It’s International Day of the Girl! At Be My Nounou, we think that all girls (and boys, too) should know they have the ability to do awesome things.

To celebrate this great day of girl power, here are 8 girls who inspire us for being courageous, creative and all-around brilliant. Who are your most inspiring female role models? Let us know in the comments!

#InGirlsWeTrust

1. Malala Yousafzai

Not many people win the Nobel Peace Prize, and even fewer win it at 17! Being a human and women’s rights activist against the local Taliban regime, her attempted murder and miraculous survival made her a worldwide figure. Going on to create her own non-profit foundation and write a memoir, the UN named 12 July ‘Malala Day’ and in 2014 she won the Nobel Peace Prize. If there’s a model for standing up for what you believe in, it’s Malala!

2. Misty Copeland

Ever dreamed of being a ballerina? Take a lesson from Misty Copeland. The first black woman to be principal dancer in the history of the American Ballet Theatre, she changed the art for good. Her body shape was thought too muscular and athletic for ballet, and she struggled with body issues during several years. Overcoming an industry that didn’t believe she could fit in, Misty Copeland is a world-class example of pursuing your dreams in the face of doubt!

3. Anne Frank

The girl that defied the Nazi occupation with a pen and paper, Anne Frank is the most famous girl in recent history. Documenting her life whilst in hiding between 1942 and 1944, The Diary of a Young Girl has been translated into 60 languages. A huge memento for individual bravery which has become one of the most important books of all time.

4. Mary Shelley

Another literary genius, Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein at 18. Although, the world didn’t think so at first… Originally published anonymously in 1818, it wasn’t until 1823 that she was named the author. While many think Frankenstein is a Gothic Romantic novel, it is also has some of literature’s first elements of Science Fiction! So, whoever tells you that Star Wars isn’t for girls…tell them about Mary Shelley!

5. Natalie Portman

Starring in her first film aged 12, Natalie Portman is not only an Oscar-winning actress but also a philanthropist and anti-poverty spokesperson. She has campaigned for children’s rights to education and has spoken out against Harvard University for its collaboration with gas, coal and oil companies. A founder of #TimesUp, part of the #MeToo movement, Natalie proves that we should speak up more, even when it’s hardest.

6. Philippine Dolbeau

Is this is perfect child? At 16-years-old, Philippine Dolbeau created an app that let’s parents know that their children are safely at school. After getting trapped in a school bus for a whole day, she had the idea to digitalise the traditional telephone book. Named The Most Innovative Person of the Year 2017, her NewSchool app allows teachers to see which students are in class, at the click of a button. A+ for parental peace of mind!

7. Natalie Hampton

Another teenage entrepreneur, Los Angeles high school student Natalie Hampton took her painful experiences of bullying and created an app which fights exclusion in schools. Sit With Us, a spin on a line from the film Mean Girls, allows students to anonymously join ‘open lunches’, creating a more positive environment for children who feel isolated. Everyone knows how scary teenagers can be, Sit With Us is definitely a step for schools of the future!

8. Millie Bobby Brown

Stranger Things fan? Then Millie won’t be a stranger to you! After winning an Emmy for her role as Eleven at 13, she is the youngest person ever to feature on TIME’s Most Influential People list. She’s a current campaigner for March For Our Lives, started by survivors of the Parkland school shooting, and has spoken out against her Twitter bullies at award shows. Millie might play a supernatural-being on TV but she’s destined for equally awesome things in real life.