Forbes submitted their final list on December 6th. On this list were a couple of notable figures, Stacey Abrams and Kamala Harris just to name a few.
What We Know:
- Forbes has announced its list of the world’s 100 most powerful women of 2020 on Tuesday, December 8th. This list has leaders from 30 countries including 10 different heads of state, 38 CEOs, and 5 entertainers. US Vice-president elect Kamala Harris made the list for the first time in the number 3 spot. In the Forbes article, Nicolette Jones said her “rapid ascension in U.S. politics” has “catapulted” her onto the list”. She came in just behind German Chancellor Angela Merkel who ranked number one for the tenth year in-a-row and European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde at number two for the second straight year.
- Among other repeating contenders, Forbes highlighted 17 women for the first time. New additions besides Harris include UPS CEO Carol Tome, Clorox’s Linda Rendle, and Stacey Abrams making the 100th spot.
- “In a year marked by mass protests and political unrest around the world, few people deftly used their power quite like Fair Fight founder and voting rights advocate Stacey Abrams (No. 100),” the outlet wrote. “By working to help register some 800,000 people to vote in Georgia, the former state representative helped a Democratic presidential nominee win her state for the first time in 28 years. But, her work is not done. She said she gave herself “17 minutes” of celebration before turning her focus to the critical Georgia Senate runoff elections in January.
- Harris’ clash with Vice President Pence during this year’s vice presidential debate was a galvanizing moment for women. At one point during the debate, when Pence attempted to interrupt Harris, she shot back: “I’m speaking.” “The comeback launched a thousand memes (and even a handful of T-shirts), but it also became a rallying cry for women across America,” Forbes wrote. “One month after the debate, Senator Harris became the first woman, first Black American, and first Asian American to be elected vice president – an unprecedented trifecta of firsts.”
- Forbes is said to have based this list after researching the “Hard power, dynamic power, and soft power within the context of each women’s field; those being business, media, technology, finance, philanthropy, and politics.”
- In addition, Rihanna and Beyoncé also were highlighted on the list coming in at 69 and 72 respectively. According to Yahoo News, Rihanna is recognized for her philanthropy including $8 million in COVID-19 relief as well as her business endeavors with FENTY, Fenty Beauty, and Savage Fenty and her ability to overcome adversity. The outlet highlighted Beyoncé for her successful music career and business partnerships including her successful Ivy Park brand with Adidas.
Some other well-known figures to be highlighted on the list are Oprah ranked at number 20, Rosalind Brewerat number 48, Ava DuVernay at 79, and Melody Hobsonis ranked 94.
