Movers & Shakers - Influential Women
By Linda Lowen, About.com Guide to Women's Issues
In politics, media, business, entertainment, industry, the arts and sciences, and many other fields, influential women are the movers and shakers reshaping society and culture.
Politics

Candidates, elected officials, pundits, and those who achieve the distinction of 'first ever' all cross paths in the political arena and influence policy, opinion, and the larger society.
- Supreme Court Nominee Sonia Sotomayor
- Michelle Obama - First African American First Lady
- Sarah Palin - First Female Republican Vice Presidential Candidate
Media
In many ways, media has the greatest impact as the gatekeeper of information in our society. Our opinions and perspectives are determined by what we read, hear, and see; and print and broadcast media - though challenged by online media - continue to dominate.
Feminism
Throughout history, women have pushed against gender bias and fought for recognition and compensation equal to that of men. The terms used for these women have changed over time, but today women's rights, women's issues, and women's concerns all fall under the umbrella of feminism.
Influential Women in 2008

These were the women who made waves, turned heads, launched a thousand headlines and got people talking in 2008.

