A tribute to the trailblazers, visionaries and pioneers.

Colorful courageous characters who are changing the global landscape

In the community. In the boardroom. Beyond.

QUEEN RANIA OF JORDAN

Renown for her philanthropic work, this striking Arab queen has pushed for education reform and is an outspoken advocate of women’s rights. She has pushed for education reform, fighting for better school facilities and mandatory English language training. She is also an enthusiastic supporter of the micro-fund movement which provides financial assistance to would-be entrepreneurs. This striking Arab queen was ranked 81st in the Forbes 2005 100 most powerful women of the worldlist.

WANJIKU KIRONYO

Yes, that would be my mother and the unflinching founder of Maji Mazuri Center.  Maji Mazuri, which means ‘good water’ in Swahili, has been working for over 20 years transforming the lives of hundreds  in the Mathare Valley slum and beyond. Under her courageous leadership and against all odds, the center has morphed into the epiphany of hope in a desolate place, establishing a micro business loan program,  head start school, youth project, two academic institutions, an organic farm and more. With dedicated volunteers from around the world and a focus on empowerment, the center is now poised to build a 30,000 square foot community center on 5 floors to bring together all these programs, and more, under one, safe and secure roof.

VALERIE JARRET

Born November 14, 1956, this Chicago lawyer, businesswoman, and civic leader is best known for her role as an advisor to President Barack Obama.  She serves as Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Liaison for the Obama administration.

TONI HOOVER

As Vice President of Global R&D, at Pfizer’s Ann Arbor Laboratories, she is responsible for ensuring seamless leadership across the R&D functions; and that Development projects are appropriately resourced. She was responsible for leading a large, multidisciplinary team in the development and registration of Pregabalin, a drug being developed for the treatment of neuropathic pain disorders, epilepsy, and various other neuropsychiatric disorders.

ELLEN JOHNSON-SIRLEAF

The first woman elected to lead an African Nation, the President of Liberia increased the nation’s GDP growth from 9.4% to 6.7%. She is recognized as a determined advocate for peace, justice and democratic rule and is known as Africa’s “Iron Lady.”

MICHELLE OBAMA

Born January 17, 1964, she is the wife of the forty-fourth President of the United States, Barack Obama, and the first African-American First Lady of the United States. Her impressive ivy league education and successful career do not diminish her down to earth demeanor and commitment to her family. She embodies a woman who literally has it all. Strong, smart and stunning, a transformative icon every woman could aspire to be.

SAMPAT PAL DEVI

Born 1947,  she is founder and leader of the Pink Sari Gang. The gang is a group of political activists in India’s northern Uttar Pradesh state’s Banda District.  Banda is at the heart of Bundelkhand, one of the poorest parts of one of India’s most populous states. The group, numbering several hundred women and a few men, uses vigilante-style tactics to achieve greater social justice for the poor with its main focus on poor women. Their goal is to strike fear in the hearts of wrongdoers and earn the respect of officials who have the power to initiate positive change. They brandish sticks and axes when the need presents itself, and claim, “We are a gang for justice.”

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