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Every December, FT Weekend Magazine puts together a special issue dedicated to the year’s most influential women. Here are 25 heroes, leaders and creators from around the world and across industries who have shaped the past 12 months, and perhaps will continue to do so. Shape the future.
An important part of this project is the nominations we receive from you, our readers, through FT.com, the Instagram comment section, email, and letters. We always love hearing from the women who have influenced, inspired and inspired you. Here are some of the candidates you suggested that aren’t already on the list. These pioneering women have pushed boundaries, made important discoveries, advocated for change, and challenged the status quo.
Rebecca Gompertz
Doctor and women’s rights activist
For providing medical care when American women’s rights were threatened.
—GL-00000 (via FT.com)
Susie Wilds
campaign strategist
For his work in leading the Republican Party to victory in the presidential election.
—Bliain and bhFrancach, via FT.com
simran kaur
writer and podcaster
Simran Kaur of Girls That Invest opened up the world of investing to women in general, especially women from South Asia like me, where the cultural consensus is to save. She is a pioneer when it comes to breaking down traditional barriers to investing by providing useful, free information that you can apply to your own situation in an easy-to-understand format.
—FIfeminist (via FT.com)
Louise Johnson
CEO
Global CEO of Hughes and the world’s first female head of a sports talent agency. At this year’s Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, he led the jury as president of the jury. A huge influence and role model in the creative field. She has already opened offices in three countries this year and plans to open more in the future.
—Sarah, Brighton, via FT.com
Jean Orwan
CEO
(Entrepreneurial Foundation) Virgin Unite and the Elders (led by Nelson Mandela, Jimmy Carter, Mary Robinson, etc.). She also founded the B-Team (with Paul Polman, Jesper Brodin and others) and later the Planetary Guardians (with Johan Rockström, Jane Goodall, Cristiana Figueres, Sylvia Earle and others). Jean is a huge advocate of collaboration and partnership, solving big problems together.
—RSPG (via FT.com)
zendaya
actress
I think she’s a great role model in the entertainment industry and she’s had a great year. I admire her talent, professionalism, style, integrity and how she navigates the world of the industry.
—Monday, 2021, via FT.com
Francesca Albanese
United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories
For speaking out when so many others were silent.
— @blissbohemian via Instagram
Ulla Maria
garden designer
We won Best in Show at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show, beating out several ‘famous’ designers. Originally from the Lithuanian countryside, her childhood experiences in nature directly influence her design work.
—@lucy.bellamy via Instagram
Poppy Gustafson
UK Minister for Investment
Representing the UK on the world stage by proving that exemplary technical success is possible in the UK.
—PierceEggsBeforeSucking (via FT.com)
Toshiko Abe
Minister of Education of Japan
For his role as Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in the Japanese government.
—Bliain and bhFrancach, via FT.com
madison marsh
physicist
Physicist, US Air Force Academy graduate, Harvard University student, Miss America, and fighter pilot. No, she is not a CEO, but her qualifications are equally admirable and worthy of respect.
–Hitman
