What do Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and President of Brazil Dilma Rousseff all have in common? According to Forbes, they are all part of the list of most powerful women in the world today.
Around the world there are a significant number of women who are currently established in a wide range of positions in politics, industry, and finance. Yet to this day in patriarchal countries such as India, women only make up 10% of state legislatures.
Little research had been done on how female leaders in communities affect the aspirations of parents and their children. However, the Huffington Post reported on MIT’s recent study on whether or not female leaders have an impact on the citizens.
A group of MIT economists traveled to West Bengal in India and visited 495 villages and surveyed the families to check whether or not an expectation gap was present between male and female children. The results included an unexpected, yet pleasant, surprise; girls who were part of communities with local female leaders had the same level of aspirations as their male peers.
An anonymous sophomore said, “I think that it’s important for females to become established and be independent, whether or not they are supported by their parents.”
On a global scale, these results demonstrate an interesting trend: women are making a huge impact on the world. Female representation in politics and industry is giving inspiration to young females all around the world.
Student Body President Divya Dhulipala said, “The incorporation of women into the power houses of society, including those of our school, is inspiring to all girls. I myself was inspired to make a difference in my school and community by the female students in Leadership before me.”
The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), the research group that conducted the study in West Bengal, believe that as young girls’ aspirations change, the goal of attaining education does as well.
People across the globe are taking this idea into their own hands and generating new ways to create refreshing leadership development programs. These programs will allow females to build self-confidence, personal power, and a strong mind-set that will be the beginning to a successful leadership career.
In Australia, citizens have already started this journey of leadership by forming the Leader’s Institute of South Australia Inc., and developing the High Impact Women in Leadership division.
Sophomore Laura Sawires said, “Since the beginning of days women have started getting a political status. Women are as great leaders as men. Female leaders are very successful in the business and political world and definitely impact girls at Seminole.”
Perhaps if more people worldwide continue to close the gender gap and realize that absolute patriarchal times are over, generations to come will understand that women have the power to inspire and empower.