American Sociologist, W.E.B. Dubois once said, “There is no force more powerful than a woman determined to rise.” Decades later, as women are leading the world & living lives they once could only dream of, his words still ring true. Each year, there are more and more women becoming successful powerhouses in their respective fields & paving the way for younger generations to do the same. 

From superstar actresses to powerful authors and activists, here are 15 of the most inspiring women in the spotlight leading by example & inspiring us whether you’re focused on growing your LV business, becoming your best self inside and out, interested in dedicating time to giving back OR all three! 

Let These Women Motivate You To Follow Your Dreams & Persevere 

1. Margot Robbie 

One of the most famous faces and beloved actresses, Robbie is not only known for her drop dead gorgeous looks & sweet personality, but some of the most successful movies of our time. Her recent unforgettable portrayal of Barbie has captivated audiences around the world and has inspired women of all ages to stay true to themselves and embrace being a woman. 

2. Taylor Jenkins Reid 

Bestselling Los Angeles based author, Taylor Jenkins Reid, has produced award-winning novels like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones & The Six & has taken her stories to the big screen this year with deals on Amazon Prime, Netflix & more in the works. Her books are extremely popular amongst women of all ages due to their incredible, multi-faceted female protagonists. 

3. Taylor Swift

Is there a woman more celebrated and loved than Taylor Swift? Swift has repeatedly stood up for women & their rights during her time in the spotlight. In the past few years, Swift has released her own music in her own way to change the conversation about song rights & album releases. She has completely transformed the music industry and by standing up for herself, inspired women and girls to do the same. 

4. Emma Grede 

You may know Good American jeans and Skims because of none other than the Kardashians, but Grede is the CEO and Co-Founder of both brands and is set on driving inclusivity and diversity at the center. Grede founded Good American jeans with Khloe Kardashian, and Skims with Kim Kardashian, in order to celebrate & ensure beautiful fashions for all body types and races. Now one of the richest self-made women, Grede is certainly one of the most inspiring women leading the way in fashion.

5. Colleen Hoover 

Hoover and her bestselling books have taken the world by storm in recent years. Some of her most beloved work is the It Ends With Us and It Starts With Us set of two books loosely based on Hoover’s mother and experience in abusive relationships. Hoover inspires us through her writing to believe in healthy love and shows the power of standing up for yourself – even if you’re absolutely terrified to do so. 

6. Serena Williams

Without a doubt, Serena Williams is one of, if not the most influential athlete around the world. Her story is a powerful example of perseverance & determination and shows her deep love for the game of tennis. She has revolutionized being a female athlete and has lived life on her own terms showing others to do the same to reach success & happiness. 

7. Bethenny Frankel

Coming from an abusive childhood, to becoming one of the most popular Reality TV Stars and one of the most successful female entrepreneurs known for her Skinny Girl Brand, Frankel has created an empire inspiring women to thrive in business & knock down barriers. 

8. Melanie Perkins 

As a LV Promoter growing your social media, you’ve probably used Canva in order to create some social media posts or add elements to your Instagram stories. The woman behind the $40 billion company is Melanie Perkins, a young entrepreneur that pitched her idea over and over until it became an immense success & unicorn company. 

9. Jennifer Coolidge 

A celebrated comeback this year was the return of Jennifer Coolidge, who never really got the praise she deserved for starring in so many women’s childhood favorite movies. Coolidge’s skill of bringing humor and depth to characters that seem challenging or different have audiences captivated begging for more. Coolidge shows the power of staying true to yourself and being determined, truly pay off in the long run.

10. Naomi Osaka 

Apart from being a star athlete, Osaka has shined a bright light on mental health issues including her own struggles with depression & anxiety after walking away from the Grand Slam event when she was at the top of her game making her one of the most inspiring women. Her message blew up on social media and was celebrated online and on television due to her relatable message touching many women who battle with their own mental health problems. 

11. Jennifer Foyle 

Business woman Jennifer Foyle joined American Eagle in 2010 and has redefined the brand with growing the popular Aerie brand. With her help & powerful expertise, Foyle grew the sales from $224 million in 2014 to over $1.4 billion in 2022. As President & Creative Director, Foyle has built female brands to what they are and redefined the brand to be one of the most popular stores for women and teens. 

12. Malala Yousafzai  

After surviving an assassination attempt at just 15-years-old, Malala Yousafzai, went on to receive the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize two years later as the world’s youngest recipient ever. Malala has dedicated her life to being an incredible female education activist fighting specifically for girls to receive 12 years of free, safe, quality education. Now, as a 2020 Oxford graduate, she focuses on running her campaign, the Malala Fund, and traveling to meet girls fighting poverty, wars, child marriage and gender discrimination. Malala inspires all women to join forces and fight for a world where girls are not only safe – they are leaders. 

13. Padma Lakshmi 

Bestselling Author, TV Host and entrepreneur, Padma Lakshmi, is also an ambassador for women and immigrants. After suffering from endometriosis for decades, Lakshmi has co-founded the EndoFound and launched the first research facility project between Harvard & MIT. Lakshmi was also recognized for her efforts on the floor of the New York State Senate where she succeeded in passing a bill related to teen healthcare. Lakshmi shows it’s important to act on issues to benefit future female generations & leads the way for others to step forward. 

14. Arianna Huffington 

Founder of the Huffington Post, Arianna Huffington is a great example of standing your ground & speaking your mind. Huffington also founded the company Thrive Global and has written 15 books. Although Huffington has had such an incredible career for decades that is nowhere near finished, Huffington focuses on self-care and makes sure she never burns out teaching other women the importance of health & wellness. 

15. Brené Brown

Professor, six-time #1 New York Times bestselling author & podcast host, Brene Brown is known worldwide for her decades of research based on courage, vulnerability, shame and empathy. Brown shares her research & teaches the importance of being vulnerable, brave and staying true to yourself. She also shows the beauty of feeling – no matter what the emotion is. As a Promoter, learn from Brown’s advice when you share your story or your teammates story. It’s important to keep it simple and be open & vulnerable like Brown suggests in order to connect with others and show courage during your experience. 

If this list proves anything – it is that there is room for ALL of us to succeed at the same time. As you’re focused on building your business & network, look to the women that come before you and around you to offer inspiration and help you accomplish all that you wish and work for. 

Who is a woman you look up to as you reach for the stars? Share with us in the comments below!