21 Inspirational Women

This March has proved to be an incredible month where people all across the globe have connected through the interwebs to discuss women’s equality, our triumphs, accomplishments and the growth of the women’s movement. It’s been an exciting display of women supporting other women – bringing to light the things we need to change and the issues that we need to tackle. It may be the last day of a very memorable Women’s History Month, but it’s always a great time to celebrate inspirational women doing incredible things in the world.

I’ve put together a list of some truly outstanding and inspirational women in business, politics and the arts that inspire me to no end. These are just some of the women that are a constant source of inspiration that help push me forward in life and career through their exemplary displays of leadership and just being generally bad ass women.

1. Maya Angelou

Mother Maya changed my life when I first read “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” in grade school. She inspired me to write my very first poem. And I have not stopped writing since. Through her story and her words, Maya Angelou has inspired millions of people around the world to live in strength and celebration of who you are. She is without a doubt an phenomenal woman, that’s her.

2. Oprah

There is nothing that cannot be said about Oprah Winfrey. She has defied all odds, has learned through her own experiences to inspire and share her influences. And she doesn’t stop giving and never stops learning. It’s probably what has made her the most successful woman in history. We can only hope to live a life as light and abundant as Oprah is. I love you, girl

3. Angela Ahrendts

The Burberry CEO turned Apple exec single-handedly turned an British heritage brand into the coolest leader in the digital revolution. She’s sharp, practical and is very open about allowing her intuition to guide her in work and life. She is a fearless leader and I cannot wait to see the work she does at Apple.

4. Natalie Massenet

Risk-taking must be embedded into the DNA of Natalie Massenet, as the founder and CEO of Net-A-Porter, she attacked the e-commerce space when there were virtually no other players in the sandbox in the year 2000 and has since then revolutionized the way that consumers can shop online for fashion and luxury goods. She is directive and keeps the consumer at the forefront of the experience. With her newly launched Porter Magazine in print, there’s no telling where this trailblazer will take her empire next, but I can’t wait to see what’s she got in store.

 5. Arianna Huffington

Whenever the term media mogul comes to mind and it comes to mind often, I automatically think of Arianna Huffington. She works tirelessly to uplift other women and I appreciate that to no end. Her book “On Becoming Fearless” is the greatest handbook to aid in your steps to leadership, too. I always appreciate any woman that makes it her business to support other women around her and that’s precisely what Arianna does with all of her work, a shining example of a fearless leader.

6. Rita Moreno

As a young starlet in show biz in the 1950s, Rita Moreno paved the way for all young Latina performers and actresses that we love and revere today. She is the only Hispanic (Puerto Rican) and one of the only performers to have won an Academy award, a Tony award, an Emmy and a Grammy. Rita is the shining jewel of what it means to be a true performer.

7. Jill Scott

She is a singer, a writer, a mother, and accomplished actress that rocked my world as a young girl navigating her way through the world. She celebrates women in her music and personifies strength and talent. She is limitless and not bound by societal norms when it comes to sex and living strongly as an independent woman. Her song of off her last album titled “Womanifesto” will give you an idea of the type of woman Jill Scott is, if you aren’t yet acquainted. Her live performances will take to a spiritual place in which you will never want to return.

8. Vivienne Westwood

Vivienne Westwood is Punk Rock and the definition if a bad ass woman. She and Malcolm McLaren founded the punk movement in London in the 1970s and she is the empress of her fashion empire that dares to take risks in a business that favors commercialism over artistic flair. In recent years, Vivienne has become a relentless environmental activist and has pledged £1Million to help tackle climate change. And at age 73, if she is not bad ass women in the world, I haven’t a clue who is.

9. Gloria Steinem

The mother of the feminist movement, the voice of Gloria Steinem has changed the direction of women’s liberation and equality. This political / social activist, journalist and incredible woman founded feminist publication Ms. Magazine in 1971, the publication is still going strong today. Gloria just celebrated her 80th birthday.

10. Liza Kindred

Liza Kindred is tech entrepreneur and founder of Third Wave Fashion, a company that helps fashion companies keep up with the latest technology available to make them into future leaders of the fashion tech space through strategy and education. She has a knack for building a strong, engaged community and invests in women owned start ups all while raising the most beautiful daughter that is just as talented as she is.

11. Hillary Clinton

I had the chance to meet Hillary Clinton when I was just 12 years old and even then, I was in absolute awe of everything she was. Fast forward, thirteen years later and she still inspires me to no end. As First Lady, US Senator and US Secretary of State, Hillary has worked tirelessly to be a leader and a voice for our country all while breaking down gender barriers and leading with power and strength. The press has not always been very kind to Hillary but that doesn’t stop her from creating change or knocking our socks off, whether you like it or not.

12. Jenna Lyons

Jenna Lyons is a fashion powerhouse. At the helm of mega American brand J. Crew, she has taken her preppy Californian roots straight to the New York sophisticate – making J. Crew something consumers worldwide want a piece of.

 13. Sonia Sotomayor

In 2009, Sonia Sotomayor made history by becoming the first Hispanic female to become Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court. Hailing from The Bronx and of Puerto Rican heritage, Sonia makes me proud to claim that I am a Puerto Rican woman living and thriving in the world. And furthermore, Sonia makes me want to change the course of history right along with her.

14. Tamara Mellon

Tamara Mellon is one of the most successful entrepreneurs that the fashion industry has had the chance to encounter as co-founder of $100 Million empire of Jimmy Choo and now her own namesake label. She’s ballsy, directive and understands what women want when they want it. Check out my post on the Tamara Mellon customer here.

15. Elizabeth Canon

Nothing inspires me more than women that know what they want to see in the world and go out and make it a reality. Elizabeth Canon was a partner at a interactive agency, when she realized that she wanted to take her passion for digital marketing in the fashion and luxury space and turn it into what is now Fashion’s Collective, FashionForward Events and FC labs – a digital publication, conference event series and an educational resources in which she leads the way of thought leadership for fashion brand marketers navigating the digital space. She has spoken at TEDx in Bali, has recently opened a division of Fashion’s Collective in Shanghai and is a futurist that stops at nothing to bring the fashion and luxury industries ahead of the curve.

16. Brene Brown

I really draw from Brene Brown because she is a brave soul. As a psychologist, professor and author, Brene specializes in the power of vulnerability and authenticity, giving endless amounts of people everywhere the courage to be their true selves by recognizing all your power lies right in your vulnerability. What a powerful message.

17. Cindy Gallop

Cindy Gallop has got to be one of the coolest women on the planet. She is advertising executive and the founder of IfWeRanTheWorld and MakeLoveNotPorn. She’s a spirited and liberated woman that has quite a few opinions on sex and isn’t afraid to share them with you. With her newest venture of MakeLoveNotPorn, Cindy will stop at nothing to change the way that we look at porn. She has successfully had one of the most shared TED talks and her Twitter bio reads: ” like to blow shit up. I am the Michael Bay of business.” If that doesn’t scream I’m a fearless badass that makes things happen, then I haven’t the faintest clue what does.

18. Grimes

Grimes aka Claire Boucheron is a music and visual artist that came clean about her views and experiences as a woman in the music industry on her Tumblr last April that sent the Internet ablaze. With her alternative aesthetic and sound, she is a leader of women that dance to the beat of their own drum and aren’t afraid to use their voice to get a powerful message across. “I’m tired of men who aren’t professional or even accomplished musicians continually offering to ‘help me out’ (without being asked), as if i did this by accident and i’m gonna flounder without them.  or as if the fact that I’m a woman makes me incapable of using technology.  I have never seen this kind of thing happen to any of my male peers,” she writes.

19. Melissa Mark-Viverito

I had been seeing Melissa Mark-Viverito on local New York news time and time again, but it wasn’t until I googled her to find out more about her that I discovered what a powerhouse this woman is. As the Speaker of the New York City Council, Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito is the first Puerto Rican and Latina to hold a citywide elected position.

20. Marina Abramovic

To the art world, Marina Abramovic is known as the grandmother of performance art, but to me she is one of the most inspiring popular culture figures we have today. Her work involves pushing the limits of the mind and body. Her 736-hour performance piece titled “The Artist is Present” was materialized at MoMA in 2010 and chronicled in an HBO documentary with the same title, it was then that Marina’s push for humanity was very clear to me. She uses performance are as her medium to deeply and profoundly shift energies. With her newest venture of the Marina Abramovic Institute, she hopes to bring her method to the masses. I can’t wait to visit when it is open.

21. Tavi Gevinson

This list wouldn’t be complete with Tavi. She is the founder of Rookie Magazine, an online publication geared towards teenage girls with one of the strongest communities online. Although, Tavi began in the fashion blogosphere at age 12, she has expanded her interests and writing and made it clear that no one can put her in corner, category or box. Her talents span from writing to singing to acting. She is the voice of her generation and we have more young ladies like Tavi, strong in conviction and purposeful to no end, we will have a very promising future ahead of us.

Who are some women that inspire you endlessly? Who would you add to this list? Let me know if the comments below. I hope you’ve had a lovely Women’s History Month!