Top 10 Most Influential Female Leaders

When people think of influential figures in the world, male names like Bill Gates, Vladamir Putin and of course President Barack Obama usually come to mind. But the world of influence and power no longer belongs exclusively to men. Women now hold their place of power firmly in the world, and they are not giving it up any time soon. This list of ten of the most influential women in the America spans the arenas of politics, acting, sports, law, music, activism and more with all the names having one thing in common, they are instantly recognizable. These fierce, independent and incredibly influential female leaders are paving the way for young girls everywhere, showing that anyone, anywhere can fulfill her highest dreams.

1. Hillary Clinton

There was a time, shortly before current president Barack Obama took the political world by surprise that nearly half the nation would have bet the bank that the United States was about to usher in the first female president. It seemed almost inevitable. Mrs. Clinton has already made her mark as one of the most influential first ladies of our time along side Jackie Kennedy and Nancy Regan, and as a powerful senator and Secretary of State, but it appears that she may be gearing up for yet another presidential bid for the 2016 election, and many Democratic leaders are shifting into gear to pave the way for her run.

2. Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey overcame her harsh childhood as a victim of sexual abuse in a small farming community to become one of the most recognizable women in the world. She is an iconic image. Media giant does not begin to describe the scope and reach of her career. Her humble beginnings as the host of a small television talk show lead to her ultimate trouncing of Phil Donahue\’s ratings with her show A.M. Chicago. After she won an Academy Award for her heart-wrenching role in The Color Purple there was no stopping her. She now has an estimated net-worth of $2.9 billion dollars.

3. Christiane Amanpour

Journalist Christiane Amanpour has become one of the most trusted faces in the news to date. She has won nine Emmy Awards and a Peabody among many other honors and is now CNN\’s chief international correspondent. Her coverage of the Bosnian crisis, followed by the first war in Iraq brought her international recognition early in her career and she has showed no signs of slowing or holding back since, moving on to cover some of the most dangerous conflicts in the world.

4. Sandra Bullock

It takes a lot of moxie to move past a flick like Demolition Man, with incomprehensible quotes like “now all restaurants are Taco Bell,” to become an Oscar winning actress and one of Hollywood\’s foremost leaders. Bullock\’s role in The Blind Side showed the world that she was more than just a box-office draw. With her most recent role in the critically acclaimed and commercially successful hit Gravity, some think she just may be becoming one of the most bankable names in Hollywood.

5. Madonna

For those who knew of Madonna in her earliest days, it was hard to imagine that the punky bubble-pop princess would ever become the influential music mega-icon that she is today. Yet as her career progressed, her edgy style pressed preconceived notions about gender and sexuality in ways that they have never been challenged before. Three decades later, this Material Girl can have just about anything she wants with an estimated net-worth of $500 million, and she\’s still touring.

6. Gloria Allred

When asked who the most influential female leaders in law are there is one name that tops nearly everyone\’s list. The mere mention of civil rights lawyer Gloria Allred brings fear and trepidation to discriminators everywhere. Her pioneering work on behalf of minorities and females has won her countless honors and brought perpetrators of discrimination to justice time and time again.

7. Angelina Jolie

When most think of Angelina Jolie they think of her acting career, but when Jolie shot Laura Croft: Tomb Raider in Cambodia in 2001, her life changed. Jolie became acutely aware of the humanitarian crisis taking place throughout the world and moved on to become a leading activist on behalf of refugees. Since then, she has traveled the world to raise awareness and pushed for legislation to aid the displaced and homeless victims of political unrest.

8. Ruth Messinger

There are so few powerful female religious leaders in the western world that the lack has sparked many papers in and of itself. However, one name does come to many minds. New York Times bestselling author Reverend Joyce Meyer has authored over 80 books that have been translated and distributed throughout the world. Her practical approach to Biblical teaching has inspired millions to find hope through Jesus Christ.

9. Jackie Joyner-Kersee

In-arguably one of the greatest Olympic athletes in history, Jackie Joyner-Kersee exploded into women\’s\’ sports with legendary courage and grace to win hearts the world over. Joyner-Kersee excelled in heptathlon and long-jump competitions despite having severe childhood asthma and went on to win three gold, one silver and two bronze Olympic medals. In a way, her brilliant athleticism ushered in a new golden age for women athletes everywhere and sparked hopes in the minds of young girls who dreamed of being the greatest runner in the world, or Nascar driver, or tennis player. Most importantly, she showed women everywhere that adversity is nothing more than a stepping stone.

10. Maya Angelou

Author Maya Angelou\’s poetry and prose truly brought the African American perspective to the forefront of America\’s psyche. Her words have inspired generations and will continue inspire many generations to come. One of her most famous is \”I\’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.\” She, like all of the influential female leaders on this list, has definitely left the world feeling inspired.

ARTICLE: http://loucrativebusiness.com/top-10-influential-female-leaders/ Lou Harty is truly a “21st Century” Educator! She is a successful entrepreneur, Internet Marketer, and regular contributor to a number of online and offline investment publications and blogs. She is a successful speaker and renowned for her hands-on education techniques across a wide variety of investment strategies. Lou attributes her passion, drive and discipline to her 20 Year career in the Australian Army training soldiers. ARTICLE:

ARTICLE: http://loucrativebusiness.com/top-10-influential-female-leaders/ Lou Harty is truly a “21st Century” Educator! She is a successful entrepreneur, Internet Marketer, and regular contributor to a number of online and offline investment publications and blogs. She is a successful speaker and renowned for her hands-on education techniques across a wide variety of investment strategies. Lou attributes her passion, drive and discipline to her 20 Year career in the Australian Army training soldiers. ARTICLE:

Author Bio: ARTICLE: http://loucrativebusiness.com/top-10-influential-female-leaders/ Lou Harty is truly a “21st Century” Educator! She is a successful entrepreneur, Internet Marketer, and regular contributor to a number of online and offline investment publications and blogs. She is a successful speaker and renowned for her hands-on education techniques across a wide variety of investment strategies. Lou attributes her passion, drive and discipline to her 20 Year career in the Australian Army training soldiers. ARTICLE:

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