Portuguese writer and journalist Maria Teresa Horta, 87, was listed by the British public broadcaster BBC, as one of the “100 most influential and inspiring women in the world.”

A prominent feminist and award-winning author, the honoree list includes distinguished artists, activists, lawyers and scientists.

The recognition, which underlines her lifelong dedication to literature, culture, and gender equality, honors her legacy as an advocate for women’s resilience and rights and places her among global changemakers who continue to inspire women in the face of challenges.

Horta co-authored the groundbreaking book New Portuguese Letters (Novas Cartas Portuguesas) with Maria Isabel Barreno and Maria Velho da Costa, which criticized the oppression of women during Portugal’s Estado Novo dictatorship (1933-1974).

Upon its release in 1972, the book, which was censored and banned, became a symbol of resistance, sparking international attention, protests, and support from figures like Simone de Beauvoir, Marguerite Duras, and Doris Lessing.

The groundbreaking book defied the censorship of the Estado Novo dictatorship, boldly addressing women’s oppression and sparking an international feminist movement. 

A trial against the authors dubbed the “Three Marias,” gained worldwide media coverage and became the first international feminist cause voted on by the National Organization for Women (NOW).

The case became one of the symbols of the movement leading to the dictatorship’s fall in the 1974 Carnation Revolution.

Among the honoree listed are Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nadia Murad, rape survivor and human rights advocate Gisela Pelicot, actress Sharon Stone, Olympian athletes Rebecca Andrade, Allyson Felix, singer Rae, visual artist Tracey Emin, environmental activist Adenike Oladosu, and writer Cristina Rivera Garza.

Maria Teresa Horta, born on May 20, 1937, in Lisbon, Portugal, is internationally acknowledged for her prolific literary work spanning poetry, novels, essays, and short stories, published in the United States, Brazil, France, and Italy. Her writing delves deeply into themes of female identity, sexuality, and resistance against patriarchal systems, establishing her as a trailblazer in feminist literature. She has received numerous accolades and awards, including the Medal of Cultural Merit from the Portuguese Ministry of Culture in 2020 and the Grand Officer of the Order of Liberty in 2022.

Follow  Maria Teresa Horta on Facebook.

PAJ/Staff

The complete honoree list includes:

1. Naomi Watanabe – Japan, Comedian

2. Gorlain M. Joseph – USA, Immigrant Rights Advocate

3. Frida Marcia Kurnia – Indonesia, Heavy Metal Musician

4. Naomi Chanda – Zambia, Farmer and Trainer

5. Linda Drofn Gunnarsdottir – Iceland, Women’s Shelter Manager

6. Christina Asse – Lebanon, Photojournalist

7. Margarita Barrientos – Argentina, Social Activist

8. Nadia Murad – Iraq, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate

9. Noor Imam – Egypt, Femtech Entrepreneur

10. Anat Hoffman – Israel, Religious Leader

11. Sunita Williams – USA, Astronaut

12. Zinelsynzat Turgunbaiova – Kyrgyzstan, Museum Manager

13. Lyailia Tchenishova – Russia, Former Prisoner and Political Activist

14. Katherine Martinez – Venezuela, Human Rights Lawyer

15. Xuan Fang – Vietnam, Filmmaker, Author, Gallery Owner

16. Hala Alkrib – Sudan, Activist Against Sexual Violence in Conflict

17. Gabriela Salas Cabrera – Mexico, Programmer and Data Scientist

18. Vinesh Phogat – India, Wrestler

19. Kim Yeji – South Korea, Olympic Shooter

20. Georgina Long – Australia, Medical Oncologist

21. Rosa Vázquez Espinoza – Peru, Biochemist

22. Roxie Murray – Advocate for the rights of disabled people

23. Silvana Santos – Brazil, Geneticist

24. Pooja Sharma – Advocate for dignity and respect for all

25. Inna Modja – Environmental activist and musician

26. Snehya Revanur – Founder of global movement for safe AI

27. Johanna Bahamon – Social activist in Colombia

28. Nijla Ashk – Leader in the fight against deforestation in Turkey

29. Sharon Stone – Hollywood actress and humanitarian

30. Sasha Luconi – AI scientist from Canada

31. Lesley Lokko – Architect (Ghana/UK)

32. Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera – Diversity and Inclusion Activist (Uganda)

33. Yumi Suzuki – Plaintiff in Forced Sterilization Case (Japan)

34. Jemima Chelimo – Long-Distance Runner (Kenya/Romania)

35. Ann Chomaphorn (Wodao) – LGBTQ+ Rights Activist (Thailand)

36. Leticia McCruden – Irish Traveller Movement Activist (Ireland)

37. Safaa Ali Mohamed Youssef – Maternity Expert (Sudan)

38. Jezelle Pelicot – Rape Survivor and Human Rights Activist (France)

39. Tracy Otto – Archer (United States)

40. Mahrang Baloch – Doctor and Political Activist (Pakistan)

41. Noella Vialla Nwade – African Pop Musician (Ghana)

42. Adienike Tetlop Oladosu – Environmental Justice Advocate (Nigeria)

43. Edania Del Rio – Fashion Entrepreneur (Cuba)

44. Maria Teresa Horta – Poet (Portugal)

45. Chloé Zhao – Film Director (United Kingdom)

46. Su Min – Traveler and Influencer (China)

47. Ray – Singer (United Kingdom)

48. Lurdes Barreto – Sex Workers’ Rights Advocate (Brazil)

49. Kemi Badenoch – Leader of the Conservative Party (United Kingdom)

50. Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum – Rabbi (USA)

51. Zakia Khodadadi – Taekwondo Athlete (Afghanistan)

52. Katalin Karikó – Nobel Laureate Biochemist (Hungary)

53. Helen Molyneux – Co-Founder, Monumental Welsh Women (United Kingdom)

54. Olga Rodniova – Founder of Superhuman Center (Ukraine)

55. Hamida Aman – Media and Education Entrepreneur (Afghanistan)

56. Brigitte Baptiste – Environmental Expert (Colombia)

57. Aruna Roy – Social Activist (India)

58. Huang Ji – Advocate for Gender Equality (Taiwan)

59. Rukta Akhter Bano – Founder of Rukta Akhter Bano Learning Disability School (Bangladesh)

60. Ruth Lopez – Chief Legal Officer of Cristosal (El Salvador)

61. Hana Roheti Mepi Clarke – Youngest Māori Woman Elected to New Zealand Parliament (New Zealand)

62. Medicine Tolen – Talk Show Host and Model

63. Feng Yuan – Founder of Equality Beijing (China)

64. Angela Rayner – Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (United Kingdom)

65. Rosemary Widler Walti – Co-president of Senior Women for Climate Protection (Switzerland)

66. Olivia McVeigh – Alopecia Advocate (United Kingdom)

67. Shelshila Acharya – Founder of Uni Ventures (Nepal)

68. Rebeca Andrade – Gymnast (Brazil)

69. Hend Sabri – Actress (Tunisia)

70. Hinda Abdi Mohamed – Chief Editor of Blan (Somalia)

71. Dilruba Yeldosheva – Entrepreneur (Uzbekistan)

72. Hadiqa Kiani – Musician and Humanitarian (Pakistan)

73. Tracey Emin – Artist (United Kingdom)

74. Ela Serwer – Singer (Afghanistan)

75. Svetlana Anokhina – Human Rights Activist (Russia)

76. Zheng (Tania) Zheng – Table Tennis Player (Chile)

77. Mahider Helisilasie – Photographer (Ethiopia)

78. Gaby Moreno – Musician (Guatemala)

79. Allyson Felix – Track and Field Athlete (USA)

80. Sara Birkai – Science Kit Designer (UK/Eritrea)

81. Chloé Zhao – United Kingdom – Film Director

82. Elaha Soroor – Afghanistan – Singer and Musician

83. Allyson Felix – United States – Track and Field Athlete

84. Naomi Watanabe – Japan – Comedian

85. Inna Modja – Mali – Artist and Environmental Activist

86. Gaby Moreno – Guatemala – Musician

87. Sharon Stone – United States – Actress

88. Zakya Khodadadi – Afghanistan – Taekwondo Athlete

89. Vinesh Phogat – India – Wrestler

90. Tracy Otto – United States – Archer

91. John Chelimo – Kenya/Romania – Long-Distance Runner

92. Rebecca Andrade – Brazil – Gymnast

93. Noella Viiala Novadi – Ghana – African Pop Musician

94. Megan Rapinoe – United States – Soccer Player

95. Kirsty Balfour – United Kingdom – Swimmer

96. Olivia McVeigh

97. Dilvorom Yuldoshiva

98. Zenilsenszat Turgunbaiyeva

99. Hinda Abdi Mohamed

100. Rebecca Andrade– Brazil– Gymnast