We honed in on a select few women we admire who are launching and scaling female-forward businesses spanning politics, the economy and culture. Given that International Women’s Day is March 8th – and (go figure) March is also Women’s History Month – we’ve rounded up some of the most influential ladies we know to follow for inspiration. They would make our list any month of the year.
Cameron Russell – @cameronrussell
Followers: 124k
Occupation: Model and activist
What to know: Russell’s leadership began with a TED Talk on the perils of “image,” drawing inspiration from her own experiences as a woman in the fashion industry. She’s since become a vocal advocate for women’s rights, particularly in the realm of sexual harassment; in October 2017, she dedicated her feed to anonymously posting stories like this one on behalf of fellow models who had experienced harrowing incidences of abuse in the fashion industry.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc5B-YqAlBg/
Jodi Kantor – @jodikantor
Followers: 6k
Occupation: Investigative journalist
What to know: Alongside her colleague Megan Twohey, Kantor broke the Harvey Weinstein story for The New York Times, helping to set the stage for the explosive #MeToo and #TimesUp movements, while winning a Pulitzer Prize in the process.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjNV3JnneBE/
Rachel Cargle – @rachel.cargle
Followers: 200k
Occupation: Writer and lecturer
What to know: Pointing to the country’s deep-seeded history of racism and segregation, Cargle makes impassioned arguments on behalf of marginalized women’s voices.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BrbKCo_H80F/
Audrey Gelman – @audreygelman
Followers: 82k
Occupation: CEO and co-founder of The Wing
What to know: Gelman is the embodiment of a the next-generation female executive, thanks in part to The Wing, her pioneering, female-only work space and community. She’s highly engaged in political issues, often working from a local level to shore up support for progressive candidates.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhJwFmrHxcE/
Samantha Rothenberg – @violetclair
Followers: 67k
Occupation: Comic and illustrator
What to know: Using Instagram as her medium, Rothenberg has developed a loyal following for her bitingly funny and often-acerbic comics that are largely focused on dating, love and relationships – all with a feminist twist. No subject is off limits – from oral sex to the shameless marketing of yogurt to women, Rothenberg tackles it all, often with LOL results.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BVM8oG9DLwj/
Tammy Duckworth – @senduckworth
Followers: 45k
Occupation: U.S. Senator for Illinois
What to know: Duckworth is the first sitting senator to give birth while in office, breaking new ground for women. A former Iraq vet who lost both of her legs in combat, Duckworth is a vocal advocate for affordable childcare for all.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtTI7uxnOMq/
Liz Plank – @feministabulous
Followers: 175k
Occupation: Journalist and host of Vox Media’s “Consider It”
What to know: Highly engaged on issues like gender equality, Plank is a fierce advocate for women and minorities, including POC and the LGBTQ community. Besides her own program on Vox Media, she’s also a regular political commentator on outlets like MSNBC.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BuKg2xohLYA/
Whitney Wolfe Herd – @whitney
Followers: 101k
Occupation: Founder and CEO, Bumble
What to know: By changing the male-oriented dynamic around dating with her trailblazing app, Bumble, Herd is a staunch advocate for women’s rights. Herd is particularly passionate about supporting women in business, launching the Bumble Fund to contribute VC capital to female-led businesses.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Boz79ciDCuF/
