How Millennial And Generation Z Women Are Changing The World

By Jori Hamilton

Every decade is characterized by a set of peculiar or unique events. As 2019 has now come to an end and we enter a new decade, it’s worth reflecting on some of the ways the world around us has evolved. One of the most notable changes is the rise of Generation Z and millennial women. In the past decade, they’ve used their voices, resources, and knowledge to leave indelible marks. Whether it be movements like Black Lives Matter, the Women’s March, March for our Lives or the #MeToo movement, these are just a few examples of how millennial and Gen Z voices are creating change, as they were the leaders and founders of these movements. The hope is that as they enter this new era, they will bring with them their insatiable fire and desire to change the world. That being said, who exactly are these women and how are they changing the world?

Disrupting Business Culture 

Have you noticed that the number of female entrepreneurs has grown by leaps and bounds in the past decade? It may interest you to know that since 1972, the number of women-owned businesses has increased by nearly 3,000%. Some reasons more women are turning to entrepreneurship include the need for flexibility and the desire to charge what they’re worth, so they can advance in their career quicker. 

It is safe to say that this exponential growth in female entrepreneurship has sparked positive changes in business culture. These millennials are impacting the business world by prioritizing things like sustainability, diversity and social responsibility. This raises the bar and challenges other organizations to hold themselves accountable to customers and communities.

Millennial women have also made an impact in the business world by promoting the idea of flexibility in the workplace. As a result, more individuals can find a better balance between pursuing their dreams and being there for their families. Although millennials have been labeled as a lazy generation, because they desire flexible work, the reality is that they’ve learned to work smarter and not harder. 

Ultimately, millennials are influencing what’s seen as valuable in the workplace by pushing their values forward. Fortunately, they’re choosing to prioritize work that has purpose and that positively impacts the world around them. 

Shifting Conversations 

Another way that millennials and Generation Z women are changing the world is by shifting important conversations. One that is particularly relevant is that of climate change as it’s a global issue that affects everyone that’s a part of this interconnected world. Greta Thunberg is a primary example of a Generation Z woman who is doing work to shift the conversation. She applies pressure to large companies encouraging them to be more conscious of their carbon footprint and the impact it’s having on the environment. This is important work as increased heat, decreasing polar caps, and rising acidity levels are consequences of climate change that affect everyone. 

Another Generation Z woman shifting the conversation is Sejal Makheja. At just 14 years old, she created The Elevator Project, which helps people in poverty by providing job training for them. In doing so, she has helped empower financially disadvantaged people and change their narrative. 

Having said that, this generation is not only leading social change by developing initiatives, but also through using their platforms and influence to support causes they find worthwhile. 

Young women everywhere are using their voices to fuel a new wave of activism that consists of social media posts, organizing rallies, sharing viral videos, and challenging the status quo. Emma Watson is a great example of a millennial woman using her platform for social change. She is the mastermind behind the #HeForSheCampaign which united people to fight for women’s rights and gender equality. She is also one of many millennial women using social media for change. 

Creativity and Innovation  

Millennial and Generation Z women are changing the world through their innovative thinking. It’s resulting in them revolutionizing industries and continually setting new trends. Did you know that millennials are the largest generation in history? They’re also the most educated, which could be why they’re so drawn to technological advancements and innovation. As a result, industries are being forced to create services and products that cater to the multifaceted needs of this generation. For instance, UX that caters to millennials is characterized by things like social shares and user-generated content. Keeping up with the changing demands of millennials is important if organizations want to remain relevant. 

Jessica O. Matthews is a creative millennial making strides. She invented SOCCKET which is a soccer ball that produces energy as it’s kicked around. This invention has helped disadvantaged people in developing countries power their homes. It is creative thinking like this that has helped to solve many problems over the past decade. 

It is an exciting time to be alive as we transition from one decade to another. It’s also fascinating to have witnessed the evolution of women, and the pervasiveness of their voices. Hopefully, we’ll have the privilege of seeing the positive changes they’ve made follow us into a new and exciting era.

Jori Hamilton is a writer from the Pacific Northwest who covers social justice, politics, education, healthcare, technology, and more. You can follow her work on twitter @hamiltonjori or https://writerjorihamilton.contently.com