March 8 is International Women’s Day and we want to honor the inspiring women of our era. From professors to artists to athletes, Crisis Text Line is raising awareness for these women and the empowering actions they’ve taken to advocate for mental health in their communities and across the nation.

Here are just a few of the women on our list!

Simone Biles is tied as the most decorated gymnast of all time. She has a combined total of 32 Olympic and World Championship medals. She brought attention to mental health in sports after she missed a week of the Tokyo Games.

Dr. Brene Brown is a professor at the University of Houston, author and podcast host, known widely for her studies on leadership, vulnerability, and shame. Her 2010 viral Ted Talk brought a new perspective to the power of vulnerability. 

Dr. Courtney Cogburn is a professor at Columbia University School of Social Work. Her research employs a transdisciplinary strategy to improve the characterization and measurement of racism, and in examining the role of racism in the production of racial inequities in health. 

Dr. Angela Duckworth is a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, psychologist and science author. She is noted for her research on grit, the passion and perseverance for long-term goals, which was presented on TED talk. She founded the nonprofit, Character Lab, an organization that advances scientific insights for children to thrive.

Selena Gomez is a singer, actress and producer. She opened up about her treatment for lupus, which triggered various mental health challenges including anxiety, panic attacks, and depression.

Hannah Lucas is a 17-year old co-founder of the app, NotOK, a platform for those who need immediate mental health support, which was awarded Mental Health America’s Power Award, the National Alliance on Mental Illness Georgia’s Young Leader Award, and National Black History Blacks in Tech Award.

Dr. Rachel Levine is the 17th Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She is also a pediatrician who has a track record for promoting physical and mental health. She addresses the mental crisis among LGBTQ youth, calling attention to the political discourse around equality, and its tie to debilitating mental health for trans and queer youth. 

Sha’Carri Richardson is a track and field 100- and 200-meter sprinter who became the sixth fastest woman of all time and fourth fastest American woman in history after running 100 meters in 10.72 seconds. She spoke candidly about her mental health challenges in high school.

Carmela Wallace is a public speaker for the importance of mental health in the Black community and co-founder of Live Free 999. She is the mother of Jarad Anthony Higgins (Juice WRLD), a rapper and songwriter who struggled with prescription drug dependency. Wallace founded Live Free 999 in Juice WRLD’s honor to to support programs that provide preventative measures and positive avenues to address mental health challenges and substance dependency.