Celebrating the Creative Minds Behind Women's History & Our Collective Future

This Women's History month we've been reflecting on the connections between creativity, Women's History, and the United Nations ' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The quest to improve women's well-being and rights has long been intertwined with sustainable development efforts, including the SDGs that we emphasize here at NuWave--human rights, climate change, education, and conscious consumption.

Research shows that around the world, women still lack equal representation in government and education, have fewer economic and reproductive rights, and are more likely to be negatively impacted by climate change. That said, women's rights have been strengthened in many places over the years, thanks to tireless activism from committed individuals and organizations. Creative work, such as graphic design, copy writing, and UX design, has played a key role in these efforts and it has the power to continue to do so as we shape our collective future.

Creativity, Activism, and Women's History

In the late 20th century, one particularly notable creative effort helped cultivate public awareness and acceptance of the idea that, “Women’s Rights are Human Rights.” This phrase was made famous by Hillary Rodham Clinton in the 1990s, but was actually coined much earlier by activists in the International Feminist movement. Gabriela, a Filipino political party, formally introduced the phrase in 1988 during one of their campaigns against dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

Since then, the memorable saying has populated posters and picket signs around the world. It became a rallying cry for feminists who, successfully, lobbied the UN to expand definitions of human rights violations to include issues more frequently associated with female victims, like sexual assault and trafficking.

These historic wins for women were, of course, achieved thanks to persistent lobbying and smart, focused policy asks--the advocacy work from organizations like the ACLU , Amnesty International , and UN Women come to mind. But they were also possible thanks to complementary creative work. Anyone in advertising knows, words matter. A well-crafted phrase can capture imaginations and catalyze action. Design matters. An evocative image can awaken a sense of possibility.

Building Our Collective Future

In 2023, Fairfield University curated an inspiring exhibit of seventy-nine feminist posters. The pieces spanned approximately three decades of women's history-making. The powerful works on display advocated for women's well-being on a multitude of issues-- from climate change to domestic violence. Some were produced independently and others were made to support campaigns by organizations like the UN and Amnesty International. In both cases, the posters offer a glimpse into how creativity has shaped, and can shape, women's history.

Creative talent can craft vital advocacy collateral, educational aids, funding campaigns, and program/service designs. And today, many impactful organizations and leaders recognize that. The push to protect and expand women's rights is still alive and well.

Just this week, after years of French feminist advocacy, France became the first country in the world to protect the right to abortion in its constitution. This decision has been framed as a sign of solidarity for women in other countries, including the US, who are losing their reproductive rights. "[L]awmaker Mathilde Panot, who had introduced the bill in the National Assembly, [noted], 'This vote today tells them: Your struggle is ours; this victory is yours.'" Even as struggles arise, change makers are fighting for our collective future.

The UN also recently flexed their visionary muscles with the "Act Now" SDGs campaign and app. The campaign engages readers with colorful educational materials and then encourages them to use the UN app to make and track personal SDG commitments. According to their website, over 19 million actions have been taken. Creative talent helped make this idea come to life by creating a system that educated people and gave them a way to make their new knowledge actionable.

As we tackle the tough challenges of today, Women's History Month gives us a chance to remember how time and again, creative, motivated people have proved that a brighter future is possible. It may take a while to go mainstream (as was the case with the Women's Rights Are Human Rights campaign) but change can start with our hopeful pens and keyboards.