An incredible group of the world’s most powerful, influential and inspirational women (and “the men who admire them”) is coming to NYC tonight through Friday, April 8th, at the 7th Annual Women in the World Summit, and you don’t want to miss out!

At first glance, names like Former First Lady Barbara Bush, Fox News anchor and journalist Megyn Kelly, actress Meryl Streep, and actor, writer and producer Mindy Kaling may jump out you as the event’s headlining acts. However, take a closer look and you'll see a wide range of  activists, CEOs, advocates and journalists tirelessly working to wage peace, fight against misogyny, and empower girls and women around the world.

Purposeful activism and storytelling prowess are among the common themes in this year’s impressive list of over 90 leaders around the world at the forefront of global development and social good.

Here’s a look at some of the participants and conversations at this year’s Women in the World Summit that have the Global Citizen staff more excited than a road-trip to Bonnaroo or a weekend at Coachella:

Her Brand is Crisis

In the world of investigative journalism it's hard to hold a candle to Lesley Stahl. Stahl's esteemed career in journalism spans more than 40 years, including 25 years reporting for the CBS award-winning news program 60 Minutes. She's covered Watergate and the Carter, Reagan, and George H.W. Bush administrations, and now she's sitting down with an essential leader in the world of relief and humanitarian aid, Ertharin Cousins. Leading the UN World Food Programme (WFP), Cousins leads responses to devastating crises, particularly in relation to hunger and malnutrition.

Speakers:

  • Ertharin Cousin, Executive Director, World Food Programme
  • Lesley Stahl, Correspondent, 60 Minutes

African Jihad

We don't often see stories in the news covering conflict in Africa and the courageous efforts to uproot and expel extremism and terrorism on the continent. The "African Jihad" panel at Women in the World pulls together the leading activists, advocates, and military leaders working day in and day out to restore stability to conflict areas across the continent. It's a rare look at complex and longstanding conflicts that are pervasive threats to hundreds of millions of African men, women, and children.

Speakers:

  • Esther Ibanga, CEO and Founder, Women Without Walls Initiative
  • Iman Elman, Captain, Somali National Army
  • Obiageli Ezekwesili, Co-Founder, Bring Back Our Girls
  • Margaret Brennan, Foreign Affairs Correspondent, CBS News (Moderator)

The Lasting Impact of Anita Hill

Shifting back stateside, the Women in the World Summit will illuminate America's most infamous sexual-harassment case and its importance for women's rights. With actress Kerry Washington, who stars as Anita Hill in a dramatic retelling of this pivotal moment in American politics, and Sally Quinn, noted journalist for The Washington Post, this panel is sure to give an inside look at a major moment in American history.

Speakers:

  • Kerry Washington, Actor, Producer and Activist
  • Susannah Grant, Executive Producer/Writer, Confirmation
  • Sally Quinn, Founder, “On Faith,” Reporter, The Washington Post
  • Cynthia McFadden, Senior Legal and Investigative Correspondent, NBC News (Moderator)

The Women in the World Summit’s inspiring list of global citizens will begin dishing out ideas and solutions to the world’s most pressing issues tonight at 6pm, with programming continuing throughout the day on Thursday and Friday (April 7th and 8th) at the David H. Koch Center - Lincoln Center.

If you can’t make it out in person, the event will be livestreaming here.

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Demand Equity

Who to look out for at the 7th Annual Women in the World Summit!

By Taylor B. Light