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The women who made a difference in 2016

This proves 2016 wasn't all bad.
Women of 2016

2016 saw women from all corners continue the fight for equality.

From First Lady Michelle Obama’s scathing speech following President-Elect Donald Trump’s leaked sex tape to New Zealand lingerie designer Helene Morris setting new standards for body positivity, these women shook things up, challenged the status quo and paved the way for fairer treatment for all.

Click through to see the women who made sure 2016 was one to remember.

First Lady Michelle Obama delivered an incredibly powerful response to news of Donald Trump’s leaked 2005 tape which appeared to be sanctioning sexual assault. Her speech, which called out the dangerously misogynistic election discourse, resonated with women around the world. She said: “Too many are treating this as just another day’s headline, as if our outrage is overblown or unwarranted. As if this is normal. Just politics as usual, but New Hampshire, be clear: This is not normal, this is not politics as usual. This is disgraceful. It is intolerable”. Gallery continues after video

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First lady Michelle Obama on bullies: ‘We they go low, we go high’

19-year-old Eliza McCartney pole vaulted her way to a bronze medal at this year’s 2016 Rio Olympics. Following her stunning win, the teen who hails from Devonport, Auckland went on record to say she believed women could match men in the sport telling TVNZ: “…things are really moving forward very fast and the sport’s evolving very quickly…we’ll be pushing some heights near the boys hopefully. Watch out boys…”

Beyoncé on The Formation World Tour

Beyonce’s second visual album Lemonade came out swinging from the start. Her short film celebrated black women in all sorts of ways while still speaking to the difficult issues underpinning black American culture. It was boundary breaking and went on to receive many Grammy nominations and a Best Album of the Year award from Rolling Stone.

Lena Dunham and Jemima Kirke

Girls stars Lena Dunham and Jemima Kirke fronted a campaign by New Zealand lingerie and swimwear brand, Lonely. The body positive campaign shot the women in natural light, and there was no photoshop retouch later.

The Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla Parker-Bowles hired an all-female security detail during a visit to the United Arab Emirates when she travelled to the region as part of a tour to promote religious tolerance and female empowerment. While Camilla’s ‘remarkable’ women might not look that threatening on the face of it, they’ve been trained in martial arts, and reportedly carry hidden weapons under their hijabs and abayas, in case of attack. Camilla called her crack team the “most incredible women”.

Lizzie Marvelly’s My Body My Terms campaign featured stripped-down celebrities speaking out against sexual violence and revenge porn. The 26-year-old Kiwi started the campaign to shift attitudes about consent and sexual violence.

Otago’s Courtney Duncan is considered the fastest woman in motocross in the world. This year she looked set to take the Women’s World Championship but was knocked out through injury. She recovered enough to keep racing, and despite her wins, a major points lead put the title just out of reach. This year was still history-making for the 20-year-old as she took out the New Zealand Motocross Grand Prix with her win against the boys. 2017 will see her head back to Europe for another shot at the world champs.

Maminydjama Magnolia Maymuru made history as the first indigenous model to represent the Northern Territory for the Miss World Australia competition.

Emily Ratajkowski copped a serious amount of flak for the fashion-forward Julien MacDonald gown she wore to the Harper’s Bazaar party back in September. Main antagonist was E! News’ Tim Gunn who lashed out at the star’s choice calling it “vulgar and repugnant”. Emily’s comeback: “It’s 2016. Why keep trying to dictate what women can wear?”

While Hillary Clinton didn’t make it to the White House in 2016, she was still the first female nominee of a major party to run for election. During her concession speech she shared a positive message of hope: “To all the little girls watching, never doubt that you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world”.

Comedian Amy Schumer took out the number four spot on this years Forbes’ list of Highest Paid Comedians. It was the first time a women had ever appeared on the list. Her reported earnings for the year of $17m saw her secure a spot among the millionaire funny men. Gallery continues after video

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Amy Schumer says Jennifer Lawrence is ‘one of the meanest people she knows’

Emma Watson gave another rousing speech to the United Nation’s this year in a mission to end campus assault and gender inequality in the university system. Her HeForShe initiative launched in 2014 continues to see the actress campaign for equality women’s empowerment at the highest level.

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Emma Watson speaks at the HeForShe IMPACT University Champions Launch in NYC

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