Today, we will show you 5 impressive TED Talks by 5 different women. 

Although “TED” stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design, these inspiring women are not limited by only these three categories. They talk about the topics that touch all parts of our lives.

Regardless of where you live, many of us have similar experiences.  Some things make us laugh and some things make us cry. Although an experience may make you feel lonely or isolated, it’s likely that women from all around the world also feel the same way. Watching these presentations helps us realize that we share similar ups and downs. They help give perspective on subjects that we can relate to from our own personal experience or those that never even occurred to us. Each of these talks is different but it’s certain that you will connect to at least one of these stories. 

1. Ashley Graham – “Plus-size? More like my size” / TEDxBerkleeValencia

Ashley Graham is a body activist, model and television presenter. She began her modeling career at an early age and rose to success, posing for the covers of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle and Glamour. In her talk, she shares her experiences and insights in the fashion industry. Graham defends body confidence in women and is a strong advocate of the “real beauty” movement. 

Due to the influence of popular culture, a certain body type comes to mind when we hear the word “model”. However Graham is breaking this stereotype. 

During her TED Talk, she speaks about how society has created restrictive stereotypes and unrealistic expectations. She prefers the term curvy over plus-sized. She believes that people should love their bodies without getting stuck in numbers. She redefines the definition of beauty. For her, there is no one perfect body and everybody is wonderfully unique.

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2.  Esther Perel - Rethinking Infidelity ... a Talk for Anyone Who Has Ever Loved" / Ted 2015

Esther Perel is a psychotherapist, author and speaker. Her main focus is relationship therapy. We’ve all experienced bad relationships or relationships with bad parts [I know I sure have!], but before you make an appointment with Esther, please keep in mind that she lives in New York ;) 

In this talk, Perel shows that imagined infidelity can be just as powerful as the actual betrayal. She cites French novelist Marcel Proust, ""It's our imagination that is responsible for love, not the other person."" Infidelity has always given pain to the betrayed party. According to Proust, it threatens our sense of self and today, choosing to stay when you can leave is the new shame. However, Perel looks to infidelity from a dual perspective, hurt and betrayal on one side, growth and self-discovery on the other.

To know a little more on the subject you can see her first TED Talk in 2013, entitled "The Secret to Desire in a Long-Term Relationship". Perel also has a podcast called "Where Should We Begin?"

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3.  Sheryl Sandberg - "Why We Have too Few Women Leaders" / TEDWomen 2010

Sheryl Sandberg is a technology executive and the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Facebook. In 2012, Sandberg has become the first woman on Facebook’s board of directors. She is also the founder of LeanIn.Org, a nonprofit organization offering women the inspiration and support necessary to achieve their goals. 

In her talk, Sandberg draws attention to an important point in society, “Why do we have too few women leaders?” She shows that success and likeability are positively correlated for men and negatively correlated for women. There is a big gap between societal views on men and women in professional life. As a woman, you may not even be aware of the figurative glass ceiling hovering above your head. Sanberg gives an in-depth look at this issue and a shrewd look at gender differences. 

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4. Shonda Rhimes - "My Year of Saying Yes to Everything" / TED 2016

Shonda Rhimes is a television and film writer, producer, and director. She is the writer and creator of many well-known programs such as Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder. If you are a fan of any of these shows, then this talk is for you.

Rhimes was responsible for bringing about 70 hours of programming to the world; 4 television programs, 70 hours of broadcast, and 3 TV shows in production at a time, worth millions of dollars. But! With great power comes great responsibility. Each show means hundreds of unforeseen responsibilities and challenges. Luckily, Rhimes is a workaholic and someone who loves her job, but she forced herself to get out of her comfort zone. She rightly says, “Play is the opposite of work” and she succeeds at both. Shonda Rhimes sets a good example for us all.

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5. Amy Cuddy - "Your Body Language May Shape Who You are" TEDGlobal 2012

Amy Cuddy is a social psychologist, author and lecturer. She is known for her research in the fields of body language, body positions, nonverbal behavior and power posing. Her TED Talk “Your body language may shape who you are,'' has been included in Guardian’s coveted list “One of 20 Online Talks that Could Change Your Life”.

As an expert on nonverbal expressions of power and dominance, her presentation makes you aware of your body language. She shows that nonverbal behaviors are universal and more powerful than we expect. When we feel powerful, we make our bodies bigger and conversely, we do the opposite when we feel powerless. Cuddy also mentions that our nonverbal acts influence how other people think and feel about us. That’s pretty much common knowledge, but did you also realize that your body language affects your ideas about yourself? Do our bodies change our minds? Listening to her, you will be amazed at how your nonverbals affect your own beliefs about yourself.

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