Posted by Renee Schmidt

Forbes has published its list of 100 Most Powerful Women for 2012, with Angela Merkel on top, recognizing the achievements and contributions of women from all around the world. The list, edited by editor Mary Ellen Egan, is based on economic impact and visibility of leading women around the globe and all walks of life.

Over the past decade, women have achieved everything from hottest celebrity in the fashion world to head of state. To tribute female contribution, let’s have a look at some of the most influential women from Forbes’ list of 100 Most Powerful Women.

Angela Merkel: Angela Merkel is at top of the list for second consecutive year. She was also in the top spot from 2007 to 2009. She lost rank in 2010, a hot year for Michelle Obama, who topped the list, replacing the German power-woman.

Angela Merkel is the first female chancellor of Germany, an honor that speaks for itself. She is only the second woman to chair the G8. She has been president of the European Council and came in at number 4 on Forbes’ list of Most Powerful People in the World.

Angela Merkel is one of the most influential women to ever live. She’s seen as playing a crucial role in managing the financial crisis at the European and international level, and has been referred to a “the de facto leader of the European Union”. She has received various awards and prizes including the Vision for Europe Award, the Charlemagne Prize, the Leo Baeck Medal, and the B’nail B’rith Europe Award of Merit.

Hillary Clinton: Hillary Clinton is comes in at the number two spot on Forbes list of 100 Most Powerful Women. She is among the most influential women of the last decade, inspiring hundreds of women around the world.

Hillary Clinton went to Yale Law School where she remained on the Board of Editors of the Yale Review of Law and Social Action. It was Yale where she met future president Bill Clinton and started dating him.

Not only did Hillary Clinton play a significant role as first-lady in the mid-90’s, in the last decade she’s made influential decisions as Senator and later Secretary of State, a position she currently holds.

Dilma Rouseff: Dilam Rousseff is Brazilian president and the first woman to hold this position in the country. She is a powerful president, bringing many corrupt government officials to justice. Today, many people believe that Brazil is on its way to becoming a leading world economy – most credit to Dilma Rouseff for embarking the country along the correct path. She has made decisions that powerful men in the country were afraid to make.

Early on in her life, Dilma was involved in an armed struggle supporting Marxism, however, she later changed her views, stopping support of Marxism and all military regimes.

Other powerhouses on the list include tech mavens Sheryl Sandberg of Facebook and Marissa Mayer of Yahoo. One the list are also Sonia Gandhi from India, Melinda Gates, Michelle Obama, Janet Napolitano, Oprah Winfrey, and Lady Gaga. These women have proved over the years that we don’t live in a mans world. Women with gusto, the right attitude and a passion for achievements can easily lead the way.

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