When, in 2019, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex , joined British Vogue ’s editor-in-chief Edward Enninful to create an historic September issue, the pair had a clear agenda: to feature women who were shifting the dial, who were having a positive impact on the world. The result? A record-breaking issue entitled Forces for Change , which saw 15 stars – from Jane Fonda and Salma Hayek Pinault to Greta Thunberg and Laverne Cox – grace the cover. This, though, proved to be merely the beginning of an initiative that has now spanned five years and seen British Vogue partner with the likes of BMW, Nike, YouTube and eBay to shine “a light on people who are changing the world and who devote their lives to others”, as Enninful puts it.
“It was about creating a movement, not simply a moment,” says Enninful, now editorial advisor for British Vogue , and the magazine’s global creative and cultural advisor. “We have profiled countless activists, pioneers and change-makers and it is crucial that we keep this going – that we keep the spotlight firmly on those challenging the status quo, and use their voices to help shape the conversations around the most urgent issues of our time.” So, to mark this anniversary, we have invited September 2019’s cover stars – our original Forces for Change – to nominate their champions for 2024 and beyond.
Who is that person for Enninful? “Yasmin Finney,” he says. “A remarkable woman who is fearless and boundary-breaking in her missio.