The iWoman Report: Women Leading the Moment - From “Wicked” & the Gotham Awards to the Nobel Peace Prize & the CROWN Act

Why “Wicked: For Good” Proves Stories About Strong, Complicated Women Still Win Big

The sequel Wicked: For Good has landed and while critics are more divided than with the first film, there’s something unmistakably powerful about this darker, more introspective chapter of the Oz saga. Wicked: For Good is proving once again that stories about powerful, complicated women aren’t just resonating, they are dominating. The long-awaited film adaptation continues its magical run at the box office, holding strong in its second weekend with no signs of slowing down. 

Audiences across generations are showing up and showing out for the reimagined tale of sisterhood between Elphaba and Glinda, two women who defy expectations, challenge the narratives placed upon them, and ultimately discover their own power. With spectacular performances, a devoted fandom, and the unmatched cultural pull of a story that celebrates female agency, Wicked has soared far beyond traditional blockbuster expectations. 

Reviewers have praised the performances and emotional gravitas, especially the renewed bond between the two lead women, Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba) and Ariana Grande (Glinda). The film captures their sisterhood not just as an abstract theme but a vivid, emotional reality, offering young women everywhere a tale of truth, support, heartbreak and renewal.

Yes, Wicked: For Good leans into heavier themes than its predecessor: heartbreak, identity, societal pressure, loss and the cost of standing for what you believe in. But in doing so, it gives space for its female protagonists to evolve, to stumble, to fight, and to rediscover themselves on their own terms.

Elphaba’s journey is no longer just about defying evil; it’s about reconciling who she is with how the world sees her. Glinda’s arc, meanwhile, becomes more than glitter and popularity; it’s a reckoning with privilege, power, and what it means to stand by a friend at the cost of personal comfort. Through these arcs, the film draws a broader canvas: sisterhood, solidarity, and survival. While some may wish the adaptation was less somber, for many viewers, the film succeeds in delivering what matters most: a story where women are messy, ambitious, flawed, powerful, loving, and resilient all at once.

The film’s continued success is a testament not only to its dazzling world-building and iconic music but to the lasting hunger for stories that center women’s complexity, ambition, and heart. As Wicked continues to fly high, it’s clear that audiences aren’t just watching a movie, they are celebrating a legacy of female empowerment that has inspired millions, proving that this beloved story is not just wicked…but here for good.

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María Corina Machado: The Nobel Peace Prize Winner Redefining Courage and Democracy

In a world where democracy and human rights often hang in the balance, this year’s Nobel Peace Prize reminds us of the power and resilience of one remarkable woman: María Corina Machado. This October, the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded María Corina Machado the Nobel Peace Prize “for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.”

Machado, a longtime opposition leader and co-founder of the pro-democracy organization Súmate, has stood at the forefront of Venezuela’s fight against authoritarian rule. More than two decades ago, she began mobilizing communities, training election-observers, advocating for fair elections, judicial independence and human rights. Her journey has not been easy: after being blocked from running in the 2024 presidential election, she went into hiding under threat, yet she never backed down.

For the Nobel Committee, Machado represents “one of the most extraordinary examples of civilian courage in Latin America.” In a country scarred by economic collapse, widespread repression and a humanitarian crisis that has driven nearly eight million people from their homes, she has become a unifying force bringing together a fractured opposition with a shared demand for free, transparent elections and representative government.

Her victory is not just personal, it's historic. Machado becomes only the 20th woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize since it was first awarded in 1091, a bittersweet reminder of how many more women around the world wage battles for democracy and human rights without recognition.

At a time when authoritarianism, censorship, and repression are rising globally, Machado’s award sends a powerful message: that the tools of democracy including ballots, peaceful protest and collective will remain among the strongest weapons for peace. The Nobel Peace Prize 2025 doesn't just honor one woman’s courage; it honors the hope of millions who dream of freedom, dignity, and a democratic future.

Lets celebrate this moment and remind us how essential it is to keep speaking out, organizing, and believing that peaceful resistance can change the world.

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Pennsylvania Makes History: CROWN Act Becomes Law, Protecting Natural Hair and Identity

The CROWN Act, short for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair,” was officially signed into law in Pennsylvania on November 25, 2025. In a West Philadelphia natural-hair salon, joined by advocates and lawmakers, Governor Josh Shapiro underscored the law’s significance, stating, “Real freedom means being respected for who you are — no matter what you look like, where you come from, who you love, or who you pray to.”

With the passage of the law which will take effect January 24, 2026 Pennsylvania becomes the 28th state to enshrine protections against hair-based discrimination. The legislation expands the definition of “race” under the state’s human-relations protections to include hair texture and protective styles historically associated with cultural identity such as locs, braids, twists, coils, Bantu knots, afros, extensions and more.

For too long, hair, especially natural hair worn by Black people has been weaponized as justification for discrimination in schools, workplaces and beyond. In 2022 alone, the state’s Human Relations Commission logged over 900 complaints tied to hair-based bias. This new law promises to change that.

At the signing, advocates like salon owner Lorraine Ruley, who for decades watched clients forced to “clean up” their braids or cut their locs just to land interviews, have expressed relief and hope. Leaders who fought for the bill, including Joanna McClinton and La’Tasha Mayes, spoke about how this legislation removes a barrier to opportunity, dignity and economic access for so many, especially Black women and men, across Pennsylvania.

This isn’t just about hair. It’s a stand for identity. For cultural roots. For the right to show up authentically in the boardroom, the classroom or any place you deserve to be. With the CROWN Act now law, Pennsylvania is saying: your hair doesn’t hold you back. Your identity does not define your opportunity. Your natural beauty in all its texture, coils, braids and curls is valid, respected, and protected.

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Gotham Film Awards 2025 Spotlight Female Talent and Trailblazers

The 2025 Gotham Film Awards showcased an extraordinary slate of women whose artistry, vision, and performances shaped some of the year’s most acclaimed storytelling. The Gotham Film Awards, presented annually by The Gotham Film & Media Institute to honor achievements in independent film and, more recently, television, once again spotlighted the bold voices and visionary talent shaping today’s storytelling. As one of the first major award ceremonies of the season and a reliable early indicator of potential Oscar contenders, the Gotham Awards set the tone for recognizing innovative, boundary-pushing work, and this year, women were front and center. 

One of the night’s standout victories came from Wunmi Mosaku, who earned Outstanding Supporting Performance for her riveting portrayal of Annie in Ryan Coogler’s Sinners. Her performance anchored the film’s emotional depth and further cemented her reputation as one of the most compelling performers working today.

Women also dominated the evening’s prestigious Tribute categories. Julia Roberts received the Visionary Tribute, celebrated alongside director Luca Guadagnino for their work on After the Hunt. Kate Hudson was honored with the inaugural Gotham Musical Tribute, an acknowledgment of her dynamic performance in Song Sung Blue, shared with co-star Hugh Jackman. Tessa Thompson, who continues to shape modern cinema through bold, nuanced roles, was awarded the Spotlight Tribute for her commanding lead performance in Hedda. In addition, the full ensemble of Sinners, including powerhouse women like Mosaku and Teyana Taylor were recognized with the Ensemble Tribute, highlighting the collective strength behind one of the year’s most talked-about films.

Even beyond the winners’ circle, women were prominently represented across the Gotham Awards’ gender-neutral categories. Jessie Buckley, Rose Byrne, Jennifer Lawrence, Amanda Seyfried, and Tessa Thompson all earned nominations for Outstanding Lead Performance, reflecting the depth and range of women-led storytelling this year. Female directors were equally visible, with Mary Bronstein and Kelly Reichardt nominated for Best Director, while emerging directors Constance Tsang and Sarah Friedland received recognition in the Breakthrough Director category. Documentary filmmaker Julia Loktev also made an impact, directing and producing the winning film My Undesirable Friends: Part I — Last Air in Moscow.

Across categories and genres, the 2025 Gotham Awards reaffirmed the power and influence of women in filmmaking, both in front of and behind the camera, celebrating a year where female creativity, innovation and performance drove some of the most compelling stories in cinema.