This gallery includes portraits of inspiring women leaders I met while volunteering to help SayItForward.org at recent international conferences. SayItForward.org is an amazing web platform for women and girls to share their personal stories of self-empowerment. The love and grace that the women in these photos bring to the world every day, seeking solutions to some of our most difficult challenges, is truly inspiring and gives me hope for the future of humanity — something we can all use right now.

Oumie Sissokho / The Gambia

Mitra Kadarsih / Indonesia

Francisca Mandeya / Canada

Maxine Hardinge / Australia

Esenam Nyador / Ghana

Janne Iversen / Norway

Ruth Kilimo / Kenya

Sumaira Yousaf / Pakistan

Jama Jack / The Gambia

Joanne Rama / Aotearoa NZ

Andrea Jordon / Barbados & U.K.

Aleksandra Kuljanin / Bosnia and Herzegovina

Priyanka Idicula / India

Binat Sasson / Israel

Shirley Curtis / The Bahamas

Jigme Choden / Bhutan

Zinabua Girmay / Ethiopia

Dagmar Ruppert / Switzerland

Clara Methie / Zimbabwe

Yodit Kifle Smith / U.S.

Sharon D'Agostino / U.S.

Whitney Dowers / Canada

Elisa Gambino / U.S.

Senait Isaac / Canada

Mushairat Mamun / U.S.

Victoria Melhado Daley / Jamaica

Bhavya Nandini / India

Angel Kharya / India

Olaoluwa Abagun / Nigeria

Andrea Vazquez / Canada

Maureen Kanayo / Nigeria & U.S.

Franka Cadée / Netherlands

Peace Osamede Smith / Germany

Sara Forrest Jaimes / Mexico & U.S.

Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi / Nigeria

Maren Dietze / France & Canada

Delphine Silvermoon / U.S.

Tandin Pemo / Bhutan

Rebecca Smiddy / U.S.

Esther Mast / U.S.

Mildred John / Nigeria


Toni Gwynn-Jones / Australia

Debbie Hudson / Australia

Gabrielle Filiou-Chenier / Canada

Michiko Kashiba / Japan

Ekaete Asuquo / Nigeria

Gigja Sveinsdottir / Iceland

Valin Azooz / Iraq

Inma Esteban García / Spain

Shahnaz Shahid / Pakistan

Judy Ducatel / The Bahamas

Kinga Pemo / Bhutan

Laura Latina / Italy

Meseret Haileyesus / Canada

Linda Shewey / U.S.

Marissa Isabedra / Philippines

Mindy Ebrahimoff / Israel

Barbara Kirkland / U.S.

Deliwe Nyathikazi / South Africa

Heather Struckett / Canada

Noelia Greizerstein / Canada
