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March is Women’s History Month. It’s a time to celebrate the accomplishments, struggles, and triumphs of strong and powerful women throughout American history. Organizations across the country will be booking inspiring female speakers who shed light on how women have shaped the past and continue to shape the future.
But to really do your Women’s History Month event justice, you’ve got to nail the speaker selection. From best-selling authors to trailblazing CEOs to Olympic gold-medalists and even aspiring young astronauts, the following female speakers have what it takes to make a lasting impact on your audience.
Fran Hauser
Media Executive, Startup Investor & Best-Selling Author of “The Myth of the Nice Girl”
Fran Hauser is an author, keynote speaker, and startup investor. She’s passionate about helping women build fulfilling careers and successful businesses. Hauser has invested in over 25 female-founded companies across consumer packaged goods (CPG), media & publishing, and wellness.
Fran Hauser embodies the spirit of Women’s History Month, as a shining example of the strides that women have and are making, especially in the start-up world. Investing in female-founded companies has an invaluable impact on the representation of women in the business world.
Amanda Nguyen
2019 Nobel Peace Prize Nominee & CEO and Founder of Rise
Amanda Nguyen is a social entrepreneur, whose viral video in 2021 was credited as a pivotal moment for the Stop Asian Hate movement. She was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 for penning her own civil rights into existence by unanimously passing the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights. As the CEO of Rise, a social movement accelerator, she teaches grassroots organizing.
Gender and racial equality are inextricably linked, and the efforts Nguyen has made to pioneer civil rights for minorities have made her a leader in creating a more equitable future and has led to her being one of our most-requested female speakers. The work behind her Nobel Peace Prize nomination is a tangible example of what Women’s History Month is meant to celebrate.
Gitanjali Rao
Inventor, TIME Magazine’s first ever “Kid of the Year” in 2020, Young Scientist Challenge Winner
To be a nationally recognized, award-winning scientist is quite the feat — especially considering Gitanjali Rao is only 15 years old! In addition to an already impressive resume, Rao was TIME Magazine’s first-ever “Kid of the Year” in 2020 and has claimed the U.S. EPA President’s Environmental Youth Award, and it’s easy to see how she influences and educates her audiences.
Kimberly Bryant
Founder & CEO of Black Girls CODE
Kimberly Bryant is the Founder and CEO of Black Girls CODE, a non-profit organization dedicated to “changing the face of technology” by introducing girls of color to the field of technology and computer science with a concentration on entrepreneurial concepts.
Bryant is nationally recognized as a thought leader for her work to increase opportunities for women in technology. Her influence goes beyond her individual pursuits, inspiring over 10,000 students and growing to leave an even more long-lasting impact on the industry. Her desire to create lasting opportunities for future generations of Black women in STEM makes her an ideal voice for raising awareness around Women’s History Month.
Alyssa Carson
Youngest Ever Astronaut in Training; Space Travel Enthusiast
Alyssa Carson is an astrobiology student with the goal of training as an astronaut and being selected for future human spaceflight to Mars. She has her rocket license, advanced scuba certification, pilot license, skydiving class A license, and is a certified aquanaut — all by the age of 20!.
Inspired from a young age to pursue a career in space travel, Carson is a role model for young women with similar dreams. She was the first to visit all 14 NASA visitor centers in the US and has kept her sights set on being involved in future missions to Mars. Carson’s grit, discipline, and undeniable passion make her an inspiration to women everywhere.
Katie Sowers
Former Assistant Coach for the San Francisco 49ers; NFL’s Second Female Full-Time Coach
Katie Sowers was the second woman to hold a full-time NFL coaching position and the first openly gay coach in the NFL. She started her NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons after spending five years as the athletic director of the City of Kansas City. She then spent six seasons in the NFL and four as an offensive assistant with the 49ers, working primarily with the wide receivers.
Katie Sowers is a role model for women everywhere who were told they couldn’t be a part of something because of their gender. As a vast minority in a male-majority profession, Sowers has had to prove herself time and time again as a valuable asset to the NFL teams. Sowers’ story leaves a legacy for female athletes and women hoping to enter the male-dominated sports industry in the future, making her an ideal speaker for your next Women’s History Month event.
Cathy Yan
Filmmaker & Director of “Birds Of Prey;” First Asian Woman to Direct a U.S. Superhero Film
Cathy Yan is a filmmaker and director known for directing “Birds of Prey,” starring Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, making her the first Asian woman to direct an American superhero film.
With a background in reporting and credits with other films, Yan has become a role model for Asian women in the film industry. Superhero films have deep ties to American culture, and being able to infuse the narrative from a diverse perspective makes films and references more accessible to wider audiences. Her impressive accomplishments in a male-dominated industry speak to her drive and resilience in working towards her goals, a true inspiration for women hoping to pursue entertainment.
Alaa Murabit
UN High-Level Commissioner on Health & Economic Growth; Global Sustainable Development Goal Advocate
Alaa Murabit is a medical doctor, Canadian Meritorious Service Cross recipient, one of 17 Global Sustainable Development Goal Advocates appointed by the UN Secretary-General, and a UN High-Level Commissioner on Health Employment & Economic Growth.
Like many of our female speakers, Murabit has made countless efforts and enacted actionable changes in her advocacy for health policy and critical global health issues. Her leadership in global policy and in elevating the role of women, particularly young, minority women, on global platforms was recognized by Harvard Law, who named her the youngest 2017 Woman Inspiring Change. She has addressed the UN General Assembly many times, often with the specific goal of furthering women’s rights and access to healthcare. Her stories and background can provide valuable insight into the global fight for equality and access for women, putting a spotlight on women’s history in a global setting.
Danielle Feinberg
Director of Photography at Pixar Animation Studios; STEM Advocate & Supporter of Girls Who Code
Danielle Feinberg is a Visual Effects Supervisor at Pixar Animation Studios. Feinberg’s first position was on the movie “A Bug’s Life” as a render wrangler, an entry-level, problem-solving position, and she soon was leading the otherwise all-male department. She went on to light many of Pixar’s films, including “Toy Story 2,” “Monsters, Inc.,” the Oscar-winning “Finding Nemo” and “The Incredibles.” Another Oscar winner, “Wall•E,” was Feinberg’s first movie directing the lighting in her role as Director of Photography for Lighting.
Feinberg uses her unique experience and voice to encourage girls of all ages to pursue coding, math, and science by demonstrating to them the magic found in combining art and technology to create movies. With experience working in a male-dominated industry, her efforts in climbing the ladder in entertainment offer inspiration for women seeking a career in the technical side of entertainment.
Linda Sarsour
Award-Winning Racial Justice & Civil Rights Activist & Community Organizer
In addition to being one of our highlighted female speakers, Linda Sarsour is an author, award-winning racial justice and civil rights activist, seasoned community organizer, and mother of three. Ambitious, outspoken, and independent, Sarsour shatters stereotypes of Muslim women while also treasuring her religious and ethnic heritage.
She has been at the forefront of major civil rights campaigns calling for Muslim rights and activism in reforming the criminal justice system. She has led and been involved with a number of organizations, fundraisers, and calls for policy change that has left a lasting impact on the lives of Muslims in the United States. She offers a unique perspective on Women’s History Month as a Muslim and women’s rights activist and is able to shine a light on aspects of history that might not always be touched on in mainstream education.
When you book one of the female speakers we’ve highlighted above, you’re not just getting someone who can speak to the historical accomplishments of women throughout our nation’s history. You’re giving your audience a unique chance to hear from the women who are shaping our future. As you look ahead to Women’s History Month events, AAE is here to make your event planning process quick and easy. Contact us to get started.