Women Reshaping the World

By Maegan Clark

October 3, 2019

Last Updated: December 9, 2010

This week TED held the first-ever TEDWomen conference which invited men and women to explore the question, How are women and girls reshaping the world? Speakers included women who are changing the world around them by creating inventions and businesses, and learning how to bring peace to their communities.

During the conference, surprise speaker Hillary Clinton took the stage to discuss what needs to be done to widen the circle of opportunity for women and girls worldwide.


“We can already see power of women and girls as agents of change,” she continued. “I have made it clear as secretary of state that the roles and rights of women will be a central tenet of American foreign policy. Where girls and women flourish, our values are also protected.”

Clinton ended her speech with a story of an African teenage girl who was told by her father that she would quit school for an early marriage. The young girl refused. The reason? If she had to have an early marriage she would take the cow which was given to her family by a project like Heifer. Her father agreed and let his daughter finish school because he wanted to keep the cow within the family.

Heifer believes in empowering women and helping bring peace to community tribes. Currently we are working with a group of women in Rajasthan, India where we’re teaching them about diverse resources, such as livestock and kitchen gardens. By the end of the project, the women will have an increased income, food consumption, and improved health. They will have also created a life built by sustainability.


To view just how Heifer is helping in India – watch the video below.