Maria Ressa, Michelle Obama, and Malala Yousafzai: Powerful Quotes From 10 Female Leaders and Pioneers

Last year, Maria Ressa gave a speech at the TIME 100 gala. In it, she talked about her choice of returning to the Philippines: “I guess the first really big choices were homes. My sister chose New York. This is her home. Me, I had to wait until I was 40 because I couldn’t decide. After living a decade in Jakarta, I chose. I chose Manila, the Philippines, for better or worse.”

Ressa, who has won worldwide acclaim as a pioneering journalist, was recently convicted of cyber libel alongside colleague Rey Santos. Despite this, colleagues and journalists alike continue to fight and voice their support for her and Santos. 

As a journalist, Ressa has shed light on plenty of noteworthy local and international news, bringing the Philippines into the forefront of the global news community. As a Filipino, Ressa has represented the country on the covers of magazines and in various functions worldwide to spark hope and propagate the power of media. She is also a part of this year’s Gen T summit, and has spoken to Tatler audiences via the Gen T Stream held online last 15 May 2020.