2021 has been a watershed year for women.

And while we’ve been disproportionately affected by the pandemic, these 5 women represent just a handful of the many who have changed the world, for good, this year…

Kamala Harris

In January Harris made history as the first ever woman to serve as Vice-President of the United States. She’s also the first Black and South-Asian-American woman to serve in the role, putting her in the unique position of representing a number of minority communities on a global stage. “In many ways, this moment embodies our character as a nation”, she said in her inauguration speech.

Simone Biles

Named TIME Magazine’s Athlete of the Year, it wasn’t Biles’ performance at the Tokyo Olympics that changed history – it was her decision to withdraw. Prioritising her mental health, Biles chose not to continue the competition despite the pressure of the world upon her. Teammate Sunisa Lee summarised the significance, saying “what Simone did changed the way we view our well-being, 100%. It showed us that we are more than the sport, that we are human beings who also can have days that are hard. It really humanized us.”

Naomi Osaka

In the same vein, the tennis champion accepted a $15000 fine and public vilification after refusing to speak with press at the French Open. Citing the anxiety media obligations caused her, she later withdrew from the competition. It was the start of an important discourse about mental health and media, and she later told The Guardian “The biggest eye-opener was going to the Olympics and having other athletes come up to me and say they were really glad that I did what I did. I’m proud of what I did and I think that it was something that needed to be done.”

Anna Whitehouse

The force behind the Instagram account @mother_pukka and the #FlexAppeal campaign, mother-of-two Anna has been tirelessly campaigning for access to flexible work arrangements for years. This year the conversation has become more urgent than ever, given the ongoing effects of the pandemic. In September it was announced that thanks to the Flex Appeal movement, staff in the UK are set to gain the right to request flexible working from their very first day in the job. It’s an enormous - and much-needed – step forward. Let’s hope there’s much more to come.

Britney Spears

Mental health has been front and centre of many discussions this year, and the #FreeBritney movement has been central in dispelling some of the stigma around it. Bringing awareness to disability rights, the dissolution of Britney’s 14 year conservatorship has opened up a much needed conversation about autonomy, coercive control, and financial abuse. The public interest in Britney’s case, and the overwhelming community support, stands to create some momentum for a broader examination of conservatorship laws in the US.