Honoring Amazing Women Who Change the World
Throughout history and around the world, there are incredible women whose courage, wisdom, and unwavering commitment have moved mountains and made change. These are our Sheros. These legendary advocates for social justice remind us what is possible when purpose meets action. Their lives call us to stand up, to share our voices and to lead with love. Let their stories move you to whatever action feels right for you.
Dr. Jotaka Eaddy:
Speaking Truth to Power
Dr. Jotaka Eaddy is a globally respected strategist, activist, and changemaker whose two-decade career has shaped policy, empowered communities, and opened doors once closed to Black women across America. From rural South Carolina to the global stage, she has stood for equity, lifted communities, and opened doors in technology and politics. Her life reminds us that change begins when we refuse to be silent in the face of injustice.
Dr. Jane Goodall:
One Woman, One Dream, Worldwide Impact
Jane Goodall’s story is about listening to a deep inner calling and a profound respect for all life. From observing and discovering intelligence in chimpanzees in Africa to building a global youth movement, she shows us that empathy, curiosity, and purpose can change the world. A fierce advocate for animals and the environment even in her 90’s, she believes that each one of us can make a difference.
Chief Wilma Mankiller:
The courage of a warrior and the soul of a poet
Chief Wilma Mankiller, the first woman to serve as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, was a national transformative leader, a fierce advocate for Indigenous people’s sovereignty, and a testament to the kind of change that is possible when resilience meets vision. Her life’s work strengthened awareness of the challenges her people face, expanded rights to clean water for all people, and inspired generations.
Malala Yousafzai:
Don't Let Anyone Silence Your Voic
Malala Yousafzai stands as a beacon of resilience, a young advocate who found her voice despite oppression and used it to ignite global change. From surviving an attack by the Taliban to co-founding the Malala Fund and winning the Nobel Peace Prize at 17, she fights for education as a fundamental right for girls everywhere. Her courage and wisdom inspire others globally to speak up about injustice.
Deb Dagit:
Courage and Compassion in Action
Deb Dagit is a sister in the struggle for justice whose work reminds us that true inclusion leaves no one behind. Deb was born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, a brittle bones condition that resulted in her being just 4 feet tall, for as she refers to herself, a “Little Person.” With vision, empathy and tenacity, she has opened doors for people with disabilities in corporate America and beyond. Her leadership is about people, dignity, and the deep belief that every voice must be heard and valued.
Nellie Borrero:
Breaking Barriers and Building Relationships
Nellie Borrero is a visionary leader whose life work centers on equity, dignity, and belonging. At Accenture, she has shaped global conversations on inclusion, lifting up voices too often left out. She has blazed a trail that has touched over half a million people and counting. Nellie Borrero leads with heart and purpose, demonstrating that real change begins when we build relationships and act boldly.
Patsy Mink:
The First Woman of Color in Congress
Patsy Takemoto Mink was an extraordinary woman who made a huge impact on women in the United States. The first woman of color elected to the U.S. Congress, she advocated courageously for equity, education, and civil rights. She co-authored Title IX and fought tirelessly for inclusive policies and civil rights. Her legacy reflects the power of tenacity and fortitude.
Pearls of Wisdom:
Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole & Snowden McFall
Our co-founders, Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole and Snowden McFall, are prolific writers and speakers who are deeply passionate about social justice and the importance of women in our world. Read pearls of wisdom from these changemakers taken from their speeches and books.
Jacinda Ardern:
A Different Kind of Power
After a horrific mass shooting, she took powerful action. In just ten days, her government passed a revolutionary law banning assault rifles and military type semi-automatic weapons, as well as a national gun buyback program.
Amanda Gorman:
When Poetry Becomes Activism
A gifted young woman, an inspiring poet, an activist for social justice and equality, Amanda Gorman is both a changemaker and a beacon of light. Overcoming speech impediments, she captured the world’s attention as the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history. Through her activism and artistic expression, she champions literacy, civic engagement, and the words of youth, reminding us all that hope is an act of bravery.
Mariko Silver:
Philanthropy, Activism and Education
Dr. Mariko Silver, President and CEO of the Lincoln Center, exemplifies leadership with an eye to the greater good of all. From impacting higher education to shaping arts, philanthropy, and global policy, her work reflects the power of an interdisciplinary focus. Her story inspires us to seek improvement in every arena we touch.
Dolores Huerta:
Champion for Her People
Tammy Duckworth:
Fighting for a Better Tomorrow
Senator Tammy Duckworth’s life story is a powerful testament to courage that transforms. As a combat pilot who lost her legs, she turned personal adversity into a platform of tireless advocacy—for veterans, women, children, and people with disabilities. She shattered ceilings as the first double-amputee U.S. Senator and the first to give birth while in office. This profile celebrates her indefatigable spirit, grounded in service and justice, reminding us that adversity can become a force for profound change.
Amy Tan
Literature as Activism
Amy Tan transforms storytelling into an act of activism. Through her deeply resonant novels, she invites us to explore family, identity, and resilience. Her advocacy, from mental health to environmental stewardship, begs us to use our voice and our crafted stories for understanding and change. This profile is a living reminder that words can heal, awaken, and unite.
Dr. Sheila Robinson
Resilience and Reinvention
Dr. Sheila Robinson redefines leadership by placing inclusion at the heart of strategy. As a publisher, author, and trailblazer in DEI, she calls us to move beyond intention and toward real accountability. Her life’s work challenges us to listen deeply, lead boldly, and make equity an everyday practice. This profile is a blueprint for creating workplaces and communities where everyone belongs.
Dolly Parton A Philanthropist Who Makes Beautiful Music
Dolly Parton turns music into a movement and fame into a force for good. With generosity stitched into every lyric and project, she teaches us that influence means responsibility. From literacy campaigns to healthcare support, her legacy invites each of us to give more, dream bigger, and make kindness our loudest voice. This profile reminds us that impact is not measured by volume, but by values.
Michelle Bachelet Breaking Glass Ceilings and Fighting Oppression
Michelle Bachelet’s life embodies resolve, compassion, and vision. As Chile’s first female president and later as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, she has stood for equity, human dignity, and global responsibility. Her work encourages us to lead from empathy, to defend the vulnerable, and to trust that justice built through care is lasting. This profile is a call to see power not just as authority but as service.
Oprah Winfrey An Extraordinary Global Changemaker Who Leads with Heart
Oprah Winfrey has turned storytelling, empathy, and authenticity into global influence. From her humble beginnings to building one of the world’s most trusted media platforms, she has consistently uplifted voices, fostered healing, and championed purpose-driven leadership. Her life calls us to use our stories not just for success but for service. This profile reminds us that legacy is not built in the spotlight but in the lives we touch.
Pearls of Wisdom 2:
Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole & Snowden McFall
Our co-founders, Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole and Snowden McFall, are prolific writers and speakers who are deeply passionate about social justice and the importance of women in our world. Read pearls of wisdom from these changemakers taken from their speeches and books.
Unstoppable Tracy
Embrace Possibility
Maggie Lena Walker
A Blueprint for Purposeful Power
Connie Chung
Breaking through Barriers in Journalism
Madeleine Albright
A Fearless Advocate for Women and Human Rights
America Ferrera
Fearless Actress, Activist, Changemaker
Deb HaalandFearless Advocate for Her People
Deb Haaland redefined public service by becoming one of the first Native American women in the United States Cabinet. Her leadership brings attention to community, justice, and the importance of honoring Indigenous voices. This profile invites us to hold courage and conscience together, and to shape a future rooted in equity and responsibility.
Claudia Sheinbaum Scientist. Reformer. President-Elect of Mexico
Claudia Sheinbaum is redefining political leadership through evidence, empathy, and resolve. Trained as a scientist and shaped by a lifetime of public service, she brings climate responsibility, social equity, and data-driven governance to the center of national power. Her leadership challenges us to imagine what is possible when knowledge, compassion, and courage work together.
Viola Davis Unflinching Voice for Truth and Representation
Viola Davis has reshaped storytelling by insisting that truth, complexity, and dignity belong at the center of every narrative. Through her work on screen and her advocacy beyond it, she challenges long-held assumptions about whose stories matter and how power is portrayed. Her leadership reminds us that courage is not only spoken, but embodied, and that representation can be an act of profound change.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg Architect of Equality Under the Law
Ruth Bader Ginsburg transformed American law by insisting that equality is not a slogan, but a standard that must be upheld with precision and persistence. Through decades of careful, strategic advocacy, she reshaped how the Constitution is applied to women, families, and workplaces. Her legacy reminds us that lasting change is often built patiently, case by case, with clarity, courage, and unwavering purpose.
Louise Locker Elliott Christmas Magic with Elf Louise
Louise Locker Elliott believed that leadership could be both purposeful and playful. Through the creation of Elf Louise, she transformed a simple act of generosity into a movement that brought joy, dignity, and hope to countless children and families. Her life’s work reminds us that meaningful change does not always begin with power or prominence, but with imagination, compassion, and the courage to serve others wholeheartedly.
Simone Biles Redefining Strength, Excellence, and Self-Respect
Simone Biles has transformed how the world understands greatness by pairing unmatched athletic achievement with uncommon honesty and self-awareness. Beyond her historic success in gymnastics, she has modeled a new definition of strength that values mental health, personal boundaries, and long-term well-being. Her leadership reminds us that true excellence includes the courage to step back, speak openly, and protect what matters most.
Sharice Davids Breaking Barriers Through Service and Strength
Sharice Davids represents a new generation of leadership grounded in lived experience, discipline, and service. As one of the first openly LGBTQ Native American women elected to Congress, she brings perspective shaped by community, resilience, and accountability. Her work reminds us that representation matters most when it is paired with action, integrity, and a commitment to those too often left unheard.
Coretta Scott King Guardian of Legacy and Architect of Justice
Coretta Scott King carried the work of justice forward with vision, discipline, and moral resolve. More than a steward of legacy, she was a strategist, organizer, and global advocate who expanded the civil rights movement to include peace, economic justice, and human dignity worldwide. Her leadership reminds us that sustaining change requires both courage in the moment and commitment across generations.
Jeannette Rankin Principled Pioneer of Peace and Representation
Jeannette Rankin changed the course of American history by proving that conscience belongs in public office. As the first woman elected to the United States Congress, she stood firm in her convictions even when they were unpopular, voting her principles rather than her safety. Her legacy reminds us that courage is not always loud, and that leadership rooted in moral clarity can echo far beyond its moment.
Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Activism in Action
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson brings rigor, lived experience, and deep respect for the Constitution to the highest court in the nation. Her path from public defender to Supreme Court Justice reflects a belief that justice must be both principled and practical. Her presence on the Court signals not only progress in representation, but a commitment to fairness grounded in careful reasoning and human understanding.