Counting down the final hours of the workweek is a Friday afternoon tradition. And today, you have extra incentive to watch the clock — TEDxWomen kicks off at 6pm in Washington, DC. While one session of the event — “Poverty and Plenty,” hosted by Pat Mitchell of The Paley Center for Media — is taking place tonight, five more sessions of talks will be held tomorrow, December 1, from 8:30am to 8pm. Head to the livestream page to watch TEDxWomen in progress >>

At the same time, more than 150 TEDx events across the globe will webcast the conference, as part of their own unique programs examining the state of women in the world today. Find out where, and when, TEDxWomen events are taking place this weekend >>

To get you in the TEDxWomen spirit, enjoy these seven talks from women innovating all aspects of the way we live — from what we eat, to how we learn, to how we receive healthcare.

Barbara Bush at TEDxBrooklyn
Young people can make an extraordinary impact on the global health crisis. Through the story of an anti-HIV campaign in Malawi, Barbara Bush demonstrates the power that motivated volunteers can have when it comes to solving problems of health equity.

Y el cambio comienza en nuestros niños: Patricia Velásquez at TEDxTepuy
Patricia Velásquez started a school in one of Venezuela’s toughest areas because she believed that the future of every child should be protected and supported. At TEDxTepuy, she calls on all of us to find our own personal cause to fight for. (In Spanish with English subtitles.)

Using innovation in human rights: Mallika Dutt at TEDxGateway
Mallika Dutt fights for human rights not just by advocating for institutional change, but by appealing for societal change as well. At TEDxGateway, she shares clips from her popular films that address issues from violence against women to HIV/AIDS — and that place the responsibility for creating a culture of dignity on every individual.

Soap saves: Renée Botta at TEDxDU-TEDxChange
Despite massive foreign aid, lack of water, food, hygiene, and basic services still persists in the developing world. Through the story of a young African woman who began manufacturing and selling liquid soap in her hometown, Renee Botta explains how the challenges of these communities might be solved through creating self-sustained economies.

En este mundo: Magdalena Goyheneix at TEDxRíodelaPlata-TEDxChange
Instead of being overwhelmed by the devastation wrought by illness in Nigeria, Magdalena Goyheneix found hope. Putting a human face on the shocking health statistics, she reminds us that each life is worth saving. (In Spanish with English subtitles.)

The aftermath of Occupy: Naomi Colvin at TEDxHousesofParliament
Last year, the Occupy Wall Street movement spread like wildfire across the globe. It sparked countless protests and its “We are the 99%” slogan has been canonized into the progressive lexicon. Just as quickly as it gained champions, however, it found critics who dismiss the campaign for its inability to articulate specific demands. Naomi Colvin thinks they miss the point entirely; that the protests were not about rushing into specific negotiations based on conventional principles, but about disrupting the way we reform altogether. In this reflective talk, she lays out a new vision of political identity.

Eat less meat, more bugs: Florence Dunkel at TEDxBozeman
Insects are high in protein and — if prepared well — delicious. According to Florence Dunkel, their low-cost, ecological production could create a stable future with food security.

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Want to hear from more amazing women making big change in the world? Check out this playlist of TEDxTalks from women in science, as well as links to 75 TED Talks from women in science and tech.

This post was written by the TEDx Team.