“I am Anna May Wong. I come from old Hong Kong. But now I make pictures in Hollywood”

Actress Anna May Wong was the first Chinese-American movie star. At a time when most Asian characters were played by white actors in yellowface, she challenged racial stereotypes and demonstrated the talent and potential of Asian actors, paving the way for future generations keen to pursue acting careers. She was recognised for her turns in movies including The Toll of the Sea (1922) and Daughter of Shanghai (1937), and celebrated for playing roles that often depicted complex and empowered Asian women who weren’t often portrayed that way at the time. Her talent and resilience remain an inspiration to Asians in the entertainment industry today. 

Read more: Gemma Chan Will Play Hollywood Icon Anna May Wong in a New Biopic

“Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.” 

It was while living in a Catholic orphanage that Gabrielle Chanel learned to sew. Living with nuns, much of the fabric was limited to black and white, which would become something of a trademark. Chanel went on to become a seamstress by day, and a singer in a local cabaret cafe by night. It was here that she came to be known as Coco. She dreamed of having her own shop, which came to be when a wealthy friend lent her some money. She grew her prestige by word of mouth and went on to become one of the world’s most influential fashion designers, known for the classic “little black dress”. Not only is Chanel an inspiration for her rags-to-riches success story, but for revolutionising the way women both dressed and thought as she challenged social norms and encouraged self-expression. 

Read more: The True Story of Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel: The Childhood That She Never Wanted You to Know

“I don’t fear change. I welcome it. For change is growth. And growth is the essence of life.”

Hedy Lamarr straddled two worlds as both an actress and an inventor. While she may have been best-known as a Hollywood star, she also made significant contributions in tech and science, working on a technology that would lay the foundation for the wireless communication systems we have today. Her achievements in inventing were sadly under-appreciated at the time in favour of her roles on screen as part of Hollywood’s Golden Age, but have been recognised subsequently. Lamarr challenged stereotypes, demonstrating that women can excel in diverse fields, and she serves as an inspiration for women to pursue their passions in whatever industry they lie. 

Read more: Opinion: Adversity has prepared me to find success as a woman in tech

“Women belong in all places where decisions are made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.”

When Ruth Bader Ginsburg was growing up, women weren’t lawyers. But that was what she wanted to be. After attending Harvard Law School and Columbia Law School, she went on to become the second female Supreme Court Justice in US history. Passionate about women’s rights, she argued six landmark cases on gender equality. A brilliant legal mind, Justice Ginsburg ensured she stayed physically fit too, regularly doing planks and push-ups as part of her twice-weekly strength training routine well into her 80s, and was also something of a style icon through her choice of collars which often also exuded symbolism depending on the occasion. 

Read more: Law Veteran Sharon Ser on Why a Law Career Works Well for Women, but Shouldn’t Come First

“Ladies… never let anyone tell you that you are past your prime.” 

From Hong Kong action movies to Hollywood blockbusters, Michelle Yeoh’s career in the entertainment industry has spanned four decades, recently culminating in her taking home a Golden Globe Award, Screen Actor’s Guild Award and an Oscar for her role in the 2022 movie Everything Everywhere All at Once. Yeoh has consistently shown what women are capable of, from persistently performing her own stunts to being recognised by the most prestigious awards bodies in entertainment at an age when most women are sidelined, and has also paved a path for aspiring Asian talent in the film industry. A vocal advocate for gender equality who is actively involved in philanthropic initiatives supporting education and women's rights, in 2022 she was awarded the inaugural Share Her Journey Groundbreaker Award from the Toronto International Film festival in recognition of her positive impact for women throughout her career. 

Read more: How Michelle Yeoh became an Oscar winner

“We realise the importance of our voices only when they are silenced”

From a young age, Malala Yousafzai has been a passionate advocate for the education of women and children. Growing up in Pakistan’s Swat Valley at a time when the Taliban would ban girls from attending school, she started speaking out publicly and was subsequently targeted for her activism. In 2012, an assassination attempt was made on Yousafzai when she was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman. Far from silencing the young Pakistani, she became a louder advocate for the right to education and the following year founded her Malala Fund, which works to ensure girls have access to 12 years of safe, free, quality education. In 2014, she became the youngest-ever Nobel laureate when she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her fight for the right of every child to receive an education. She places particular focus on the importance of education for girls and has inspired many to challenge societal barriers and pursue education. 

Read more: Malala And The Women Who Inspire Anne Wang-Liu

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