Honoring Power & Legacy: July 25 and the First-Ever International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent
- Siona Sakah
- Jul 25
- 5 min read
July 25, 2025, marks a historic moment — the first-ever International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent, officially recognized by the United Nations. It’s a global celebration of the strength, resilience, creativity, and brilliance of Black women and girls across continents and cultures.
This day isn’t just about recognition — it’s about amplification. It’s about giving flowers to those who have long deserved them and reminding the world that women and girls of African descent have been shaping history, culture, science, and justice since the beginning.
Why This Day Matters
Across centuries and across borders, Black women have been leaders, inventors, warriors, artists, and change-makers — often without the visibility or credit they deserve. Today is about shifting that narrative. It’s a chance to say: We see you. We honor you. We uplift you.
Celebrating Legacy: Iconic Women of African Descent
Let’s take a moment to spotlight just a few of the incredible women whose legacies continue to move the world forward. They didn’t just build businesses. They created impact. From life-changing inventions to global brands, women of African descent are innovators, and builders. Today, on the inaugural International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent, we celebrate visionary founders who built more than businesses — they sparked powerful movements.
Which of these women inspires you most?
Mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone, an urban visionary, Aki-Sawyerr is reimagining city leadership through climate resilience, community development, and youth engagement. Her “Transform Freetown” initiative is a bold blueprint for inclusive urban change, improving waste management, housing, urban planning, and job creation for youth and women. Under her watch, Freetown is becoming a model African city of innovation, resilience, and green leadership. She’s recognized globally, including by the BBC and TIME, as one of the world’s most inspiring mayors.
President of Namibia. A liberation heroine and veteran diplomat, she is a symbol of leadership grounded in justice, equity, and grace. A veteran diplomat, activist, and longtime politician, Netumbo made history in March 2025 by becoming Namibia’s first-ever female president, She’s not only breaking long-standing political gender barriers but also bringing decades of experience in diplomacy, liberation, and governance to the highest office. Her leadership represents progress, possibility, and pride for African women in politics.
Kenyan environmentalist and Nobel Peace Prize winner. She founded the Green Belt Movement, empowering women to plant trees and defend their land and rights.
Legacy: Climate activist, human rights leader, and Earth warrior.
The youngest poet to perform at a U.S. presidential inauguration, her poem The Hill We Climb captured global hearts. She uses her voice to uplift and empower.
Legacy: A literary light, speaking truth to power with elegance and grace.
A trailblazing Nigerian economist and the first African and first woman to head the World Trade Organization. She’s worked for decades to reshape global finance.
Legacy: A master of economics, breaking barriers and building equity.
Musician, Actress & Activist, a powerful voice in African art and activism, Diawara blends traditional Malian music with modern soul, using her platform to challenge gender-based violence and celebrate Black identity.
Rihanna (Riri)
Singer, mogul, and philanthropist. Through Fenty Beauty and Savage X Fenty, she redefined beauty standards while supporting education, health, and relief efforts globally.Legacy: Iconic. Inclusive. Unapologetically powerful.
The Beninese music icon, activist, and global cultural ambassador made history in 2025 as the first African woman to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. With a voice that crosses continents and lyrics that challenge systems, she’s more than a performer — she’s a force for global unity and African pride. Kidjo has long used her platform to amplify African stories, women’s rights, and education initiatives.
Legacy: A Grammy-winning powerhouse whose voice carries the soul of Africa — now etched into Hollywood history. In 2023, she earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, solidifying her global impact.
Entrepreneurs & Innovators Creating Impact
These women aren’t just building businesses — they’re building futures. Their inventions and ideas are solving real-world problems while creating jobs, dignity, and value across Africa and beyond.
Founder of LifeBank. Uses technology and real-time data to deliver blood and oxygen to hospitals across Nigeria. LifeBank is improving emergency care and saving lives every day.
Co-founder of Nandimobile. Built an SMS-based customer service platform that allows businesses to reach clients without internet access connecting underserved communities through simple, powerful tech.
Founder of House of Tara. One of the pioneers of Nigeria’s beauty industry, she founded the first makeup school in West Africa and built a network of thousands of beauty entrepreneurs.
Co-founders of ’57 Chocolate. Turning Ghana’s cocoa into handcrafted artisanal chocolate, these sisters are keeping value on the continent while redefining African luxury.
Founder of Alara. A cultural curator and fashion visionary, Reni created Alara — a concept space celebrating African design, art, fashion, and creativity on the global stage.
Founder of Eco Shoes. Uses recycled materials like old tyres to create eco-friendly footwear, while employing people with disabilities — blending sustainability with social inclusion.
Celebrating Through Culture: Books, Films & Inventions
Today’s a perfect time to engage with the stories and creations of women of African descent. Here are just a few cultural gems worth exploring:
Films
The Woman King (2022) – A historical epic led by Viola Davis
Hidden Figures (2016) – Celebrating Black women in STEM
Queen of Katwe (2016) – The inspiring true story of a Ugandan chess prodigy
Books
A multi-generational story tracing African and African American identity, The story spans centuries, tracing the descendants of both women and exploring the legacy of slavery and its impact on identity.
A powerful exploration of race, migration, and love, a novel that explores race, identity, and belonging through a unique immigrant experience perspective.
A West African-inspired fantasy that champions resistance and legacy, this is an Afro-futuristic epic that reimagines magic, monarchy, & societal issues.
Final Thoughts: More Than a Day
This is more than a holiday—it’s a global acknowledgment that women and girls of African descent are central to humanity’s story. It’s a moment to reflect, celebrate, and commit to building a future where their dreams are funded, their voices are heard, and their power is never in question.
Today—and every day—we honor their legacies. We support their futures.
Happy International Day of Women and Girls of African Descent.
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