20 Twenty-Something Girls Making the World a Better Place3

By Rebecca Leib, Jul 07, 2010 in Pop Culture, Show News

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20 Twenty-Something Girls Making the World a Better Place

Sometimes the world seems like a daunting place, a place of irreconcilable chaos. You might feel like you’re just one person, powerless to change the world for the better. On those days, you should take a look at this list and say, “I can do that!” Like the girls of the KoldCast TV hipster series, We Are With The Band, we think some girls need to look the world in the eye and say: “Screw you, I can do better.” Here’s a list of 20 kickass girls in their 20’s who have made the world a better place, despite many obstacles. KoldCast salutes young DIY gals eager for independence and change!

We Are With The Band, Episode 1: Hungover

1. Katherine Jenkins, 29

Katherine Jenkins is just a valley girl singer…or is she? This California girl has broken numerous records: she is the UK’s biggest-selling mezzo-soprano ever, the only artist to hold the top four spots simultaneously in the HMV classical music album charts, and has sold more than three million records in the UK alone. Some people would say you can never make it big unless you sing candy-coated pop tunes; but Jenkins is a CLASSICAL singer bringing the classical tradition to the masses. Move over Britney and Miley, this British-loved songstress is poised to expand the world of “popular” music.

2. Melissa Hamilton, 21

This dancer from Belfast has reintroduced ballet to her generation. As the youngest principal member of the Royal Ballet, Hamilton is inspiring young girls around the world. Hamilton never expected to make ballet a career – it was just something to do to keep her out of trouble. In Northern Ireland, where ballet is almost nonexistent, Hamilton built a career through hard work, talent and lots of broken toes! In 2007, she won the Youth America Grand Prix, the world’s largest ballet scholarship competition, which began her road to stardom.

3. Tamsin Omond, 24

This girl’s got guts! Omond is the founder of Climate Rush, a non-profit organization that campaigns for various environmental rights. Omond was arrested last year after scaling the Palace of Westminster in protest at Heathrow expansion and is also known for dumping manure on journalist Jeremy Clarkson’s lawn in answer to his comments on emissions. Perhaps she’s not the most elegant communicator but she does get her point across!

4. Kjerstin Erickson, 26

Erikson started FORGE in 2003, while a junior at Stanford University. FORGE is a United States-based non-profit organization that works with displaced communities in Africa. Now 26, Erikson continues to manage FORGE’s operations, growth and development. She has developed partnerships with U.N. agencies and has worked with multiple African governments to bring FORGE’s work to over 60,000 refugees per year. Talk about change!

5. Lady Gaga, 23

Lady Gaga, born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, has taken the torch of musical progressive sexuality from Madonna (not an easy feat) and pushed the limit in indulgent, risque pop. As a NYU student in 2003, she began making music that made the New York music scene take notice. Now, she has topped the charts with songs like “Just Dance” and “Paparazzi.” If that wasn’t enough, she has used her fame to advocate for human rights and LGBT causes.

6. Princess Beatrice of York, 21

Princess Beatrice of York, daughter of Sarah Ferguson, was the first princess born into the immediate royal family. She is fifth in line for the throne to over sixteen sovereign states including the UK, Canada and Australia! But she’s not just an ordinary princess. She uses her position to assist others through charity work. She had already undertaken several charitable duties alongside her mother and participates independently with organizations like Teenage Cancer Trust and Children in Crisis.

7. Taylor Swift, 20

Though young, this country superstar has certainly made an impact on the music world. She started playing music at age ten and quickly got signed to a major music label at fifteen. Her hits “Love Story” and “White Horse” made her a household name uber-famous and a teen icon. In addition to this, she has been involved with philanthropic campaigns to curb online predators, disaster relief and the Red Cross.

8. Natalie Portman, 28

Natalie Portman got her start as a child actress in such films as The Professional and Beautiful Girls. After reading Jonathan Foer’s book Eating Animals, Portman became a vegan and animal rights advocate. She speaks five languages and already owns a Golden Globe. She’s quickly on the road to winning an Oscar and is very much succeeding at protecting animals everywhere.

9. Lucy Prebble, 28

This young playwright from Surrey isn’t your average gal. She’s a British writer with a commission from The Royal National Theater and the creator of the Showtime original series “Secret Diary of a Call Girl.” Determined to push the envelope with her groundbreaking playwriting, Prebble’s plays have touched on the topics of pedophilia, corporate corruption and the sex industry. She’s currently has her eye on feature films where we are sure to be shocked, educated and impressed.

10. Scarlett Johansson, 25

Johansson has topped sexy lists and hot actor lists since her breakout film, Lost in Translation. Still, this hot actress is more than a pretty face. When she’s not filming movies, she’s been known to campaign for political and social causes. She is a Global Ambassador for OXFAM and advocate on behalf of ONE (both anti-poverty organizations) as well as a vocal supporter of social change in America.

11. Maggie Doyne, 22

The summer after graduating high school, Doyne went backpacking in Asia. Four countries and 20,000 miles later, she was shocked to find so many orphaned children. She was so moved that she bought a piece of land in Nepal and built a childrens home, brick by brick, alongside the local community. Today she runs The BlinkNow Foundation where she continues to inspire young adults to do something about poverty.

12. Krissi Murison, 27

This brash British music journalist studied English Literature at Bristol University, and joined famed music magazine NME (prominent UK music magazine) as a staff writer in 2003. In July 2009, she became the first and youngest female editor in chief of the magazine that helps shape the music world. Rock on, Krissi!

13. Monica Lin Brown, 20

Brown is already a hero and barely out of her teenage years. On March 21, 2008, Monica Lin Brown became the second female soldier since World War II to be given the prestigious Silver Star of Valor, the nation’s third highest star for bravery. Specialist Brown saved the lives of her fellow soldiers by running through insurgent gunfire in Afghanistan and using her body to shield wounded comrades.

14. Chloe Smith, 27

This Tory gal took her place in the House of Commons as its youngest Member of Parliament representing Norwich North. The former management consultant and school governor represents the shape of things to come – both conservative and liberal. Not only that, Smith is an active volunteer and fundraiser with Cancer Research foundations and Sport UK.

15. Charlotte Casiraghi, 24

Charlotte Marie Pomeline Casiraghi is the second child of Caroline, Princess of Hanover and Stefani Casiraghi, an Italian Industrialist. Aside from being royalty, why else might you know her? She’s Grace Kelly’s granddaughter! If being fourth in line for the throne of Monaco weren’t enough, she is an accomplished and decorated Equestrian and writer. She is the Editor of Above magazine and founded the magazine Ever Manifesto.

16. Jo Swinson, 29

Swinson is a Scottish liberal democrat politician and like another on this list, a member of Parliament. Educated at Douglas Academy in Milngavie and The London School of Economics, Swinson originally worked as a marketing and PR manager. In 2005, she won her seat with a hefty lead over the conservative competition. Among her platforms she is against the Iraq war, positive discrimination and prison reform.

17. Jacqueline Murekatete, 25

At age 9, Jacqueline became an orphan, the product of the brutal genocide in Rwanda. Her six siblings, parents, and most of her extended family were among the victims of the travesty. After moving to America, Jacqueline founded the Jacqueline’s Human Rights Corner in 2007. The purpose of the Human Rights Corner is to educate people all over the world about genocides of the past. She is now working to build a community center in the Bugesera District of Rwanda in her family’s memory.

18. Alecia Venkataraman, 24

Alecia married her high school sweetheart and stayed with him for two years… despite his near constant physical and mental abuse. She eventually left her husband with only fifty dollars to her name, determined to change. Now, Venkataraman is a leading young advocate on behalf of women. In 2009, Alecia created two full-service support centers in Central Tennessee to help others in times of crisis, under the title Make It Beautiful, Inc.

19. Maria Sharapova, 23

Sharapova is a champion tennis player and currently ranked number 17 in the world. Despite many injuries and inconsistent play, Sharapova has proven that women can succeed in sports despite many obstacles. Sharapova has earned respect for her persistence and has won many endorsements for her sportsmanship and worldwide appeal. Since February 2007, she has been a United Nations Development Project Goodwill Ambassador, concerned specifically with the Chernobyl Recovery and Development Program.

20. Amelia Russell, 27

Ms. Russell isn’t only a doctor but an activist. The British native walked 500 miles in 58 days from Resolute Bay in Canada in aid of the charity Help for Heroes. Not only that, but she dislocated her shoulder twice on the journey and set it herself! By enduring a strenuous journey with below freezing temperatures, this woman has made a difference.

We Are With The Band, Episode 2: Club

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Rebecca Leib received her BFA in Fine Art and MFA in writing and hails from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is a Los Angeles based comedian and writer. Her work can be seen in the pages of many print and online publications, including Beautiful/Decay, Artillery Magazine, Blackbook, Tvgasm, Metrowize and Dailyfill. She has performed at the Second City Studio Theatre, UCB-LA, IOWest and the improv, and can often be seen brooding at sidewalk cafes.