International Women's Day 2019

Happy International Women's Day 2019!

Today's interactive, slideshow Doodle is told by and made by women. In it, we showcase inspirational quotes across various languages by thirteen international female trailblazers—both past and present. Connecting to the larger theme of “women empowering women,” the quotes were also designed by a talented group of female guest artists from around the globe.

The process of choosing the thirteen quotes was extremely difficult, but we aimed to include a diverse representation of voices on a day which celebrates the past, present, and future community of diverse women around the world.

Learn more about the women who made today's Doodle possible below!

Guest artists featured in today's Doodle

(in alphabetical order)

Based in Dubai, UAE, women-owned design studio Abjad Design created the design below.

Q: How do you personally interpret the quote you designed?

A: Zaha's quote carries with it a sense of hope and optimism for a brighter and better future. That is to say, that the future itself is an “idea” worth pursuing and not just a timeframe.

Based in Curitiba, Brazil, Brazilian type artist Cyla Costa created the designs below.

Q: How do you personally interpret the Clarice Lispector quote you designed?

A: Such a simple sentence, however so powerful: for me it means the power of self-overcoming and a woman's reflection on what she really is versus what society says she should be. Let each woman choose her own version of "I".

Based in the United States, American illustrator Melissa Crowton created the multilingual opening and closing images in today's Doodle.

Q: What inspired your approach to the images you designed for the Doodle?

A: Although it is often hard to communicate so much in one image, I was inspired by the diversity of the women of the world and wanted my image to reflect that. Each element is unique in shape, texture, and size, which I found to be an apt representation of the beauty of our community.

Based in Brighton, UK, British designer and illustrator Kate Forrester created the design below.

Q: What does International Women's Day mean to you personally?

A: It is a chance to celebrate the progress we have made and consider what is yet to change for the better.

Based in Munich, Germany, German designer and lettering artist Rosa Kammermeier created the design below.

Q: What inspired the visual concept for your final quote design?

A: I was inspired by the idea of freedom, and chose a bird escaping from his cage as a symbol for the freedom of your mind.

Based in Mumbai, India, Indian paper typographer and illustrator Sabeena Karnik created the designs below.

Q: How do you personally interpret the NL Beno Zephine quote you designed?

A: This quote for me is so inspiring and uplifting. These are words by Beno Zephine, India's first visually challenged woman in the Indian foreign service. This line can push and motivate anyone to achieve their dreams just as she never stopped pursuing hers.

Based in Sydney, Australia, Australian lettering artist Gemma O'Brien created the design below.

Q: How do you personally interpret the quote you designed?

A: When I first received this quote to illustrate, I immediately jotted down some words in my sketch book. They read, “One person gives another the courage to rise up. To speak out. To be vulnerable. To be strong. To speak truth. To be heard. To make change.” I think the most inspiring thing about this quote is how it applies beyond the women’s movement. It only takes one courageous person to inspire many, many more.

Based in New York City, USA, Polish graphic designer Zuzanna Rogatty created the design below.

Q: What inspired the visual concept for your final quote design?

A: Through expressive and rhythmic lettering, I tried to illustrate the energy and power coming from the quote. I especially highlighted the word 'equally' and the last 'I matter", which I felt should sound the loudest.

Based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Argentinian graphic designer Yai Salinas created the designs below.

Q: What inspired the visual concept for your design of Frida Kahlo's quote?

A: I focused a lot on the context that reflects Frida Kahlo, in Mexican ornaments and a color palette that is visually striking. I also wanted to work specifically with the yellow color, which was particularly meaningful to her in life. I read the pages of her intimate diary many times in the design process.

Based in Tokyo, Japan, Japaense graphic designer Hazuki Tamano created the designs below.

Q: What inspired the visual concept for your design of Yoko Ono's quote?

A: I used the sky as inspiration for this piece, as Yoko Ono references it in many of her works. Red is used to accent "dream" and "reality" to represent the sun shining brightly down on us.

Speakers featured in today's Doodle

(in alphabetical order)

Chimamanda Adichie, Nigerian writer

Millicent Fawcett, British writer and suffragette

Zaha Hadid, British-Iraqi architect

Emma Herwegh, German writer

Dr. Mae Jemison, American astronaul and physician

Frida Kahlo, Mexican artist

Mary Kom, Indian boxer

Clarice Lispector, Brazilian novelist

Yoko Ono, Japanese multimedia artist

George Sand, French novelist

Sanmao, Chinese-born Taiwanese writer

Marina Tsvetaeva, Russian poet

NL Beno Zephine, Indian diplomat

Celebrate and explore the stories of even more trailblazing women throughout history by visiting Google Arts & Culture.

Designer | Vishnu Ganti

Art Director | Erich Nagler

Marketing & Partnerships Lead | Perla Campos

Business Affairs Lead | Madeline Belliveau

Producers | Colin Duffy, Lindsay Elgin

Engineering Lead | David Lu

Doodle Team Leads | Jessica Yu, Brian Kaas, Ryan Germick
 

Special thanks to

Leanna, Arpita, Karina, Raj  & all the creative writers from the Personality Team