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, resilient women who have championed change and courage, often quietly, but with powerful results. And often despite their own challenges.

Some of the women may be household 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 the accomplishments of trailblazing women in the 100 years since they won the right to vote.

Coming soon:

Meet the USA TODAY Women of the Year winners in every state, Washington, DC and Puerto Rico. Read their stories

The first female vice president, and the first black and South Asian person to hold the position, has a message for American women: “You are strong.” Harris, who has dedicated her career to championing change and fighting for fairness, spoke to USA TODAY as the inaugural Women of the Year winner. She explained how the pandemic has “amplified” gender inequalities, as well as the women who have had a profound impact on who she is. read the story

While their stories are as diverse as the Women of the Year winners themselves, there are similar common threads: A belief in nurturing 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 column

Womankind, an inspirational video series from the Humankind franchise, features the untold stories of everyday women doing amazing things. Womankind women 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

Our Women of the Year special featuring award winners sharing life lessons and inspirational advice will premiere March 29 on USA TODAY’s YouTube and Facebook channels and on the USA TODAY channel available on most TVs. and smart devices. Learn more

Girls Inc., a nonprofit organization focused on supporting, mentoring and developing girls and building their strengths, is the official charity of this year’s USA TODAY Women of the Year program. To advance the group’s work in growing women leaders, the Gannett Foundation awarded Girls Inc. a $25,000 grant. Make a contribution

Too often, young women – especially those who face intersecting challenges such as racial prejudice, poverty and negative childhood experiences – don’t have access to the tools to help them become leaders. We all need to find a way to reach out to them and frame them. Read the opinion column

USA TODAY’s 2020 Women of the Century Project highlighted the accomplishments of trailblazing women in the 100 years since they won the right to vote. Explore stories, podcast, augmented reality experience and more. To explore

Read the questions and answers about the women of the century:

• Rita Moreno: On bravery, its journey and the importance of listening
• Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha: Lead was poisoning the water in Flint, Michigan. She put her reputation on the line to prove it
• Ruby Bridges: She was 6 years old when she entered a segregationist school. Now she teaches children to overcome racial differences
• Billie Jean King: On his journey for equal rights in tennis, life: “Nobody ever has it easy”
• Jessie ‘Little Doe’ Baird: The tongue was silent. Remarkably, she brought it back, saving more than just words
• Tarana Burk: On the power of empathy, a cornerstone of the Me Too movement
• Cristina Jimenez Moreta: She helped get DACA, now she’s helping young immigrants find their voice
• Helen Zia: She has seen hostility toward Asian Americans before. “We have not learned enough or some have forgotten”
• Dolores Huerta: At 90, the union leader is still working to make a difference
• Gloria Estefan: “Being in every moment is the only thing you really have that’s guaranteed”
• Madeline Albright: How She Became Secretary of State, Speaking as a Woman, and the Importance of Calling Out Wrongs

Nominate a woman for her leadership or resilience for USA TODAY’s Women of the Year Project. We’re looking for women who champion equity, inspire change, uplift others, and give everyday women a place to see themselves. Fill out our form

Hear personal stories of perseverance from USA TODAY’s Women of the Year. There are names you know like Simone Biles and Melinda French Gates, as well as women you’ll get to know better in these vulnerable and authentic interviews that will inspire and recharge your motivation and drive. Pulitzer-winning columnist Connie Schultz hosts the weekly series, with new episodes airing Thursdays, starting April 7. Find it wherever you get your podcasts.

How did we choose USA TODAY’s Women of the Year? It all started with nominations from you. Ultimately, a diverse panel of experts helped identify our final winners. The panel has been crucial to our work, and we are grateful for their time and effort. Learn more

Published
10:11 UTC on March 13, 2022
Update
4:43 PM UTC on March 13, 2022