Remember this song by the Spice Girls?  More importantly, remember “Girl Power”?

Well, considering the amazing women doing important things in the world today…we at USDemocrazy think it’s time to update that 20 year old catch phrase.

Primarily the word “power”. Because today’s feminism is all about finding empowerment. Not finding power.

To illustrate how far we’ve all come, we  have picked a few new faces to represent the beloved (and missed) pop group.

 Malala Yousafzai:

“ One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world. Education is the only solution. Education first.”

 Look up her most recent interview with Jon Stewart here

Angela Merkel:

“When it comes to human dignity, we cannot make compromises.”

Whether you agree with her policies or not, there is no denying that Merkel (as the German President) has a huge influence on today’s world.

Aung San Suu Kyi 

 “My top priority is for people to understand that they have the power to change things themselves.” 

We can barely stand being stuck in our dorms for more than a few hours. Aung San Suu Kyi was placed under house arrest for about 15 years all because she stands against a cruel and undemocratic government.

Read more about her struggles and succeses here

Edna Adnan

 …We will have trained midwives throughout the country. If the woman who delivers [the children] is one who has been given some training and who can prevent complications and who can understand risks… women will have a better chance of survival. And that’s my hope, that’s my goal. And if I leave before I do it, I leave that legacy to the world. It’s got to be done.

Sometimes the most dangerous thing about being a woman…is being a woman. In Somaliland 1 out of 12 women will die from child birth. Even more will suffer tragic bodily harm because of domestic abuse.

Read more or donate to Edna’s hospital here

Nicholas Kristof

“There could be a powerful international women’s rights movement if only philanthropists would donate as much to real women as to paintings and sculptures of women.” 

We told you. Men can be feminists too. Kristof is a journalist in the NYTimes as well as co-author of Half The Sky

That’s our short list.

With this new group let us say goodbye to the phrase “Girl Power” and say hello to “Girl Empowered”.  Girl Power kind of puts women in a box. It still paints an ideal woman… but only one that wears lots of sparkles and high heels. This isn’t very accurate. Feminists come from all walks of life. It has nothing to do with our ability to wear bras and skirts –heck, you don’t even have to be a woman.

Do you have others you’d like to add to the “Girl Empowered” list?