I'm so glad I am a part of this generation where women have such important part in society. I love seeing how far we have come and seeing more and more influential and powerful women break stereotypes and make history. I love knowing I can do anything and be whatever I set my mind to, and so can women everywhere. It excites me for the future. Hopefully, this inspires you to share with someone you believe can make a difference, or who has made a difference. Let's spread some positivity and realize who we can become!
1. Oprah Winfrey
Oprah is the first African-American women to rise from poverty and become a billionaire. She uses book recommendations, philanthropy events, human rights, and political activity to influence women around the world.
2. Helen Keller
Despite being deaf and blind, she learned to read and write and was the first deaf blind person to receive a bachelor's degree. Her force of personality impressed others as she campaigned on issues of social welfare, women's suffrage, and disability rights.
3. Sonia Gandhi
She serves as President of the Indian National Congress and leader of the United Progressive Alliance. She has one of the highest offices in the world's second most populous democratic nation.
4. Rosa Parks
Instead of allowing herself and her people to be discriminated against, one day in 1955, she took a stand and refused to give up her seat for a white passenger; this sparked the boycotting of buses in Alabama.
5. Indra Nooyi
As CEO of the world's 4th largest food and beverage company, PepsiCo, she has earned her a spot on this list. She was also instrumental in the founding of Yum! Brands, which now operates Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut, Long John Silver's and A&W restaurants.
6. Catherine the Great
Born as a German, she married into the Russian Royal family at a time where women were not involved in the public life. She became on of the most influential monarchs Russia has ever seen by improving the conditions of the serf population.
7. Christiane Amanpour
She is one of the most influential international correspondents, due to her willingness to report in dangerous war-torn situations. She got her "big break" during the Gulf War as one of CNN's most recognized correspondents.
8. Marie Curie
Despite living in a time where women were rarely educated, her scientific discoveries enabled the development of the X Ray and modern radiation. She was one of few people to receive a Nobel Prize for both medicine and physics.
9. Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner
She is Argentina's first elected female President. She presided over the second-largest country in South America. She serves as an example to women that they can lead a nation through hard times and political turmoil, as well as economic growth and sensitive diplomatic relations.
10. J.K. Rowling
Rowling became the world's best selling children's author, despite managing as a single mother. Her manuscript for Harry Potter was rejected by many publishers before she signed a publishing deal.
