimated that over 300 civilians have died (NPR, 2022). On December 4th, Iranian officials declared that the “morality police” had been disbanded, however, full evidence of this is yet to be proven. The revolution by women in Iran fighting against the Iranian regime under the risk of death is perhaps the essence of bravery and courage. For this, we honor Mahsa Amini and stand in solidarity with the women in Iran as they change the landscape for gender equity across the globe.
Ariana Debose
In February of 2022, DeBose became the first Afro-Latina and Queer actress to win Best Supporting Actress for her role “Anita” in The West Side Story. It was a full circle moment as the first Latina woman to win the award, Rita Moreno, attended the award ceremony. Debose’s activism is embedded throughout her work in the entertainment industry. In her acceptance speech for the award, DeBose said, “To anyone who has ever questioned their identity, I promise you: there is a place for us.”
Amanda Nguyen
Amanda Nguyen is an activist who has fought for the rights of sexual assault survivors. Experiencing sexual assault herself as a freshman at Harvard and seeing the issues of sexual assault support firsthand, she became dedicated to advocating for legislation. She created the Sexual Assault Bill of Rights which passed unanimously in the United States Congress in 2016. From there, she promoted the measure to be implemented at the UN and succeeded. Nguyen is the founder and CEO of RISE, a nonprofit which helps grassroots organizers pass laws on social justice issues.
Mikaela Loach
Rising climate activist, Mikaela Loach is using her voice on social media to advocate for systems-level change to combat humanity’s biggest collective crises. This year, Mikaela will take the British government to court to argue that the tax breaks given to oil and gas companies conflict with the country’s net zero carbon emission goals. At 23 years old, Mikaela is sending a message to us all that collective action is needed and that it will take all of us to combat climate change. To do this, she encourages us to leave our concepts of perfect activism behind and join in all the ways we can.
Nicole Mann
The first Native woman to go to space, Nicole Mann has an extensive leadership background including a Colonel in the Marine Corps and a test pilot. In early October this year, Mann and her crew launched NASA’s SpaceX Mission which will span over six months and has plans for over 200 experiments. Mann is an inspiration for her representation on the frontlines of science and exploration.
Sherrilyn Ifill
A lawyer and social justice activist, Ifill served as President of the NAACP’s Legal Defense Fund from 2013 to 2022. She has been a crucial visionary in the conversations of racial justice for the past decade. Ifill’s focus on civil rights issues centered on the intersectionality of race and gender equity stating that “All of our work affects Black women and girls.” Ifill stepped down from her presidential role this past March after expanding the LDF organization and solidifying its central role in pressing social justice issues including the criminal justice system reform, voting rights, education equity, and more.
Lia Thomas
Lia Thomas has been breaking barriers as a transgender woman athlete winning the Division 1 National Championship in swimming and earning a nomination for the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Women of the Year award. The rise of her success has come despite the record number of anti-trans bills, particularly as many of these bills target trans-inclusion in sports. With 18 states currently banning transgender students from participating in sports, Lia is an important figurehead to promote the inclusion of transgender students in sports.
Serena Williams
Serena Williams announced her retirement from tennis this past year, marking the end of her legacy in the sport as one of the greatest tennis players. Serena, along with her sister Venus Williams, forever changed the nature of the game to the next level of sportsmanship with their remarkable action-level of play in their careers. Serena is known for her powerful serve and aggressive-forward play mentality that made the game itself evolve. Additionally, the longevity of Serena’s career evolved amidst becoming a mother, activist, and prominent feminist figure.
Let’s Reflect
Existing as a woman in 2022 in the United States, and across the globe, we have come head-to-head with a terrifying, sad, and infuriating truth: that governments can (and will) control the behavior and bodily autonomy of women and non-binary individuals. This information is not new, particularly to women of color in the United States who have historically experienced the most severe systemic oppression. Our collective sisterhood was pummeled with fresh knowledge and present voices confirming that women are vulnerable to the whims of political agendas around the world. From the reversal of Roe v. Wade to Iranian women's fight against the morality police; the introduction of anti-trans bills across the nation and the continued violence against women, there is a common threat to our liberation and survival. The remedy is a simple one: the freedom to choose and the agency to act in our own self-interest. Gender equity is about promoting the ability for everyone to exist authentically without the risk of danger – and this is not exclusively women’s work to do.
Achieving gender equity is still a long way away and so as we close out the year, we simultaneously remember our grief and our hope, both individually and collectively. Our hope for a future with gender equity is one that transcends borders. We will continue to stand in solidarity with women across the globe, fighting for liberation that is tied to ours.
Moving into 2023, consider the following reflective questions:
How do you show up with gender privilege? Cisgender privilege?
Our freedoms are fragile. Take active care of them. Practice them.
Imagine what gender equity means. How does gender equity affect your workplace?
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GSSW MSW intern Emma Baker reflects on gender equity in 2022 and the 10 women who defined gender advocacy.