These 20 extraordinary women chosen for the May 2015 issue of Family Circle, the First Annual “20 Most Influential Moms” Awards show how far passion and tenacity can take you, and also bring out the best in others.
It honors women from all walks of life – activists, businesswomen, health professionals, entrepreneurs and celebrities – who are truly passionate and dedicated to their work and continuously strive to make a difference in the world. These remarkable women are strong role models who inspire each and every one of us.
The list includes Jessica Simpson, Jessica Alba, Christy Turlington, Hannah Storm, Lt. Gen. Patricia Horoho, Megan Smith and Alexandra Wilkis Wilson – to name a few.
Check them out:
Jessica Simpson: Jessica Simpson Collection
Jessica launched the Jessica Simpson Collection in 2005, a brand with over 30 product categories from shoes to jewelry. Her business brings in nearly $1 billion a year in retail across the globe.
Holly Robinson Peete: HollyRod Foundation
Founder of the HollyRod Foundation, which offers support to families of children with autism and individuals living with Parkinson’s, Holly is truly dedicated to her cause as her own son has autism.
Christy Turlington: Every Mother Counts
As one of the most successful models in the world, Christy has worked with Maybelline, Calvin Klein and Georgio Armani, among others. The NYU graduate is founder of Every Mother Counts, a nonprofit organization that works to reduce complications that can arise during pregnancy and childbirth by providing women worldwide with access to the care they need.
Jessica Alba: The Honest Company
Well known for her work on the big screen, Jessica founded The Honest Company in 2011 to provide parents with safe, eco-friendly, beautiful, convenient and affordable baby products while emphasizing sustainability and giving back to the community.
Kristi Yamaguchi: Always Dream Foundation
Kristi established the Always Dream Foundation to support the lives of children through educational and recreational activities. As a children’s book author, Kristi’s foundation focuses on childhood literacy and improving the lives of kids everywhere.
Hannah Storm: Hannah Storm Foundation
As the first female host of CNN’s Sports Tonight, Hannah is also the co-anchor of ESPN’s SportsCenter and host of the recurring series Face to Face with Hannah Storm. Back in 2008 she created the Hannah Storm Foundation, which raises awareness and provides treatment for children suffering from debilitating and disfiguring vascular birthmarks.
Sarah Kate Ellis: GLAAD
Sarah, an award winning media executive and communications strategist, who took her activism for LBGT equality to the next level upon stepping into her current role as the CEO and President of GLAAD.
Gretchen Holt Witt: Cookies For Kids’ Cancer
After her son was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a form of nerve cancer, the New Jersey mom started Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, a grassroots fundraising program that raises research funds for children’s cancer treatments.
Shannon Watts: Moms Demand Action
Shannon, the former communications executive is the founder of Moms Demand Action, a group started after the 2012 Sandy Hook shootings that advocates for safe gun laws. Today there is a chapter in every state across the county, and it has become a part of Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention organization in America.
Etharian Cousin: Executive Director of the United Nations
As Executive Director of the United Nations Food Program, Etharian leads the largest humanitarian organization fighting hunger in the world. Her job is to help meet urgent food needs and seek longer-term solutions to food insecurity and hunger globally.
Lt. Gen. Patricia Horoho: U.S. Army Surgeon General
Decorated with multiple military awards, Patricia is a lieutenant general in the U.S. Army and the first woman and first nurse to serve as the U.S. Army’s surgeon general. Also recognized as a “Nurse Hero” by the American Red Cross.
Efrat Roman: CureDiva.com
The Israeli-born writer and photographer, Efrat is a breast cancer survivor, and the founder of CureDiva (curediva.com) which is a lifestyle and fashion virtual community to bring women fighting breast cancer together.
Megan Smith: Chief Technology Officer of the United States
Former VP at Google, Megan was chosen by the White House to guide the federal government’s technology, data and innovation initiatives.
Alexandra Wilkis Wilson: Gilt and GlamSquad
Alexandra led Gilt, the innovative online shopping website from a small startup to a global business and currently serves as a strategic advisor for the company. Her latest venture is GlamSquad, a beauty app for ordering at-home and in-office makeup and hair services.
Nora de Hoyos Comstock: Las Comadres
As founder of Las Comadres, a national networking agency for Latinas that connects more than 20,000 women in 100 cities, Nora leads the charge for this powerful social movement. It provides mentoring, networking and social opportunities to help empower women across the world.
Margaret Hamburg: Former Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
A Harvard graduate and experienced medical doctor, scientist and public health executive, Margaret was appointed as the Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration by Barack Obama in 2009. She has received numerous awards and was named Forbes 51st Most Powerful Woman in 2014.
Bettina Siegel: The Lunch Tray
The former lawyer and freelance writer, Bettina launched a change.org petition that led the USDA to alter its policy on the use of lean, finely textured beef (aka “pink slime”) in cafeterias. She is dedicated to making school food healthier and more appealing to both parents and students.
Rue Mapp: Outdoor Afro
Rue is the CEO and Founder of Outdoor Afro, an organization that strives to reconnect African-American communities with nature and outdoor activities, and most importantly promote overall good health. She also worked with Michelle Obama on the nationwide “Let’s Move” Campaign.
Molly Barker: Girls on the Run and Red Boot Coalition
As the driving force behind Girls on the Run, Molly went on to start the Red Boot Coalition, an organization whose purpose is to get beyond prevalent labels, ideologies and fears by creating safe places for people to engage with one another.
Dana Suskind: Thirty Million Words Initiate and Project Aspire
Founder and director of the Thirty Million Words Initiative, which helps parents create home language environments that optimizes their child’s brain development. Dana is dedicated to encouraging all children to reach their full potential and close that achievement gap.