Let's hear it for the girls: The best girl power moments of 2016

Marie-Claire Dorking

·Contributor

20 December 2016 at 9:33 am

Lady Gaga urges women to speak up about sexual assault

Ashley Graham becomes the first ‘plus-size’ model to front Sports Illustrated

Indonesian designer Anniesa Hasibuan made history by showcasing first all-hijab catwalk at NYFW

Jennifer Aniston calls out the baby-bump rumour mill

Taylor Swift stuck it to her haters (well, hater)

Katy Perry helped women reclaim the word ‘nasty’

Beyonce changed the music game (again!)

Just when we thought we couldn't love her anymore, Queen Bey went and dropped Lemonade. Described by some as a love letter to black women, the stunning visual album explores some of the complex struggles many black women face all within twelve badass songs. Touching on issues including police brutality and racial tensions, the seemingly autobiographical album also got social media in a spin thanks to it's 'I’m-not-gonna-take-your-cheating' lyrics which sent the rumour mill into overdrive about husband Jay Z's alleged infidelity. But whether or not the music was about her own personal experiences, there's no doubting the album itself was boundary-breaking. Hardly surprising therefore that it went on to receive four Emmy nominations, nine Grammy nominations and a “Best Album of the Year” award from Rolling Stone. [Photo: Getty]

"Who runs the world? Girls!" Beyoncé famously hollered. But while it's not strictly true that the world is entirely ruled by women (wouldn't it be nice though?), it's fair to say the female of the species has delivered some pretty awesome empowerment moments in 2016.

From Hillary Clinton’s history-making presidential run to Team GB kicking butt at the Olympics, celebrities throwing light on important women's issues to Taylor Swift sticking it to the haters, 2016 has to been a pretty killer year for girl power.

So what better way welcome in the New Year than celebrating the fiercest female moments of the old one? Here are the ten girl power moments that broke social media and helped make 2016 rock.

This year’s biggest fashion moments

The definitive guide to 2016's best and worst dressed celebrities

Daily Record
Man with obscene tattoo has 'no regrets' despite police ordering him to cover up
Richard Hart, 60, designed the controversial tattoo himself, which depicts a naked woman spreading her legs from his chest down to his midriff.
11 hours ago
Daily Record
Linda Robson reveals 'intimate' bedroom detail of why marriage of 33 years ended
Loose Women star Linda Robson split from her husband of 33 years, Mark Dunford, late last year and has been very open about the reasons behind their break up
14 hours ago
Birmingham Live
ITV News at Ten pulled from air after Rageh Omaar 'falls ill in disturbing live scenes'
The presenter, 56, needed medical care following the live broadcast
17 hours ago
The Telegraph
BBC removes Laura Kuenssberg episode after complaint over Chris Packham comments
The BBC has removed an edition of Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg from iPlayer following a complaint about comments made by Chris Packham.
a day ago
Daily Record
Meghan Markle savagely slammed for sending Kris Jenner 'garbage' jam with 'wilted' lemons
Meghan Markle has been ridiculed online after Kris Jenner shared a snap of the gift she received from the Duchess of Sussex from her newly launched brand as fans branded the gift basket as "garbage".
a day ago
Wales Online
Europe's worst country for pickpockets is a major tourist destination but it's not Spain
New research has revealed the worst country in Europe for pickpockets - and it's a popular holiday destination for Brits
2 days ago
Liverpool Echo
Amanda Holden's racy Britain's Got Talent dress that broke Ofcom complaints record
The Britain's Got Talent star, 53, has pushed the boundaries many times over the years
11 hours ago
Birmingham Live
Police race to man spotted walking along the M6 who tells them unbelievable story
Officers rushed to reach the man after he was spotted walking dangerously close to traffic
a day ago
Bradford Telegraph and Argus
25 men jailed for 346 years for 'abhorrent' sex offences as big ring busted
Dozens of predators who sexually abused young girls in Kirklees have been jailed for a combined 346 years following a major police investigation.
14 hours ago
OK! Magazine
Kate Middleton 'asked to spell name differently' by Charles and Camilla
The Princess of Wales is known widely by her nickname Kate, but her real name is of course Catherine - and it seems this once caused a clash with her father-in-law King Charles
15 hours ago
Liverpool.com
New Mohamed Salah vs Jürgen Klopp footage appears to show what started argument
Mohamed Salah only exacerbated a torrid day for Liverpool by rowing with Jürgen Klopp before coming on. New footage sheds some more light on the flashpoint.
7 hours ago
The Telegraph
Russia has found the critical vulnerability in Nato’s American tanks
The arrival of the US M1A1 Abrams tanks in Ukraine was hailed as a turning point in the war. Coming in at roughly $10 million a unit, the Nato stalwart was supposed to provide the armoured fist that would punch through the Russian lines. But tactics evolve quickly in warfare, and Russia’s use of surveillance and hunter-killer drones has led to heavy casualties for Ukraine’s tank fleets. This is alarming for NATO. If Russia has found critical vulnerabilities in our armour, our borders are beginni
2 days ago
Birmingham Live
Weather expert reveals when heatwave will hit UK as 'scorching hot temperatures' predicted
Climbing temperatures 'well into the 30s' are expected
a day ago
Nottinghamshire Live
BBC Beyond Paradise Barbara Flynn's life, including famous husband's tragic death
Barbara Flynn has enjoyed a successful acting career, starring in the likes of Doctor Who and The Durrells, but in 2017, she was left heartbroken after the death of her husband, Jeremy Taylor
16 hours ago
Manchester Evening News
Jealous student recruited friends to kidnap woman and drive her to secluded woodland before attacking her
The gang wept in the dock as footage of their horrific crimes was shown in court
5 hours ago
Chronicle Live
Britain's Got Talent fans rumble 'Batman' identity as act wows judges
The Dark Hero - who sang a cover of Wicked's Defying Gravity - impressed the judges and studio audience with his voice and quirky get-up while being suspended above the stage on wires.
4 hours ago
Evening Standard
'If I speak': Mohamed Salah in shock statement about Jurgen Klopp bust-up after Liverpool draw
The Liverpool star has amped up tensions after a heated touchline argument with his manager
8 hours ago
Chronicle Live
Gardeners share unusual method to keep slugs away from plants using bathroom cupboard staple
One gardener shared the hack to deter slugs and snails from plant pots, with others saying the method 'works every year' for them
2 days ago
Manchester Evening News
Sir Jim Ratcliffe announces major Manchester United 'change' ahead of FA Cup final
Manchester United staff have been left fuming at a decision from INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe ahead of the FA Cup final against Manchester City next month.
2 days ago
Manchester Evening News
Rolling Stones star Bill Wyman's life now as he shares reason for leaving band
The Rolling Stones are set to embark on a 19-date US tour this weekend, but former bassist Bill Wyman says he wouldn't swap places with them for the world
10 hours ago

This M&S dress has got me so many compliments I bought it in another colour

Let's hear it for the girls: The best girl power moments of 2016

Beyonce changed the music game (again!)

Latest stories

Man with obscene tattoo has 'no regrets' despite police ordering him to cover up

Linda Robson reveals 'intimate' bedroom detail of why marriage of 33 years ended

ITV News at Ten pulled from air after Rageh Omaar 'falls ill in disturbing live scenes'

BBC removes Laura Kuenssberg episode after complaint over Chris Packham comments

Meghan Markle savagely slammed for sending Kris Jenner 'garbage' jam with 'wilted' lemons

Europe's worst country for pickpockets is a major tourist destination but it's not Spain

Amanda Holden's racy Britain's Got Talent dress that broke Ofcom complaints record

Police race to man spotted walking along the M6 who tells them unbelievable story

25 men jailed for 346 years for 'abhorrent' sex offences as big ring busted

Kate Middleton 'asked to spell name differently' by Charles and Camilla

New Mohamed Salah vs Jürgen Klopp footage appears to show what started argument

Russia has found the critical vulnerability in Nato’s American tanks

Weather expert reveals when heatwave will hit UK as 'scorching hot temperatures' predicted

BBC Beyond Paradise Barbara Flynn's life, including famous husband's tragic death

Jealous student recruited friends to kidnap woman and drive her to secluded woodland before attacking her

Britain's Got Talent fans rumble 'Batman' identity as act wows judges

'If I speak': Mohamed Salah in shock statement about Jurgen Klopp bust-up after Liverpool draw

Gardeners share unusual method to keep slugs away from plants using bathroom cupboard staple

Sir Jim Ratcliffe announces major Manchester United 'change' ahead of FA Cup final

Rolling Stones star Bill Wyman's life now as he shares reason for leaving band