The world has seen hundreds of men and women as leaders in various positions. Women have become an important part of the global leadership landscape since they have been given more rights. From politics to media houses and technology, women lead massive teams with dignity and intellect.
Here are the top women as leaders in the world.
Kamala Harris – Vice President, United States
Kamala Harris is an inspiration to all girls and women around the world who are told that they are not enough. She has excelled in every profession she opted for, whether law or politics. Even before becoming the first female vice president of the United States, she held her head high as a senator. Kamala Harris motivates all future young leaders to not give up on their dreams and work hard to achieve them.
“I hope that by being a ‘first,’ I inspire young people to pursue their dreams. The number of times I’ve heard the word ‘no’ — or that something can’t be done — in my life is too many to count. I’m honored to be considered a ‘first,’ but I always think about the people who came before and paved the way for me to get where I am today.” – Kamala Harris.
Radhika Jones – Editor-in-Chief, Vanity Fair
Vanity Fair is known to everyone inclined towards fashion and looking forward to the latest fashion news. However, the magazine shifted the lens from a glamorous perspective to a normal, casual one – thanks to Radhika Jones.
Radhika showed the world that fashion is not all about couture and ball gowns. Since she took over the role of Vanity Fair’s editor-in-chief in 2017, she has focused the magazine towards a more reader-centered approach, showcasing celebrities, like them, in normal clothes.
The magazine now represents people from all types of lifestyles and backgrounds, crushing the orthodox standards of beauty. Radhika has proven that the impact we choose to leave on people makes us leaders to be remembered.
Kathrin Jansen – Head of Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer
Women leaders are not only making their name in politics, journalism, or writing but also in saving the world through research. Kathrin is one of the women who have had the most significant impact behind-the-scenes in the past few years. She led a team of 650 experts to create and test the Covid-19 vaccine when the death toll was rising crazily.
Her accomplishments are not restricted to successfully producing the Coronavirus vaccine but also vaccines against pneumococcus and papillomavirus. She has saved countless lives by being a diligent and credible leader.
Jacinda Ardern – Prime Minister, New Zealand
Whether it was the mass shooting in two mosques in New Zealand in March 2019 or the coronavirus pandemic, Jacinda Ardern showed the world that women can lead the way better than many think. She handled these situations better than a lot of other global leaders, becoming a favorite among citizens globally.
Jacinda was elected the Prime Minister of New Zealand in 2017 as the world’s youngest female head of state. She gave birth to her daughter within a few months of becoming the prime minister and has been maintaining a balance gracefully between her personal and professional life.
Christine Lagarde – President, European Central Bank
If someone mentions that women are not good at banking and accounts, they are surely living under a rock. Who hasn’t heard of Christine Lagarde today? Christine is the president of the European Central Bank, managing huge accounts for influential people around the globe and stabilizing Europe’s financial system. She has been the director of the IMF (International Monetary Fund) before accepting this position.
Christine Lagarde was the first female to be France’s finance minister and was named the second most powerful woman in the world in 2019.
Arianna Huffington – Founder, The Huffington Post
Huffington Post is a name known to everyone who wants to stay updated and read something insightful in the morning. Arianna Huffington is the founder of this successful blog, with over 12 million readers monthly.
Arianna later became the President and Editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post Media Group after AOL acquired the Huffington Post for $315 million. She then started her science-solutions company, “Thrive Global” which helps companies and recruiters inculcate better workplace environments and values. She stays one of the most influential women today with her ability to succeed in everything she steps in.
Sheryl Sandberg – COO, Facebook
While everyone is familiar with Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Facebook, Sheryl is not known to many. Sheryl became the COO of Facebook in 2008 after working with Google as the Vice president of Global Online Sales and Promotions. Sheryl’s entry as the COO changed the fortune of Facebook incredibly, and the company started making a profit. She also increased Facebook’s ad revenue by encouraging small businesses to advertise on the platform.
According to Forbes, Sheryl Sandberg has a net worth of $1.7 billion and was added to the billionaire list in 2014 because of their high stakes in Facebook. Sheryl also had to face the loss of her husband in 2015, yet she stayed strong and determined to stay on the field. She is an example of incredible resilience and motivation for the youth.
Sara Blakely – Founder, Spanx
Sara Blakely is a leader who believes in making money, giving back to the community, and empowering other women.
Sara founded Spanx, one of the most popular shapewear brands retailing in over 50 countries globally. She graduated from Florida University and became a billionaire through hard work and persistence. The entrepreneur leads multiple teams in her business to keep it running smoothly. She has been a judge in Shark Tank, has her class in Masterclass, and has a show in Billions.
Sara Blakely supports female entrepreneurs and advocates for women in arts through her philanthropic organization, the “Sara Blakely Foundation.”
Melinda Gates – Co-chair, Bill, and Melinda Gates Foundation
Melinda Gates is a philanthropist and the co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and received $2.4 billion worth of stocks in May 2021. She, as a philanthropist, works to lift people out of extreme poverty and hunger and improve health. Melinda Gates has shown that you can do everything you want if determined. Her journey is inspirational to everyone looking for a direction.
“If you are successful, it is because somewhere, sometime, someone gave you a life or an idea that started you in the right direction. Remember also that you are indebted to life until you help some less fortunate person, just as you were helped.”
Michelle Obama – Former First Lady
The list of the top women as leaders is incomplete without mentioning Michelle Obama, the former first lady. She is also a social rights advocate, community activist, and lawyer.
She juggles her life as a wife, mother, and social activist. Michelle has always been known for her elegance, decency during speeches, and support towards her husband. She is a role model for young women, especially women of color who think their race and ethnicity might hinder their growth.
Michelle Obama works to support military families and end childhood obesity.
“For me, this issue has always been personal. See, back when I was a girl growing up in a working-class neighborhood, most of the folks I knew — including my parents — didn’t go to college. But with a lot of hard work — and a lot of financial aid — I had the chance to attend some of the finest universities in the country. And I can tell you that education was everything for me. It opened doors. It gave me the confidence to pursue my ambitions and make my voice heard in the world. For me, education was power.”
The Bottom Line
Women are important to global leadership and serve in all sectors, including politics, finance, technology, and media. Top women as leaders like Melinda Gates, Arianna Huffington, and Sara Blakely show how you can achieve what you look forward to. At the same time, women like Michelle Obama and Kamala Harris have proven that you can excel and leave your influence on the world regardless of your color or culture. Moreover, Jacinda Ardern, Radhika Jones, Sheryl Sandberg, Christine Lagarde, Kathrin Jansen, and others like them have made their name owing to years of unmatched hard work.
FAQs
Which female leaders changed the world?
Mother Teresa is known for her philanthropy work, while Marie Curie is a Nobel prize winner who discovered radioactive metals. Besides these two, Katharine Hepburn, Coco Chanel, Florence Nightingale, Margaret Thatcher, have also helped the world revolutionize.
Who are the top 10 female leaders in history?
Joan of Arc (Leader of France), Catherine II (Leader of Russia), Queen Victoria (Leader of England), Eva Perón (Leader of Argentina), Rosa Parks (Leader of United States), Indira Gandhi (Leader of India), Margaret Thatcher (Leader of Britain), and Angela Merkel (Leader of Germany) are the top female leaders in history.
Who are top women leaders in business?
Rosalind Brewer, Tricia Griffith, Michele Buck, Lisa Su, Thasunda Brown Duckett, Asma Ishaq, Erin Loos Cutraro, and Alina Morse are among the top women leaders in business making brands and growing them as good as any man. They inspire millions today to believe in themselves and pave their path.
