“Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life you’re proud to live.” - Anne Sweeney, Co-Chair Disney Media Networks.
Whether it was for a seemingly small idea, or a grand endeavor, these nine women have persevered, inspired, and created despite a male dominated society. They have ignored limitations and changed perceptions with unwavering confidence and poise...
Coco Chanel
An icon that transcended the fashion industry, Coco Chanel empowered woman across the Western World to literally break free from the constraints of corsets. Starting out as a seamstress, she eventually opened up a small dress shop and grew her empire to a prolific fashion brand that still hangs on the racks of every luxury department store today.
Oprah Winfrey
A media mogul who’s inspired women across the world. Oprah Winfrey is an icon of icons spreading her talents, inspiration and philanthropy across all media platforms. She’s jumpstarted careers and brought others into a brighter limelight. From the beginning, she’s broken mold. She is the first and only multi-billionaire black person.
Clara Barton
founder of American Red Cross
The founder of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton began as a teacher. Throughout her career in education and beyond, she was constantly reminded of her place as a woman in a patriarchal society. She still persevered. The American Red Cross today is a billion dollar company that provides disaster relief, medical attention and education in the U.S.
Arianna Huffington
Considered one of the most influential women in media by Forbe’s Magazine, Arianna Huffington is a businesswoman, author and occasional actress. She founded the Huffington Post, one of the most popular news aggregate and political sites. In 2016,she stepped down from her role in the company to commit to a new endeavor, Thrive Global.
Sara Blakely
At 27, Sara Blakely moved to Atlanta with her $5,000 in savings to develop undergarments that had the same effect as pantyhose without fallbacks. She developed the Spanx idea, name, brand, packaging, and self-patented. Today she is the youngest self-made female billionaire in America.
J.K. Rowling
After receiving twelve rejections from publishers, J.K. Rowling finally caught a break, and the rest is history. She was advised to not use a female name in fear boys wouldn’t read a book written by a woman. Regardless of her name, she’s regarded as one of the most influential woman, and the first person to become a U.S. dollar billionaire from writing books.
Martha Stewart
Queen of elegant domesticity, Martha Stewart pioneered an educational source for gourmet cooking, beautiful design, gardening, baking, fashion, and entertaining. Before her rise, she was asked to write a lifestyle book, that became so popular, she gradually expanded her brand into the multi-platform resource for all things domestic.
Tory Burch
Fashion designer, business woman, and philanthropist, Tory Burch is chairman, CEO, and designer of Tory Burch LLC and listed as one of the most powerful women in the world by Forbe’s. Along with her fashion brand, she’s helping other women achieve success through her philanthropic endeavor, The Tory Burch Foundation, which supports American women through entrepreneurial education, mentorship, and facilitating small business loans,
Ruth Handler
Ruth Handler was entrepreneur beyond her time. After noticing the limitations of her daughter’s toys, Ruth designed Barbie, skyrocketing sales for Mattel and creating an iconic toy that has entertained the imaginations of children for generations.