Without a doubt, women are the pulse of culture and society. Through years of trials and tribulations, women have successfully garnered their rights, some equalities and the ability to decide who is who and what is what for years.
As March is Women’s History Month and March 8 has been designated as International Women’s Day, the world joined in on the love and acknowledgment of women who have changed the world, shifted culture and gave birth, both literally and figuratively, to the greatest conceptions of all time.
Here are a few trailblazers making noise and putting on for women, every day and every hour.
Courtesy.
[_DANA BOULOS_](https://www.instagram.com/danaboulos/) _- DIRECTOR, PHOTOGRAPHER & DJ_
**What does it mean to be a woman in 2020?**
I truly think the woman of 2020 is unstoppable. We finally have accepted our confidence and have the power to stand up for our rights as well as what we believe in.
**Who are some female figures that have helped shape you today?**
My mother is the strongest woman I know, she taught me how to work hard and never give up.
**Collaboration over competition - what's your take on it?**
I'm all for collaboration as well as helping each other out. I think people find it shocking how I try to help others with their goals.
It shouldn't be shocking to be a good person or to help someone out. At the end of the day, what's the point of all this if we cant help another person?
**What advice would you give to anyone looking to launch a business, new career, life path?**
It's a pretty simple formula - write down what you want to accomplish, then stop at nothing to make them happen.
Courtesy of **Freedom Models**
[_COURTNEY COLL_](https://www.instagram.com/courtney_coll/) _- MODEL, FOUNDER OF POTIONS N MOTIONS_
**What does it mean to be a woman in 2020?**
Dedication to speak your mind and say what you think. I feel really empowered in my life by my ability to handle rejection in a way that has allowed me to be free. I understand rejection is a hard feeling to deal with, but it’s important to realize opportunity comes when you least expect it. Keep your focus and stay driven.
**Who are some female figures that have helped shape you today?**
My MOM, Patti Smith, Aretha Franklin, Assata Shakur, Greta Thunberg!! There are so many women in my life that have made me who I am today, all women inspire me to keep pushing.
**Collaboration over competition - what's your take on it?**
Collaboration!!! All for it, this is where my business is headed. I love creating new things with people and picking up on new ideas. Collaboration between two people is so beautiful, watching two creative worlds collide to make a product.
**What advice would you give to anyone looking to launch a business, new career, life path..?**
Go for it, figure out what you want to do even if it starts as a hobby or interest in your life. That happened to me and it opened a new door into a world of herbalism and seeing a connection between plants that inspired me to make it into my career. Don’t give up and sit around thinking about it, TRY IT!!
Courtesy.
[_SYDNEY CARLSON_](https://www.instagram.com/sydneylcarlson/) _- CO-FOUNDER OF WILDFLOWER CASES_
**What does it mean to be a woman in 2020?**
I’m so grateful to be at the age I’m at and be a woman in 2020. I feel like now more than ever there is so much opportunity for women to create something and be their own bosses. It’s truly so exciting to see and be apart of.
**Who are some female figures that have helped shape you today?**
The first female figure that comes to mind for me is definitely my mom! She’s the reason my family has this business and is able to do what we do, because of her! She has taught me so much not just in business, but in life in general. She's my best friend.
**Collaboration over competition - what's your take on it?**
I am always all for collaboration. Being supportive of other small businesses and people working hard like you is so motivating to be around. Collaboration also gives huge opportunities to create something you may never have done on your own. I’m all for it.
**What advice would you give to anyone looking to launch a business, new career, life path..?**
It is a huge step to create a new path for yourself. Whether it’s business, or in life, taking the chance of opening up something new for yourself can be very scary! I always encourage people to take risks. Sometimes the most rewarding things happen when you take chances!
Courtesy.
[_TORIN ASHTUN_](https://www.instagram.com/torinashtun/) _\- MODEL AND PAINTER_
**What does it mean to be a woman in 2020?**
To be a woman in 2020 is to be unapologetic. There’s plenty of women and men who will tell you the definition of a woman but the truth is as a woman you set the standard of a woman for yourself and yourself only.
**_Who_ are some female figures that have helped shape you today?**
My mother helped shape me the most. She is a natural-born creative who can literally make anything with her own two hands. To this day, I have never seen another woman so driven and focused on their craft.
**Collaboration over competition - what's your take on it?**
Competition is inevitable even when collaborating because the desire to have complete control is strong in most creatives. With that being said, I do find collaborating to be vital to one's creative growth. It is important to master working alongside someone and knowing how to take direction before you can properly succeed in your own lonesome endeavors.
**What advice would you give to anyone looking to launch a business, new career, life path..?**
Don’t think twice. You must understand that this is a new path so the challenges you will face are going to be unusual to you and it is important to not run away. Run to the adversity and run to the confusion but most importantly give yourself time to grow.
[_ERIN ELIOPULOS_](https://www.instagram.com/erineliopulos/) _- MODEL AND FOUNDER OF DIVERSITY 101_
**What does it mean to be a woman in 2020?**
I think it means strength and not backing down from what we want or deserve. Also being unapologetically you!
**Who are some female figures that have helped shape you today?**
My mother and 2 older sisters! They are amazing role models and as the youngest they’ve always taught me to stand up for myself, don’t take sh\*t from anybody, and what’s right for me will always find its way in the end.
**Collaboration over competition - what's your take on it?**
Love it!! Collaboration will take us so much further. There’s so much negative competition going on these days! I think there’s too many people that want to be the only ones winning. We need to focus more on everybody winning! Put your friends and family on people!
**What advice would you give to anyone looking to launch a business, new career, life path..?**
If you have something you love and are passionate about, don’t give up! It’s never too late to start over, and everybody is on their own path in life...so don’t compare yourself to others! You’re exactly where you need to be.
Courtesy.
[_TRINA RICHIE HINES_](https://www.instagram.com/t.richiehines/) _\- MODEL AND ARTIST_
**What does it mean to be a woman in 2020?**
Women have done a lot of work over the last decade, paving a road for aspiring female artists like myself, so I am entering 2020 feeling unafraid & supported. We have dismantled the idea that “it is a man’s world”. In fact, associating one’s gender with their status or profession is a generationally obsolete concept as our societal understanding of gender expands beyond traditional binary approach. We are evolving to look past our physical traits and instead, see into the values & practices we engage in as individuals. It’s less about what you were born with, and more about, what do you represent? What are you doing? Honestly, I used to mentally rehearse prior to business meetings by saying “Hines, walk into this and be like one of the boys”; I didn’t want to be isolated and scrutinized right off the bat by identifying as a woman. But now, in 2020, I see being a woman as an immense strength. Now I mentally rehearse for my business pitches by saying, “Approach this like the powerful, passionate, inspired woman that you are.” It’s about values now! What are you about, and are you keeping it real with yourself and those you conduct business with? So in 2020, as a woman, I do what I want, so young girls know they can do what they want. I want to set this example not only for girls but for everyone, regardless of how they identify. You are beyond your body; do not dwell on its limitations. Focus on strengthening your mind, consistently provide fuel to your dreams & go get what you want!
**Who are some female figures that have helped shape you today?**
I am proud to say an extremely driven jazz musician made & raised me -- my mother Pamela Hines has been my lifelong example of disciplined practice & unwavering work ethic. She never discouraged me in pursuing art, and her support, alongside my father’s, has allowed me to blossom into this career without doubt. As an illustrator, I gather inspiration from many different mediums. Yet these female artists all share a key value: unapologetic expression. Illustrator Apollonia Saintclair not only practices brilliant technical skill in ink drawing, but she draws for her own pleasure and explores sexuality through the complex & fantastic “female gaze”. I discovered singer Lana Del Rey in my teenage years and I was incredibly inspired by how her lyrics sought self-empowerment beyond tales of tragedy, and also tapped into taboo fantasies in cinematic, uncensored depth. Graphic artist Pilar Zeta engages in many art forms, yet her aesthetic remains consistent & recognizable because her palette is uniquely charged by her metaphysical beliefs. Her perspective colors everything she creates and it encourages a vibrant, mystical life! All these artists have taught me to embrace what excites me, and engage with it fearlessly. They bring the Ethereal down to Earth!
**Collaboration over competition - what's your take on it?**
I believe the energy of collaboration exceeds the energy of competition. Competition can be healthy and motivating, and sometimes necessary, but it is certainly not an energy to invest in often! I really believe most individuals who gain success have a loyal team behind them, collaborating on ideas, even if that team remains unseen. Collaboration allows you to engage with your art through another's' perspective, and also learn new takes & tricks. You gain feedback that enriches your process and influences future works. I like to focus less on the give-and-take, but rather, focus on sharing ideas and building an even greater product.
**What advice would you give to anyone looking to launch a business, new career, life path..?**
There is a lot of shadow work in attaining a dream that is not glamorous, that people don’t see. Reciting affirmations obsessively to convince myself I am capable of attaining my goals, declining social gatherings to spend nights alone watching Adobe tutorials on Youtube, redrawing a nose six times until finally getting it right on a commissioned portrait ... but this is the work that really counts. And it leads to spectacular moments eventually. But you should not focus exclusively on the outcome or the results of the work. If you do not enjoy the process, it will be hard to last. This is why it is so important to love what you are doing; I do not count the hours I spend drawing. I do it, not only because I must, but because I love to draw. Ultimately, even when your dream seems so out of reach… remember that the more little steps you take towards your goals, the more you demonstrate absolute faith in yourself. The more faith you showcase to yourself, the more worthy you feel of this dream. And you will see more opportunities in everyday life when you truly believe you deserve these opportunities. So dream, hard, even if it seems silly or ridiculous. If your dream is all-consuming, it is the centerpiece of every room you enter. Everything else placed in each room will shape itself around that piece. You will know what to look for, as you work to design your life and your connections around this dream. It is worth every step. Believe in yourself.
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