Despite my issues with TIME magazine, I love the annual “Most Influential” people list. Maybe it’s because it brings to my attention people around the world who are making changes (both positive and negative), or maybe it’s because they named me “Person of the Year” in 2006.
Though TIME has yet to honor me and my greatness since 2006, they’ve honored more upstanding women than myself for 2012. Voting went live on Monday for the most influential person, and 60 outstanding women (63 if the ladies of Mad Men and the Mulleavy sisters are counted as individual entries) made the shortlist. And the list covers a diverse spread of women: from United States first lady Michelle Obama to Bollywood superstar Vidya Balan, US soccer dynamo (and my personal girl crush) Hope Solo to International Criminal Court Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, women all over the world from all professions are honored.
Granted, with 200 people total, women make up only 30% of that shortlist. But we can boost them to the final list with our votes! Voting ends today, April 6, so make sure to hurry! Don’t know who some of these women are? Don’t fret, you can always check out the profiles TIME so usefully generated for them!
Some more notable women included:
- Adele, superstar songstress
- Hillary Clinton, United States Secretary of State
- Melissa McCarthy, Academy Award-nominated funny lady
- Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood (I have to mention that anti-choice groups have targeted her in particular by encouraging people to vote against her. Don’t let them win, BUSTies!)
- Maria de las Graças Silva Foster, CEO of Petrobas (major Brazilian oil company)
- Ai-Jen Poo, Director of the National Domestic Worker’s Alliance
- Lana Del Rey, polarizing singer
- Aung San Suu Kyi, Burmese opposition leader and Nobel laureate; currently the highest-ranking woman in the poll
Remember, you can vote as many times as you like! Happy voting!
(Images via time.com)
