The 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards was the highlight of last week which premiered on January 7. The show brought out the problematic issues that pursued over the previous year, including the controversial topic on sexual abuse. The pinnacle of the show had been Oprah Winfrey accepting the Cecil B. Demille award for her outstanding career and being the first African American woman to receive the honor. Her speech became the most noteworthy topic in the receding days of that night.

As Winfrey accepted this lifetime achievement award, she goes on to thank the people that she had been fortunate enough to work with that have aided her up to this point, and recalling the time she saw Sidney Poitier become the first African American to receive the same award as best actor in Lilies of the Field.

Winfrey also considered the impact she is making on all girls around the world in the same way that Sidney Poitier did for her, and the importance of female empowerment to stand up against injustice and never have to say “Me Too” again.

Ashley Ramos, 11, sees the encouragement of women to not only be supported by just women.

“Women empowerment for me means for women and men to be able to stand on the same stage,” Ramos said, “And women not to be looked down upon because of who they are.”

Leslie Lira, also an eleventh grader, believes empowerment must be influential and distribute equality among women across all fields.

“ Female empowerment to me sounds like a group of women being powerful influences to the younger people so that we can raise equality for all females.” Lira said. “Oprah mentioned the beginning of the empowerment movement was when Rosa Parks sat on the bus, and that was very key because after that the females started to grow, get an education, etc.”

Winfrey also accentuated in her speech the importance of people standing for the truth. She talks about the appreciation of the press so people would not “turn a blind eye against corruption”, and tells the story of Recy Taylor, a woman who had been sexually assaulted and never received justice because the men were never persecuted for the act.

“I feel like women shouldn’t be afraid anymore and should be able to stand on their own,” Lira stated, “being strong and sharing their stories so that people can grow from that and learn, and they will no longer have to suffer like women did in the past.”

Lizbeth Quinonez, 11, notes that encouraging women to stand up is a key factor in assuring that woman feel safe.

“Showing them [women] that we’re not going to judge you for anything, we’re not going to blame you.” Quinonez said. “You know, just kind of encourage them that it’s ok, you’re safe, and they’ll finally have that voice.”

“More women are able to speak out in other decades because more females have been taking charge throughout history, like Rosa Parks.” Ramos said. “They’re doing little changes, and then other women want to join them and then they’ll want to make a better change for women. I see it as you do one thing and then people follow you and do more in history.”

Several Hollywood actresses, such as Meryl Streep, Traci Ross and Eva Longoria are some of the many advocates in the new  #MeToo movement. They hope to raise awareness in the social, economic and political injustices that women tackle across many fields and throughout everyday life.

Although Winfrey’s speech focused on female empowerment and seeking the value in the truth, it was not just addressed towards women and girls. It also spoke to the men who are just as important in speaking on such a matter. Their voices are just as essential as women in letting the world know their compliance to change and equality. Until this movement has proved their point and made a global impact, their voices will not stand in silence.