MADISON, Wisconsin — A large contributing factor to poverty is gender inequality. All over the world women are being denied basic rights and are not allowed to contribute to their communities or countries. Many point to this segregation of women from the public sphere as a contributing factor to poverty itself, since half the population is unable to gain education and work. In recent decades we have seen women prove their worth by stepping up and making positive change in the world. Here is our list of 2014’s most powerful women:
10. Virginia Rometty
As IBM’s CEO, Virgina Rommetty controls one of the world’s largest IT companies.
Source: Forbes
9. Sheryl Sandberg
Sheryl Sandberg is COO of Facebook, a company with a $160 billion market value. Sanderberg’s net worth alone is approximately one billion dollars.
Photo: Levo
Source: Forbes
8. Michelle Obama
First Lady, Michelle Obama, has used her widespread influence to fight childhood obesity and promote healthy lifestyle choices.
Photo: The Grio
Source: Forbes
7. Marry Barra
Marry Barra became GM’s CEO in January. Since then, she has headed one of the most powerful corporations in the world.
Photo: Forbes
Source: Forbes
6. Hillary Clinton
Former Secretary of State and possible 2016 Presidential Candidate, Hillary Clinton is one of the most respected figures on the international stage.
Photo: Telegraph
Source: Forbes
5. Christine Lagarde
Christina Lagarde has one of the toughest jobs in the world as managing director of the IMF. Her most recent crisis has been dealing with the Ukraine conflict.
Photo: The Times
Source: Forbes
4. Dilma Rousseff
One of the most powerful politicians in the world, Rousseff has driven Brazil’s economy to the 7th largest in the world with a GDP of $2.4 trillion.
Photo: The Tribune
Source: Forbes
3. Melinda Gates
Melinda Gates founded the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation with her husband in 1998. Since then she has given more than $3.4 billion dollars to global development and has committed $26 billion in grants.
Photo: The Guardian
Source: Forbes
2. Janet Yellen
Janet Yellen is the first women to be Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and heads the most influential bank in the world.
Photo: CNN
Source: Forbes
1. Angela Merkel
Chancellor Angela Merkel, single handedly saved The European Union. She is also responsible for Germany’s increasing economic and political power.
Photo: Forbes
Source: Forbes
– Sarah Dalgleish
Article Sources: Forbes
Featured Photo: Movie Pilot