Women of Colour Continue Long Struggle for Equality

By Anthony Joseph

International Women’s Day is often marked with flowers, speeches, and well-meaning celebrations. But beyond the symbolism lies a deeper truth: the rights and opportunities that many women enjoy today are remarkably recent. In the long arc of history, women have only just begun to enter spaces that were once closed to them. And for women of colour, that journey has been even longer and more difficult.

Women gained the right to vote in many Western countries only in the early twentieth century. Access to universities, professional careers, and leadership roles followed slowly behind. For centuries before that, society’s political, economic, and cultural power was largely controlled by men. More specifically, it was controlled by white men, whose dominance shaped the institutions that governed everyday life.

Women of colour faced a double barrier: gender and race. Their talents and ambitions were often dismissed outright. The roles available to them were restricted, and popular culture reinforced narrow stereotypes that denied their intelligence, leadership, and creativity. Their labour was welcomed, but their voices were rarely heard.

Yet history did not remain frozen in that unequal moment. Through resilience, activism, and education, women of colour began to break through barriers that once seemed immovable. Their achievements not only transformed their own lives but reshaped entire societies.

One of the earliest pioneers in modern politics was Shirley Chisholm, who became the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress.That was back in 1968. Chisholm refused to accept the limitations placed on her by race or gender. Her declaration that she was “unbought and unbossed” captured the spirit of independence that would inspire generations of women to pursue public leadership. Her 1972 campaign for the presidency was groundbreaking, demonstrating that political power should not be confined to a narrow group.

In literature and intellectual life, Toni Morrison changed the global conversation about identity and history. Morrison’s novels illuminated the experiences of marginalized communities with extraordinary depth and beauty. When she became the first Black woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993, it signalled that the voices of women of colour were not merely important.They  they were essential to understanding the human story.

The world of science has also been reshaped by women of colour. Dr. Mae Jemison, an engineer and physician, became the first Black woman to travel into space when she flew aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992. Her achievement shattered stereotypes and demonstrated that the boundaries once imposed on women were artificial. For young girls around the world, Jemison’s journey into space represented the limitless potential of education and determination.

Political leadership continues to evolve in the twenty-first century. Kamala Harris, the first woman and the first person of African and South Asian descent to serve as Vice President of the United States, represents a powerful milestone. Her rise to national leadership reflects decades of struggle by women who demanded that democratic institutions reflect the diversity of the populations they serve.

Canada has also seen the influence of women of colour in positions of national leadership. Michaëlle Jean, who served as Canada’s Governor General from 2005 to 2010, embodied the

country’s evolving multicultural identity. Born in Haiti and raised in Canada, her tenure demonstrated that leadership at the highest level could reflect the diversity and resilience of immigrant communities.

In the world of business and media, few figures illustrate the transformative power of women of colour more than Oprah Winfrey. Rising from poverty in the American South, she built a global media empire and used her platform to champion education, philanthropy, and the empowerment of women and girls. Her influence has reshaped conversations about leadership, success, and social responsibility.

These women are not exceptions to the rule; they are examples of what happens when talent is finally allowed to flourish. Across Canada and throughout the global diaspora, women of colourare leading in every sector: education, healthcare, law, entrepreneurship, science, and the arts. They are founding companies, shaping public policy, advancing scientific discovery, and building institutions that strengthen communities.

Within Caribbean and immigrant communities in Canada, women of colour have long been the backbone of community life. They are the organizers who bring people together, the professionals who provide essential services, and the cultural leaders who preserve traditions across generations. Their leadership often goes unrecognized, yet it remains central to the survival and growth of communities.

Despite these achievements, the fight for equality is far from over. Around the world, debates about diversity, equity, and inclusion have intensified. Some political voices argue that society should return to so-called “merit-based” systems while ignoring the historical realities that prevented women and racialized communities from competing on equal footing for generations. When such rhetoric gains traction, women of colour are often the first to feel its consequences.

The language of merit can sometimes mask a deeper desire to return to a past where opportunities were restricted to a privileged few. That past was not a golden age. It was a time when the aspirations of women of colour were dismissed and their contributions overlooked.

International Women’s Day therefore serves as more than a celebration. It is a reminder that progress must be protected. The gains made by earlier generations, voting rights, educational access and economic participation, were hard-won victories that require constant vigilance.

For communities across Canada and around the world, women of colour remain pillars of strength. They have guided families through migration, preserved culture across continents, and built institutions that serve future generations. Their resilience has helped communities survive discrimination, economic hardship, and social upheaval.

The next chapter depends on ensuring that young girls see themselves reflected in positions of power and possibility. When they see women who look like them leading governments, running businesses, and shaping culture, it expands their vision of what their own futures can be.

International Women’s Day reminds us that the story of equality is still being written. The leadership of women of colour has already transformed societies in profound ways. If we continue to support and elevate that leadership, the future will be stronger, more inclusive, andmore just for everyone.

When women of colour rise, communities rise with them. And when communities rise, the promise of equality moves closer to reality.

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