These women often have to work, twice maybe four times as hard to get where they are.
Oprah Winfrey
Famously, Oprah Winfrey was told that she was “unfit for television”. Mind you, the person who told her probably stayed away from predicting anything else. Oprah’s power and influence can hardly be understated. From millions of women around the world running home to catch her show, to campaigning for Barack Obama, Oprah’s rise to fame and power is fully deserved. Oh— and between building schools for girls and displaying some serious acting skills— she also has her own book club. Is there anything Oprah can’t do?
Ursula Burns
In between running several high profile tech companies and raising a family, Ursula Burns also led the Obama Administration’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education Coalition. For Ursula Burns, the list of achievements is endless. “The world is full of opportunities – every day there’s something new that you can do,” she says – and she’s definitely taken every single one that’s come her way.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
When you sit on the Boards of Standard Chartered Bank, Twitter, Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, and the African Risk Capacity(and Gordon Brown backs you to be the next head of the World Trade Organisation), you’ve got some serious power. Ngozi is a Nigerian economist and international development expert who’s worked on some of the world’s biggest projects and issues. Hard Work, grace and ridiculous humility make her one of the world’s most powerful women.
Michelle Obama
Seriously, would this list be completed without Michelle Obama? From her career as a lawyer to her role as the first lady, she’s gained some serious power and influence; her degrees from Princeton and Harvard surely count too. If you’re feeling a little jealous by her endless abilities, don’t worry – we are too.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, ” Africa’s Iron Lady”
She may not be the President of Liberia anymore, but with a Nobel Peace Prize and a career as an economist in some of the world’s largest financial institutions, including the World Bank, she still has some serious influence. What makes Ellen Johnson Sirleaf even more impressive is that after 12 years in exile, she still pursued her dreams to become the first female African leader – if that isn’t girl power, we don’t know what is.
Folorunsho Alakija
When you’re a billionaire, and your influence spans the fashion, oil, real estate and printing industries, you’ve got some serious serious power. Folorunsho Alakija’s achievements are all the more impressive because the industries in which she made her wealth are male-dominated, especially in Nigeria.
Beyonce Knowles
When you have millions of fans, sell-out concerts in minutes, and have 21 Grammys, you’ll definitely have a lot of power. Unlike other celebrities, Beyonce uses her power and influence to raise awareness of key issues such as Women’s Rights and Racism – making her a true global icon.
Cynthia Marshall
“I want to do it for the sisterhood,” said Cynthia Marshall as she became the CEO of NBA’s Dallas Mavericks. In her post, and throughout her career, Cynthia Marshall has worked on diversity initiatives; Black female CEO of an NBA team – is there a better way to lead by example?