Media Girls Network would like to extend a magical International Women’s Day to each of our members and all of the powerful women across the world. Women have birthed everything from empires to social movements. Read along for this list we’ve created of 5 favorite women in media from around the world.
1. Zainab Salbi

Zainab is an Iraqi women’s rights activist, author, and public speaker. After surviving an abusive arranged marriage and the traumas of the Iraq war, she founded Women For Women International dedicating her life to standing in solidarity with women survivors of war. Under Zainab’s leadership the organization has aided over 470,000 women in 8 different areas of conflict. After being featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show her relentless efforts to create safe spaces for women she was named as one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential Women. She expanded into the media industry in 2011 , establishing the historic talk show The Nidaa Show which aired across 22 Arab countries airing the first episode with an exclusive interview with Oprah Winfrey. Zainab Salbi has won several awards including #1 Most Influential Arab Women by Arabian Business.
2. Soledad O’Brien

Soledad O’Brien has been an iconic symbol in News, Journalism and Activism for more than 25 years. Her presence has served as a sturdy layout of representation to black and latinx communities globally. Her career spans across dozens of networks and she has won countless awards. Her work in discussing groundbreaking topics such as racial disparities in social and political settings has made her one of the most influential journalists of all time. Her production company Starfish Media group has created opportunities to black and brown creatives with access to major platforms.
3. Cheslie Kryst

Cheslie Kryst was an attorney, pageant title holder, and media correspondent for Extra! from North Carolina. She worked to build her career by creating programs geared towards reforming sentencing disparities in her community. She rose to fame after claiming the title of Miss USA in 2019. Cheslie had a passion for philanthropy, including her partnership with Express to raise $1,000,000 for Big Brother Big Sister of America. Kryst went on to be nominated for 2 Emmys for her work in Media. In memoriam after her untimely passing in January of 2022 Dress for Success Charlotte announced the establishment of The Cheslie Kryst Women’s Advancement Fund aiding women in their employment journey. Cheslie is remembered as a vibrant soul who has left a solid legacy within the media industry.
4. Symone D Sanders.

Symone Sanders is an American political strategist and commentator. Symone comes from a legacy of women in media as her mother, Terri Sanders served as the former publisher for the Omaha Star and director of the Great Plains History Museum. After serving as chief spokesperson to Vice-President Harris and senior advisor to President Biden during his 2020 election campaign. Sanders went on to join CNN as an analyst and has recently released her memoir No, You Shut Up! Symone was named by Fusion as one of 30 Women Under 30 that would shape the election. She currently hosts MSNBC’s The Choice, and continues to use her voice to represent the African-American community across political platforms.
5. Jo'Vita Moore

JoVita Moore was a veteran news anchor for Channel 2 Action News based out of Atlanta, Georgia. Through her passion for journalism and media she serves the city of Atlanta faithfully for 28 years. She reached many citizens of Atlanta through her countless non-profit, and community based events and organizations. Moore served on the board of directors for Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and the National Association of Black Journalist. Her legacy has created numerous opportunities for the youth of Atlanta and her presence at Channel 2 is one that is irreplaceable. We are eternally grateful for the opportunity to have interviewed Ms. JoVita Moore before her transition. Her words of wisdom resonated across Media Girls Network and will forever be a monumental moment for this platform. After a battle with cancer, Jovita Moore passed away in October of 2021. Thousand mourned and showed their support for Moore at the news of her passing, but her influence in the city of Atlanta is one that will surpass the foundation of time.
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