5 Women Who Exemplify Leadership & Determination in Their Field
Leadership isn’t determined by titles or positions. Instead, it’s defined by courage, resilience, and the drive to make an impact. In every industry, some women rise above the rest, carving their paths with determination and inspiring those around them.
These women aren’t just breaking glass ceilings — they’re creating new opportunities for others to follow. These five women show what it means to lead with heart, strength, and vision. Whether in the boardrooms, on the front lines, or in the creative world, their stories are a reminder of what’s possible when you work with purpose.
Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai’s journey is one of unimaginable courage. She grew up in Pakistan and defied the Taliban’s ban on girls’ education by blogging about her life under their oppressive regime. After surviving a targeted attack, Malala became a global symbol of resilience.
As the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate, Malala has dedicated her life to advocating for girls’ education through the Malala Fund. Her leadership is about empowering young girls to pursue their dreams, no matter their obstacles.
Reshma Saujani
Resha Saujani is a pioneer in the tech industry, working tirelessly to close the gender gap in coding. As the founder of Girls Who Code, she has created an incredible platform that encourages girls to pursue careers in technology, equipping them with the skills to succeed in a field where women are vastly underrepresented.
Resha’s leadership is driven by a mission to break barriers and build a future where women thrive in tech. Her message is clear: Women can code, innovate, and lead just as well as anyone else.
Evy Poumpouras
Evy Poumpouras’ leadership journey began in the high-stakes world of law enforcement. As a former Secret Service agent, she has worked at the highest levels of security, protecting some of the world’s prominent leaders. Her career is a testament to the power of mental and physical strength in a male-dominated field.
After retiring, Evy turned her expertise into a mission to empower others. Through her book, Becoming Bulletproof, she offers valuable advice on self-defense, confidence, and mental resilience. She teaches women to trust their instincts, stay safe, and assert their strength. With minor and daily adjustments, you can develop these attributes.
Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama redefined what it means to be a leader, not just in her role as first lady, but through her advocacy and personal journey as well. She led initiatives like “Let’s Move!” to combat childhood obesity and “Reach Higher” to encourage young people to pursue higher education.
However, Michelle’s leadership goes beyond her public campaigns — it’s rooted in her authenticity and the way she uses her platform to empower others. With her bestselling memoir Becoming, Michelle opened up about her personal challenges, triumphs, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.
Sara Blakely
Sara Blakely is a prime example of how sheer determination and innovative thinking can lead to success. As the founder of Spanx, Sara turned a $5,000 investment into a billion-dollar empire, revolutionizing the shapewear industry.
With many rejections before her breakthrough, her journey wasn’t easy. However, her resilience paid off, and today, she is one of the youngest self-made female billionaires. Beyond her business, Sara is committed to empowering women and encouraging other female entrepreneurs through the Sara Blakely Foundation.
Leading the way
Each of these women show that leadership isn’t defined by the title you hold — it’s about the impact you make and the example you set for others. Through their courage, innovation, and passion, they are paving the way for future generations of women to lead and succeed.
Cora Gold is the Editor-in-Chief of women’s lifestyle magazine, Revivalist. She has a passion for writing about ways to live a happy, healthy, and fulfilling life, especially for new moms.