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International Women's Day: Michelle Obama and Ashley Graham share powerful Instagram posts

Instagram/@MichelleObama
Instagram/@MichelleObama

On International Women’s Day people around the world celebrate female empowerment and show their support for various feminist causes.

This year, celebrities including Michelle Obama, Priyanka Chopra and Kris Jenner marked the day (Sunday 8 March) by sharing celebratory messages on Instagram.

While some famous faces, like Nicole Kidman and Kate Upton, took the opportunity to pay tribute to their female family members, others, including Ashley Graham, spoke out about some of their greatest achievements.

Read on for our selection of the best and most empowering and moving celebrity Instagram posts this International Women’s Day.

Michelle Obama

For International Women’s Day, Michelle Obama shared a photograph of herself alongside YouTube influencers Liza Koshy, Prajakta Koli and Thembe Mahlaba in support of Girls Opportunity Alliance, the organisation the former first lady started to support young women who face obstacles in their access to education.

“They’re sharing these stories, which showcase how education can transform girls’ lives and create a ripple effect for communities, in an upcoming special streaming on @YouTube Originals on March 17th,” she wrote in the caption before directing her 36.9 million followers to a link to preview the film.

Ashley Graham

The American model marked International Women’s Day by sharing a candid photograph of herself during childbirth.

Graham gave birth to her first child Isaac, in January.

“This is the face of my greatest strength,” the 32-year-old wrote.

“The greatest pain I’ve ever known and the greatest accomplishment that I’ve ever achieved.

“On this International Women’s Day understand that despite whatever pain or trial we have all experienced as women, we are also strong, powerful and capable of accomplishing greatness. Happy International Women’s Day! Let’s all celebrate our, and each other’s strengths today.”

Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra shared two photographs of herself with a woman named Hasina who she met on a visit to Ethiopia with Unicef.

“She blew me away with her grit and purpose,” the actor wrote before going on to explain how Hasina was going to be a child bride, but she escaped and went to a community-based prevention centre she had heard about at school.

“Hasina is one of the many girls who dream of a future where every girl can be a girl – not a bride, not a victim of violence or discrimination,” Chopra wrote. “Nothing but a powerful, unstoppable girl ready to take on the world.”

Chopra concluded her post by calling on her 50.6 million followers to share their stories of women they admire and why in the comments below.

Kris Jenner

To mark International Women’s Day, the reality TV star shared several photographs of her daughters, Kim, Khloe, Kourtney, Kendall and Kylie, and her granddaughters.

“I am beyond blessed to be surrounded by so many incredible women,” Jenner wrote.

“My girls are my everything, and I could not be more proud of the women they have become... smart, strong, amazing moms to my grandkids, hard-working women that inspire so many, including me, every single day!”

Jenner added a note to all of the women reading her caption: “Celebrate who you are today and who you will become tomorrow! Here to us, ladies!”

Kate Upton

The American model shared two photographs on Instagram on International Women’s Day, one of herself with her one-year-old daughter, Genevieve, and another with the other women in her family.

“Here’s to the strong women,” Upton wrote in the caption.

“May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them. Happy #InternationalWomensDay.”

Nicole Kidman

For International Women’s Day, the Australian actor shared a photograph of herself alongside her mother, Janelle, and sister, Antonia.

“We can always use more opportunities to celebrate the deeply special women in our lives,” Kidman wrote.

“Thinking of my beautiful Mumma and sister @AntoniaKidman today for #InternationalWomensDay.”

Greta Thunberg

On International Women’s Day, Greta Thunberg shared a photograph of herself staring down the camera lens alongside a powerful caption about how climate change adversely affects women.

“Today is #InternationalWomensDay and we recognise that women are still far from equal to men in today’s societies,” the teenage activist wrote.

“Those who will suffer the most from the climate- and environmental crisis are the ones who are already the most vulnerable, socially and financially. And that tends to be women living in the global south... We can not have climate justice without gender equality.

“And remember; what we women want today – and every day- is fundamental equal rights, not congratulations or celebrations.”

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson

The American actor posted an adorable photograph of him with his daughter, Jasmine, alongside the caption: “Blessed, strong and the world will hear from you one day.”

In a video posted on his Instagram stories, Johnson posed with his youngest daughter, Tiana, and shared heartwarming words about her.

“The world will one day here from you too, my strong little love,” he said to the camera.

“And I can’t promise you I’ll love you for the rest of your life, but you have my word I’ll love and protect you for the rest of mine.”

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