Portraits of Power: Women Around the World Fighting for Justice and Freedom
On International Women's Day, meet five extraordinary women whose courage, resilience, and determination are quietly reshaping the world around them.
Celebrating International Women's Day: Stories of Strength and Courage
Every year on March 8, the world pauses to honor women whose strength and determination continue to shape history. International Women's Day carries a powerful origin story — one rooted in protest, sacrifice, and the relentless pursuit of justice.
The Historical Roots of March 8
The date itself traces back to a remarkable act of defiance during World War I. Russian women took to the streets, demanding bread and peace. Their four-day strike sent shockwaves through the political establishment — the Czar stepped down, and women won the right to vote. That strike began on February 23, 1917, under the Julian calendar, which corresponds to March 8 on the Gregorian calendar widely used today. That is why March 8 became the globally recognized date for this celebration.
This year, the United Nations has centered its International Women's Day theme around a powerful call: "Rights. Justice. Action. For all women and girls."
To honor this spirit, photographers from The Everyday Projects — a global photography and storytelling network — have shared striking portraits of women whose contributions, both large and small, are quietly transforming the world.
Jean, 72 — Keeper of a Living Art Form, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
In the heart of Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown, a 72-year-old Chinese opera performer named Jean prepares backstage at Kwai Chai Hong, a beautifully restored heritage alley. Photographed by Kuala Lumpur-based photographer Annice Lyn just minutes before taking the stage, Jean embodies decades of discipline, dedication, and cultural devotion.
Chinese opera is a demanding art form that weaves together singing, acting, martial arts, intricate costumes, and elaborate symbolic makeup to bring ancient stories from Chinese folklore, history, and literature to life. Performers like Jean often spend their entire lives mastering its nuances.
"Performers like Jean dedicate decades to preserving techniques and stories that are centuries old," says Lyn. Despite occasionally facing dismissive reactions or indifference from others, Jean continues to perform with unwavering commitment.
"Sustaining a centuries-old practice in a modern urban setting requires both resilience and passion," Lyn explains. "I wanted to give Jean the dignity she deserves — a strong, intimate image that acknowledges her beauty, her discipline, and the life she has dedicated to Chinese opera. I hoped to make her feel seen and heard, capturing not just a performance but a living cultural legacy."
Nkgono Selina Mosima — Dignity in the Face of Hardship, South Africa
In Thaba Nchu, a poverty-stricken region in South Africa's Free State, Nkgono Selina Mosima faced a reality that millions of women around the world know all too well — the absence of basic sanitation.
For years, Mosima hoped to afford the cost of having a pit toilet dug in her yard. Without it, she — like many of her neighbors — was left with no choice but to practice open defecation, a situation fraught with personal safety risks and serious public health consequences.
Johannesburg-based photographer and writer Tshepiso Mabula captured Mosima's portrait in 2020, drawn to her extraordinary optimism in the face of adversity.
"I was drawn to Nkgono by her unrelenting faith and positive outlook. Despite her difficult circumstances, she constantly reiterated her hope that things would improve," says Mabula. The portrait's vibrant colors, Mosima's headscarf, and the belt around her waist were all deliberate choices to reflect her inner strength and resilience.
In a hopeful turn, Mosima eventually managed to save enough money to have that pit toilet installed. Her story, however, remains a powerful reminder that countless women across the globe still lack access to safe sanitation today.
The Mighty Girls — Breaking Boundaries on the Football Field, Russia
Imagine launching a women's American football league — not soccer, but full-contact American football — in Russia. That is exactly what photographer Kristina Brazhnikova documented in her compelling project, Mighty Girls, captured between 2018 and 2021.
Open to any Russian woman regardless of age, body type, or fitness level, the league welcomed enthusiastic participants from across the country. Coaches from the U.S. women's national football team even lent their expertise to help the players develop their skills.
One featured photograph shows three players — Gabi, Katya, and Olesia — from the Voronezh team, nicknamed the "Mighty Ducks," relaxing in a locker room during a training camp.
The league ran largely on enthusiasm and personal investment. Players studied playbooks independently, purchased their own protective gear, paid for field rentals, and funded their own travel to competitions in other cities. The physical and mental demands of the sport meant that many women stepped away after their first practice.
"Those who stayed, however, found a new family," says Brazhnikova. The women reported that playing American football made them braver, more decisive, and more willing to step outside their comfort zones. Many went on to make bold life changes — switching careers and ending relationships that no longer served them. As Brazhnikova puts it, the sound of pads colliding on the field became their favorite sound.
Hilaria Arzaba Medran — Searching for the Missing, Mexico
For Hilaria Arzaba Medran, 57, the fight for justice is deeply personal. Her son, Oscar Contreras Arzaba, vanished on May 22, 2011, at just 19 years of age. Since then, Hilaria has refused to stop searching.
A resident of Veracruz, Mexico, she is a member of Solecito, a collective of approximately 250 individuals — predominantly women — who regularly comb through fields and remote locations in search of their missing loved ones. The group often acts on anonymous tips, venturing into isolated and potentially dangerous territory without security personnel.
Photographer James Rodríguez captured Hilaria on February 20, 2018, tools in hand, as she searched a known clandestine burial site on the outskirts of Córdoba following an anonymous tip.
"I was awe-struck by their determination to find their loved ones despite horrific violence and real threats to their own well-being," says Rodríguez. "I was truly astounded by their conviction and courage."
Hilaria's story is one of unimaginable grief met with extraordinary courage — a mother who refuses to let the world forget her son.
Janaina Xavier — A Voice for the Homeless, São Paulo, Brazil
In one of São Paulo's most stigmatized neighborhoods, Janaina Xavier is a beacon of advocacy and community leadership. Photographed on April 23, 2024, while cradling her son near the city's notorious Cracolândia district, Janaina is a mother of ten who has turned personal hardship into powerful activism.
She currently serves as a council member for the Coordination of Policies for the Homeless Population and tirelessly advocates for the rights of those living in and around Cracolândia — a region long associated with poverty, drug use, and social exclusion.
"I've known Janaina for many years, since I began documenting Cracolândia," says photographer Luca Meola. "She has long been involved in struggles for housing rights for people living in this highly stigmatized region of the city."
Janaina's quiet strength, captured in a single image — a mother holding her child while gazing out of a window in an occupied building — speaks volumes about the intersection of motherhood, resilience, and the ongoing fight for human dignity.
The Everyday Power of Women
From the stage to the streets, from football fields to clandestine burial grounds, these women remind us that courage does not always look the same. Sometimes it wears elaborate opera makeup. Sometimes it carries a shovel. Sometimes it simply holds a child and refuses to give up.
On International Women's Day and every day beyond it, their stories deserve to be seen, heard, and remembered.
