WOMEN OF THE YEAR
Every day across our country, USA TODAY’s Women of the Year lead and inspire, promote and fight for equity, give others a place to seek help and find hope.
They are strong and resilient women who have been champions of change and courage, often quietly, but with powerful results. And often despite their own challenges.
Some of the women may be familiar names. Others may be new to you. Each has an inspiring and powerful story.
USA TODAY’s Women of the Year program follows the successful Women of the Century project, which highlighted achievements of trailblazing women in the 100 years since they won the right to vote.
Meet these exceptional Women of the Year
Women across America
Meet the USA TODAY Women of the Year honorees in every state, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Read their stories
Vice President Kamala Harris was our first honoree
The first woman vice president, and the first Black and South Asian person to hold that office, has a message for American women: “You are strong.” Harris, who has devoted her career to championing change and fighting for equity, talked with USA TODAY as our first Women of the Year honoree. She talked about how the pandemic “magnified” gender inequalities, as well as the women who had a profound impact on who she is. Read the story
Nominate a woman
Nominate a woman for her leadership or resilience for USA TODAY’s Women of the Year project. We’re looking for women who are advocates for equity, inspire change, lift up others and give everyday women a place to see themselves. Fill out our form
Podcast: Hear their voices
Listen to personal stories of perseverance from USA TODAY’s Women of the Year. There are names you know like Simone Biles and Melinda French Gates, plus women you’ll get to know better in these vulnerable, authentic interviews that will inspire and recharge your motivation and drive. Pulitzer-winning columnist Connie Schultz hosts the weekly series, with new episodes dropping on Thursdays. Find it anywhere you get your podcasts.
Honorees reflect America
While their stories are as diverse as the Women of the Year honorees themselves, there are similar threads: A belief in education and, often, a higher power. Gratitude for parents, especially moms. The learned wisdom that many of life’s challenges are surmountable, especially with teamwork and determination. Read the column
Womankind
Womankind, an inspiring video series from the Humankind franchise, showcases the untold stories of everyday women doing incredible things. The women of Womankind are entrepreneurs, small business owners, children, mentors, volunteers, teachers, pilots, mothers, friends, grandmothers. They are changing the world one act, one business, one relationship at a time. Watch more
Get inspired
Our special Women of the Year show featuring honorees sharing life lessons and inspiring advice premiered March 29 on USA TODAY’s YouTube and Facebook channels and on the USA TODAY channel available on most smart televisions and devices.
‘Courage is the strength to do what faith says you have to do’
USA TODAY editor-in-chief Nicole Carroll shares hard-earned insights and advice from the Women of the Year. Learn how they’ve faced challenges or setbacks that made them fight harder and achieve great things in their fields or their communities. Read the column
Donate to tomorrow’s leaders
Girls Inc., a nonprofit organization focused on supporting, mentoring and developing girls and nurturing their strengths, is the official charity of this year’s USA TODAY Women of the Year program. To further the group’s work in growing women leaders, the Gannett Foundation has awarded Girls Inc. a $25,000 grant. Make a contribution
Girls Inc. CEO: Step up, be a mentor
Too often, young women – particularly those who face intersecting challenges such as racial bias, poverty, and adverse childhood experiences – lack access to tools to help them grow into leaders. We all have to find a way to reach back and help mentor them. Read the opinion column
Make a statement
Shop USA TODAY’s Women of the Year exclusive merchandise collection and champion women’s equity. Shop the collection
Women of the Century
USA TODAY’s Women of the Century project in 2020 highlighted achievements of trailblazing women in the 100 years since they won the right to vote. Explore the stories, podcast, augmented reality experience and more. Explore
Read the Women of the Century Q&As:
Rita Moreno: On bravery, her journey and the importance of listening
Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha: Lead was poisoning water in Flint, Michigan. She put her reputation on the line to prove it
Ruby Bridges: She was 6 when she walked into a segregated school. Now she teaches children to get past racial differences
Billie Jean King: On her journey for equal rights in tennis, life: ‘No one ever has it easy’
Jessie ‘Little Doe’ Baird: The language had gone quiet. Remarkably, she brought it back, saving far more than just words
Tarana Burke: On the power of empathy, the building block of the Me Too movement
Cristina Jiménez Moreta: She helped get DACA, now she helps young immigrants find their voice
Dolores Huerta: At 90, the labor leader still works to make a difference
Gloria Estefan: ‘Be in each and every moment, that’s the only thing you really have that’s guaranteed’
Madeleine Albright: On how she became secretary of state, speaking up as a woman and the importance of calling out wrongs
Selection panel
How did we choose USA TODAY’s Women of the Year? It started with nominations from you. In the end, diverse panel of experts helped to identify our final honorees. The panel was crucial in our work, and we are grateful for their time and effort. Learn more
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Melinda French Gates, Simone Biles: USA TODAY's Women of The Year
