Women who inspire us.

THE POLITICAL POWERHOUSE – HILLARY CLINTON
Hillary graduated from Yale Law School and was the first female partner at the prestigious Rose Law Firm in the States. In 2000 she was elected to the US Senate for the State of New York. After a bruising nomination race for the democrats against Barack Obama, the two put their differences aside and Hillary now serves as Secretary of State for his administration – all of which are firsts for a former first lady.

THE SPORTY LADY – NATALIE DU TOIT
Natalie Du Toit lost her lower leg when she was hit by a car while riding her scooter in 2001. Already making waves in the world of South African swimming (at 16 she only just missed qualifying for the Olympics), she returned to the water a mere six months after the accident. Her greatest achievement has been her ability to close the divide between able bodied athletes and those with disabilities. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics she became the first disabled athlete to compete in able-bodied events in over a century. Natalie recently won one of the sporting world’s most coveted international awards, the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability.

THE HUMANITARIAN – ANGELINA JOLIE
She may be regular tabloid fodder, but Oscar-winner Angelina is also famous for her charity work. In 2009 Forbes magazine voted her the most powerful celebrity in the world, and her position as Goodwill Ambassador for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees illustrates her far-reaching influence. Angie obviously believes in her work – apart from her biological children with partner Brad Pitt, her brood also includes three adopted orphans, Pax, Maddox and Zahara.

THE SCREEN SIREN – MERYL STREEP
Arguably the greatest living actress of our time, Meryl Streep holds the record for the most Academy Award nominations (16) and has won twice. She also holds the record for the most Golden Globe nominations (25), of which she’s won seven. Some of her latest box office hits include The Devil Wears Prada, Mamma Mia! and Julie & Julia.

THE MEDIA TYCOON – OPRAH WINFREY
Ranked the richest black woman in the world by Forbes magazine, the queen of talk is one of the most influential women in media today. In 2006 she signed a deal worth more than R400 million to establish a radio channel with XM Satellite Radio, and announced plans to launch a TV channel, Own (the Oprah Winfrey Net-work). The successful talk-show host also has two magazines, O and O at Home.

THE FASHIONISTA – VIVIENNE WESTWOOD
The eccentric British designer is credited with establishing punk fashion and making it accessible to the general public. Known for sending models down the runway in sky-high platforms that bring even supermodels such as Naomi Campbell to their knees, she’s been awarded British Designer of The Year twice (in 1990 and 1991), was honoured with the Order of the British Empire in 1992, and was made Dame Vivienne Westwood in 2006.

THE MODEL – IMAN
Somalian-born Iman was discovered while at university by American photographer Peter Beard. A year later she moved to New York and landed a fashion spread in American Vogue. She is considered by many to be the first supermodel of colour, paving the way for the likes of Naomi Campbell and Tyra Banks. The beauty has been a muse for Gianni Versace, Calvin Klein and Yves Saint Laurent, and has branched into business as CEO of Iman Cosmetics. She recently received the Fashion Icon award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

THE DIVA – MARIAH CAREY
Mariah has sold over 175 million records worldwide. She became the first artist in history to have five singles top the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and has won five Grammy Awards in her 20-year career. In 2009, Mariah released Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel and also starred in the Oscar-winning flick Precious. Talk of a new album, set to drop in early 2011, has the internet abuzz.