For centuries, women lived in the shadow of men. They had no right to education or to vote, and they could not own property or earn their own money. Their role was mostly limited to caring for the family. If a woman dared to create something beyond the home, she often had to hide behind a male pseudonym. The situation began to change in the 19th century, when the ideas of feminism, women’s rights, and gender equality started to grow. Today, in many developed countries, women are largely emancipated. They take an active role in social and political life, build their careers step by step, and influence many industries. In this article, we look at 13 women who left a strong mark on the 21st century.
Anna Wintour – The Ultimate Arbiter
For more than 30 years, Anna Wintour was the editor-in-chief of Vogue, deciding what is fashion and what is not. She transformed the magazine from a simple fashion publication into what many call the “fashion bible.” Since 2020, Wintour has served as Global Chief Content Officer and Artistic Director at Condé Nast, one of the world’s most influential media groups. She was also the first to put a Hollywood star on the cover of Vogue, changing the professional standards of fashion magazines and connecting fashion with pop culture. Wintour introduced another bold idea by mixing haute couture pieces with mass-produced clothing in Vogue photo shoots. Thanks to this approach, fashion became more realistic and accessible. She also turned the Met Gala from a simple fundraising evening into what many call the “Oscars of fashion.” Wintour is known for supporting young talent. She helped launch the careers of designers like Marc Jacobs and Alexander McQueen by giving them financial support and a platform to grow.
Michelle Obama – In Service of the People
Michelle Obama was one of the most popular and influential First Ladies not only in the United States but around the world. Even today, she remains an important voice in politics and social activism. During her time in the White House, she launched several major initiatives. Her main campaign, Let’s Move!, focused on fighting childhood obesity and promoting a healthy lifestyle. She also supported girls’ education through the campaign Let Girls Learn. Obama was also deeply involved in improving the lives of veterans’ families. Her memoir Becoming was published in 2018 in 25 languages at the same time and quickly became a global bestseller, making her one of the highest-paid authors in the world.
Angela Merkel – Germany’s First Female Chancellor
Angela Merkel led Germany for 16 years, from 2005 to 2021, and played a major role in shaping European politics. During the European financial crisis, when Greece and several Southern European countries were close to economic collapse, Merkel’s decisions helped stabilize the situation. She strongly opposed the breakup of the Eurozone and supported financial unity within Europe. Her government also introduced the European Stability Mechanism, a financial safety system designed to protect the euro during future crises. Merkel also made a historic humanitarian decision by opening Germany’s borders to thousands of refugees from conflict zones. While this move brought her international recognition, it also created strong debate inside Germany. After the Fukushima nuclear disaster, Merkel began the gradual shutdown of Germany’s nuclear power plants.
Miuccia Prada – Anti-Fashion and a Global Empire
Miuccia Prada is the creative force behind the fashion house Prada and the founder of its sister brand Miu Miu, launched in 1993. She is considered one of the most intellectual figures in fashion. Prada studied political science at the University of Milan and was also involved in feminist movements during the 1970s. Her aesthetic is often called “anti-fashion.” It challenges traditional ideas of luxury and beauty. When Prada took over the family company in 1978, the brand was struggling. Yet she turned it into a global empire. In the 1980s she introduced the now-iconic Pocono nylon backpack, proving that even simple, practical materials could become luxury items. Her work often mixes classic feminine silhouettes with unexpected, avant-garde details. Through her designs, Prada brought intellectual discussion into fashion, where clothing reflects culture, politics, and social change.
Oprah Winfrey – From Poverty to Media Power
Oprah Winfrey is often seen as a symbol of the American Dream. Despite a difficult childhood marked by poverty and trauma, she became one of the most powerful women in media. Her legendary talk show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, ran for more than 25 years and was broadcast in over 117 countries. Oprah changed the talk-show format. Instead of focusing on scandals, she centered conversations on personal stories, emotional healing, and self-development. This created a strong emotional connection with millions of viewers. Her influence goes far beyond television. Through Oprah’s Book Club, any book she recommended instantly became a bestseller. She also founded the media company Harpo Productions and the television network OWN. Oprah is also known for her philanthropy. She founded the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls to support the education of young women in South Africa.
Sheikha Moza bint Nasser – The Face of Modernization in the Arab World
Sheikha Moza is one of the most influential women in the Arab world. She is the wife of the former emir of Qatar and the mother of the current ruler. She plays an important role in the country’s modernization. She leads major national foundations that support education and science. One of her most important projects is Education City, a campus that hosts branches of leading international universities. She is also a special ambassador for UNESCO and works globally to improve access to education. By appearing in public without the traditional face-covering veil, Sheikha Moza also challenges stereotypes and inspires many women across the Arab world.
Malala Yousafzai – The Voice of Girls’ Rights
Malala Yousafzai is the youngest winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. She received it at just 17 years old for her fight for girls’ education. Malala grew up in Pakistan’s Swat Valley, where the Taliban banned girls from attending school. As a teenager, she began speaking publicly about women’s rights and even wrote an anonymous blog for BBC. In 2012, she was shot by militants because of her activism. After recovering in the United Kingdom, she continued her work and founded the Malala Fund to support girls’ education worldwide. Her memoir, I Am Malala, quickly became an international bestseller. Today, Malala represents the idea that one voice-even a young girl’s- can change the world.
Serena Williams – A Tennis Legend
Serena Williams is widely considered one of the greatest athletes in the history of tennis. Together with her sister Venus Williams, she broke many racial and social barriers in a sport that had long been dominated by white players. Serena won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the record in the Open Era, and four Olympic gold medals in singles and doubles. Beyond sports, Serena is active in fashion and business. In 2018 she launched her brand S by Serena, which focuses on inclusive sizing and celebrating women’s bodies. She has also written books, including her memoir On the Line and the children’s book The Adventures of Qai Qai.
Christine Lagarde – Breaking Barriers in Finance
Christine Lagarde is one of the most influential economic leaders in the world. She became the first woman to lead the European Central Bank, where she oversees the monetary policy of 19 Eurozone countries. Before that, she served as Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund and was also the first female finance minister among the G8 countries when she served in France. Lagarde is known for her pragmatic leadership style and diplomatic approach. She also speaks frequently about climate change and the need for sustainable finance.
Beyoncé – A Pop Culture Icon
In 2003 Beyoncé released her first solo album, Dangerously in Love. It included global hits like Crazy in Love and Baby Boy, which quickly topped the charts. Her success continued for years, but a major turning point came in 2013 when she unexpectedly released the album Beyoncé without any prior promotion. This surprise release changed the way music marketing works. In 2023, after the success of Renaissance, Beyoncé reached a historic milestone with 32 Grammy Awards, becoming the most awarded artist in Grammy history. Her tours, including the Renaissance World Tour, are global cultural events and break major financial records.
J. K. Rowling – The Literary Universe of Harry Potter
British writer J. K. Rowling became famous worldwide as the creator of the Harry Potter series. Rowling’s journey- from a single mother living in poverty to one of the most successful authors in history- became inspirational for millions. The Harry Potter universe expanded into a global franchise of films, games, and theme parks. The books have been translated into more than 80 languages and sold over 500 million copies. The media often calls this phenomenon the “Harry Potter effect,” because the series encouraged a new generation of young people to read more books.
Taylor Swift – Defender of Artists’ Rights
Taylor Swift is one of the most influential artists in the modern music industry. Her storytelling style connects deeply with listeners and has made her one of the best-selling musicians of all time. Swift made history by winning the Grammy Award for Album of the Year four times. She also changed the industry when she decided to re-record her earlier albums as Taylor’s Version, allowing her to regain control of her master recordings. Her tour, the The Eras Tour, became the first tour in history to pass one billion dollars in revenue. Swift is now a symbol of creative independence and financial power for female artists.
Susan Wojcicki – The Architect of YouTube’s Growth
Susan Wojcicki was one of the most influential women in the technology industry. She served as CEO of YouTube from 2014 to 2023. Under her leadership, YouTube grew from a startup into a global media giant that shapes how billions of people watch videos, learn, and consume news. Wojcicki was also an early employee at Google, becoming its 16th worker and the company’s first marketing manager. In fact, Google’s founders first rented a garage from her, which became the company’s first office. She played a key role in Google’s acquisition of YouTube and the advertising platform DoubleClick. Throughout her career, Wojcicki spoke openly about gender equality and the importance of balancing career and family life, becoming a role model for women in technology.
Text: Tautli Gvinianidze
