These are the top 10 women who changed history.
Maya Angelou
1928–2014 From her powerful poetry to her moving autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Angelou forever changed History in the world and opened doors for Black authors everywhere. Her love of books started as a child, when she struggled with selective mutism for five years. Beyond writing, she was also an actor, singer, screenwriter, and civil rights activist.
Lucille Ball
1911–1989 While she was an undeniable light onscreen in I Love Lucy, Ball was an extremely powerful figure off camera as well. She was the first woman to own a major studio, called Desilu Productions.
Queen Elizabeth II
1926–2022 Queen Elizabeth II served as head of the royal family for 70 years, making her the longest-reigning monarch in British history. She celebrated her Platinum Jubilee in June 2022, just three months before she died at 96 years old.
Rosa Parks
1913–2005 Rosa Parks famously became a leader in the 1950s Civil Rights Movement when she refused to give up her seat on the bus for a white passenger. Her bravery sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott and was a major factor in the end of legal segregation. She continued her activism well into her later years before dying at age 92.
Halle Berry
1966–present Aside from being a talented actor and fashion icon, 58-year-old Halle Berry has left a special mark on Hollywood. In 2002, she became the first Black woman to win the Best Actress Oscar for Monster’s Ball. In 2023, she presented the same award to Michelle Yeoh, the second woman of color to ever win the award.
Amelia Earhart
1897–1939
As the first female pilot to fly across the Atlantic Ocean, Amelia Earhart forever changed the world of aviation. Her mysterious disappearance while flying over the Pacific Ocean in 1937 has sparked a range of theories, from a potentially fatal crash to her spending her final days on a remote island.
Michelle Kwan
1980–present Michelle Kwan, now 44, dominated the ice throughout the ’90s, quickly becoming the most decorated figure skater in American history. She represented both the United States and Asian Americans on the world stage, winning 43 championships and two Olympic medals.
Malala Yousafzai
1997–present Malala Yousafzai, now 27, began fighting for girls’ rights to education in Pakistan at just 11 years old. After surviving an assassination attempt a few years later, she has courageously continued to be a worldwide voice for young women. In 2014, she became the world’s youngest Nobel Peace Prize recipient.
Rita Moreno
1931–present At 93, Rita Moreno is a Hollywood legend. Her singing, dancing, and acting skills shone in classics like Singin’ in the Rain (1952) and West Side Story (1961), making her a true triple threat in Hollywood. In 1962, she became the first Latina woman to win an Oscar. Fifteen years later, Moreno achieved EGOT status—something only 21 people in history have done.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
1933–2020 Ruth Bader Ginsburg made history as the first Jewish woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court. Her entire career was highlighted by pivotal moments in American history. Consistently standing up for gender equality and civil rights, she helped pass historic rulings on topics ranging from the Affordable Care Act to the legalization of same-sex marriage before her death at age 87.
Aretha Franklin
1942–2018 As one of the most angelic voices in history and an 18-time Grammy winner, Aretha Franklin popularized hits like “Respect” and “I Say a Little Prayer.” In 1987, she became the first female artist to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Vera Wang
1949–present Vera Wang, a first-generation Chinese-American fashion designer, has become one of the most beloved bridal designers of all time. Before launching her own brand, the 75-year-old worked at Vogue and Ralph Lauren. In 2005, the Council of Fashion Designers of America selected her as the Wear Designer of the Year.