TRENDING

Image: https://www.instagram.com/blklivesmatter/

On September 22, Time Magazine released its annual list of the Top 100 Most Influential People of the year. Seeing as 2020 is arguably one of the most influential years in history—or, at least in American history, considering the Covid-19 pandemic, increased awareness and involvement in social justice, and the upcoming election have all forced us to examine our individual and national values, morals and actions—the trailblazers featured on this year's list are nothing short of extraordinary. The round-up includes a strong cohort of over 40 powerful women who have changed the world this year, and we want to make sure you know their names and their legacies.

7 women you've probably heard of, and how they have influenced 2020:

Image: https://www.instagram.com/theestallion/

Megan Thee Stallion

The Texas-born rapper has had multiple number one songs this past year, and she is easily one of the most listened to and most highly regarded female rappers of the moment. Although not everyone agrees with her sometimes-provocative lyrics, her goal is to show girls and women that we have strong, valuable voices that we can use to rap, sing, write and speak about whatever we desire. But she is not just on Time's list for her music. As Taraji P. Henson, the acress that wrote up her blurb for Time, stated, "I don't like to put the stigma of the word strong on Black women because I think it dehumanizes us, but [Megan] has strength—strength through vulnerability." Despite all of the hardship Megan has endured, including losing much of her family and even being shot this summer, she has advocated for Black girls everywhere, and she has inspired a national conversation about the value of Black women and why we need to be protected.

Image: https://www.instagram.com/selenagomez/

Selena Gomez

Selena is no stranger to American pop culture, and her acting and musical talents, as well as her elegant and driven presence, have garnered her hundreds of millions of fans. Off-screen, she is known as an outspoken advocate for marginalized communities. She used her Instagram platform to give a voice to Black Lives Matter activists, she is raising money for mental-health services, and has openly advocated for immigrant rights in America.

Image: https://www.instagram.com/kamalaharris/

Kamala Harris

Senator Harris' political journey has been all about breaking down barriers and blazing a trail for other girls and women of color. As the first Black woman and first Indian American Vice Presidential nominee for a major political party, she intends to make even more history on November 3rd.

Image: https://www.instagram.com/naomiosaka/

Naomi Osaka

The Japanese-American and African-American tennis star is best known for what she has achieved on the court: three grand slams (including a 2020 U.S. Open victory) at only 22 years old. This summer, she used her athletic platform to raise awareness for the Black Lives Matter movement by wearing seven masks, each with a name of a victim of police brutality, at each of the seven U.S. Open matches. Naomi is a prime example of the important intersection between professional athletics and activism.

Image: https://www.instagram.com/speakerpelosi/

Nancy Pelosi

The current Speaker of the House of Representatives has served as an example of commitment, strength and leadership since she assumed the position in January 2019. She has negotiated and navigated monumental decisions to our nation's democracy with authority and grace, and she is an inspiration to girls and women everywhere.

Image: https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en

Megan Rapinoe

Best known for her leadership and talent on the soccer field, including leading the U.S. Women's Soccer Team to a 2019 World Cup victory, Megan Rapinoe is admired by soccer-playing girls all around the world. Off the soccer field, she has been an outspoken advocate for BLM, LGTBQ+ rights, and gender pay equality, especially in athletics.

Image: https://www.instagram.com/itsjojosiwa/

Jojo Siwa

Jojo Siwa is the youngest person featured on Time's 2020 Top 100 list! Perhaps a surprising selection, Jojo is admired for her positivity and her ability to celebrate herself in a world of critics. With almost 30 million TikTok followers and almost 12 million YouTube subscribers, she is a household name in young pop culture.

7 women (and groups) you might not have heard of, and how they have influenced 2020:

Image: https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en

Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors and Opal Tometi

These three Black women have literally changed the world. In 2013, they founded the Black Lives Matter movement in response to the acquittal of George Zimmerman, the man who murdered 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. Over the last six years, they have not stopped fighting for justice for victims of police brutality and racism, and they will continue to make sure Black people are humanized, valued, and advocated for.

Image: https://www.instagram.com/astro_christina/

Christina Koch and Jessica Meir

In October 2019, astronauts Koch and Meir completed the first all-female space walk! As Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman in space explains, Koch and Meir shifted "who we see as strong, brave, competent, and who's on the team pushing the boundaries of exploration" by executing "intellectually and physically demanding work in one of the most challenging circumstances in which humans operate."

Image: https://www.instagram.com/womenintheworld/

Julie K. Brown

Without Miami Herald investigative reporter Julie K. Brown, we might not have as much clarity as we do regarding the case of the late Jeffrey Epstein, a hedge fund manager and convicted sex offender whose case is loaded with corruption, wealth, and mystery. Author Ronan Farrow explains that before Brown's "explosive" reporting on Epstein in 2018, "plenty of outlets had failed to grasp the story's ongoing significance." She led the way in getting to the truth, and she is an inspiration to all girls and women interested in politics.

Image: https://www.instagram.com/feminists_of_calcutta/

Bilkis

82-year-old activist Bilkis has become "the symbol of resistance in a nation where the voices of women and minorities [are]... systematically drowned out by the majoritarian politics of the Modi regime" according to Indian journalist Ayyub. Bilkis has led peaceful protests and inspired thousands of women in India to oppose the nationalistic, anti-Muslim, and restrictive policies of the current Indian government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Image: https://www.instagram.com/vivalasmujereslatinas/

Arussi Unda

Mexican feminist and activist Arussi Unda organized a national women's strike in Mexico in March of 2020. According to Mexican journalist Lydia Cacho, Unda aims to remind the world of "the important role women of all ages, races, and economic statuses play in making democracy work." Her activism has sparked a national conversation in Mexico about the value women bring to Mexican society, and the importance of protecting women from abuse and injustice.

MacKenzie Scott

In 1995, MacKenzie Scott helped her ex-husband Jeff Bezos start Amazon from their garage, and now, 25 years later, she is the richest woman in the world. However, unlike most of the 1%, she has pledged to give the majority of her wealth back to underprivileged pockets of society. Over the past year, she has given $1.7 billion in donations to over 100 different organizations led by individuals who have experienced the social injustices they want to solve, and she will continue to do so in the years to come.

Image: https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en

Camilla Rothe

In January 2020, Dr. Rothe's infectious-disease team in Munich, Germany was one of the first to report that Covid-19 can spread through asymptomatic carriers. Her discovery has helped slow the spread of infection and has saved lives all around the world.

This was only a fraction of the inspiring women and individuals profiled in Time's Top 100 Most Influential People of 2020, and I encourage you to check out the rest of the list on Time's website! 

by Maya Valmon | 10/13/2020