This year, instead of doing its annual “most desirable women in the world” list, Askmen focused on what makes women outstanding in their own right.
We enlisted experts from different publications, and then asked Askmen readers to vote on their top choices. We then tallied the votes, weighed what the judges had to say, and thought long and hard about which outstanding women were affecting our lives right now.
Here are the top 20.
20. Nicki Minaj
Don't make the mistake of not taking Nicki Minaj seriously. Despite her pop hits, she's proven she can out-rap every man in the business when she's so inclined, and 2014's critically acclaimed The Pinkprint saw doing so — while still showing a more vulnerable side. Oh, and topping the charts, too.
"I'm not chasing anything, I'm just doing me... The Pinkprint was just about me showing what the culture should be about. I think the culture should be about skill. Practice makes perfect, and I really worked at that: whether hearing a beat, knowing what my audience wanted from me, knowing what kinds of beat I shined on." — Nicki Minaj for the #CRWN interview series
FACT: Minaj has stated that she had to learn to be a “vulnerable woman” and open up about her emotions for her most recent album, The Pinkprint. — Yahoo
19. Veronica Roth
The YA author of the Divergent trilogy became a bestseller at 24, when she was not much older than her target audience. With another sci-fi series in the works (not to mention a second installment of the Divergent film franchise), she's poised to be 2015's most successful scribe.
There are a lot of people around me who are doing a lot of remarkable things, so to me, I don't know, [this book] is just a thing I did. It worked out well, which is very fortunate, [but] the thing about books is that you don't know how people are going to receive it... so the way I feel about it is, it was just kind the right time and it found the right people. — Veronica Roth to Huffington Post
FACT: Because of the stigma against genre fiction, Roth was reluctant to share excerpts from her Divergent series at the Northwestern creative writing program she attended. — Huffington Post
18. Ava DuVernay
With "Selma," DuVernay became the first black female director to ever receive an Oscar nom for Best Picture. Though the Academy snubbed her for Best Director, the film was a tour de force that DuVernay willed into existence, despite being unable to use MLK's most famous speeches for legal reasons. Either way, film fans should be excited for her next project.
The "first" of it all is the bittersweet part. I'm certainly not the first black woman deserving of this. You can't tell me that since 1943 there's not been another black woman who's made something worthy of this kind of recognition. But for whatever reason it hasn't happened. [I just hope] that we get through all the “firsts”' that we can just get to the good stuff and that people can just make their work and move on. — Ava DuVernay to USA Today
FACT: Oprah commissioned DuVernay to work on a TV adaptation of the novel Sugar Queen. — The Guardian
17. Amy Poehler
Poehler is the first lady of funny. She can roast a celeb like no other (see this year's Golden Globes), bring depth to the craziest of characters (see Sisters, with her lady-bro Tina Fey, out later this year), and write a must-read, ROFL-able memoir (see Yes Please). Wait, did we mention her awesome site Amy Poehler's Smart Girls, dedicated to improving young women's lives?
"Girls have to fight against a lot of the same stuff we did growing up...peer pressure, exploitation, etc. But what worries me the most is this trend that caring about something isn't cool. That it's better to comment on something than to commit to it. That it's so much cooler to be unmotivated and indifferent. Our culture can get so snarky and ironic sometimes and we kind of wanted Smart Girls to celebrate the opposite of that." — Amy Poehler to Feminist
FACT: Poehler runs her own YouTube series called “Ask Amy,” in which she dispenses wit and wisdom to her fans. — Huffington Post
16. Laverne Cox
Laverne's role as transgender Orange Is the New Black inmate Sophia Burset has gone a long way toward reshaping the conversation about trans rights. Getting a transgender woman to play a transgender character was a huge step in the right direction, and the subsequent Time magazine cover on which she posed only helped amplify that. The struggle for LGBTQ equality may be far from over, but Cox's success is inspiring, and a sign of more changes to come.
"I think there are more media representations that young trans people can look to and say, 'That’s me,' in an affirming way. There’s just so many resources out there now that it makes you feel like you’re less alone and gives some sort of sense of, “OK, this is who I am and this is what I’m going through.” — Laverne Cox to Time
FACT: Cox was the first transgender woman to grace the cover ofTime magazine. —Yahoo
15. Tracy Chou
Tracy Chou is a software engineer and tech lead at Pinterest, but she's also known for being outspoken about gender inequality in the tech world. In 2014, she pushed startups and tech giants alike to publish their diversity stats and got major results, with Microsoft, Apple, Google and dozens more releasing their (sometimes depressing) company demographics. — Chloe Albanesius, executive editor, news & features, PCMag.com
"Our vision is to help people live inspired lives — people across the world, from all walks of life. We only stand to improve the quality and impact of our products if the people building them are representative of the user base and reflect the same diversity of demography, culture, life experiences and interests that makes our community so vibrant." — Tracy Chou on diversity at Pinterest
FACT: Chou isn’t just an expert coder — she also loves rock climbing. It relieves stress and allows her to push herself. — Vogue
14. Mindy Kaling
Mindy Kaling has gone from being the only female writer on the staff of The Office (yup, she wrote for it and was a cast member) to being the star and director of her own sitcom, The Mindy Project, now in its third season. She's also a role model for people of color, who have been bafflingly underrepresented on mainstream TV in recent years.
"I think I've always wanted to be a role model, and I think ... everyone should try to live their life like they'd like to be a role model. I think it's like the thing keeping me out of jail. ... It's good for me mentally, selfishly, and it's also nice to try to do that for, especially, younger women." — Mindy Kaling to NPR
FACT: Before her big break on The Office, Kaling made a name for herself parodying Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, who later starred in a Super Bowl commercial with her. — Yahoo
13. Camille Leblanc-Bazinet
"Fittest Woman on Earth" is a hefty title, but after winning the 2014 Reebok Games, Camille Leblanc-Bazinet can safely make that claim. The Quebec native stands just 5'2" but packs a lot of muscle due to her stringent workout routine and tireless work ethic. It's a family affair for Camille, as her parents own a CrossFit gym and she is often seen exercising with her sisters and brother. If that's not enough, she also studies chemical engineering at the University of Sherbrooke in her spare time. — Andy Gray, senior producer, SI.com
"I see a lot more girls and women, and even guys, all of a sudden now look up to me to help them become a better version of themselves. I think that's the coolest thing." — Camille Leblanc-Bazinet
FACT: Leblanc-Bazinet loves to spot other CrossFitters in public, usually recognizing them by their shoes. — AskMen
12. Michelle Obama
In Michelle Obama's final full year as FLOTUS, she’s continuing her tireless work to improve Americans’ lives through diet and exercise, a cause that all too often goes ignored considering its serious effects on the health of the nation. She also manages to make time for goofy appearances in viral videos alongside the likes of LeBron and Beyoncé. If there’s one way to get through to lazy kids, that’s it. And, call us crazy, but if the first first lady to later be president isn't Hillary...
"My education is the starting point for every opportunity in my life. When we put limits on women's lives, we stifle their full potential." — Michelle Obama for Let Girls Learn
FACT: The U.S. government has allocated $250 million for the Let Girls Learn project, which was created by Michelle and Barack Obama. — Huffington Post
11. Ashley Graham
Graham’s historic Sports Illustrated Swimsuit ad and well-earned spot on IMG’s roster has made her one of the most recognized plus-size models in the world. But her advocacy work with ALDA, a coalition of models who aim to expand the definition of beauty, is what really makes the 27-year-old stunner one to watch. Having smart, confident and cool women like Graham promoting body equality and self-acceptance is what the fashion industry needs. Not only does she represent a long overdue shift in beauty standards, but she is also proof that you don’t have to fit into anyone’s box. — Dana Oliver, executive fashion & beauty editor, Huffington Post
"I know my curves are sexy and I want everyone else to know that theirs are too. There is no reason to hide and every reason to flaunt." — Ashley Graham for Swimsuits for All
FACT: Graham’s lingerie commercials were once banned on FOX and ABC. — Huffington Post
10. Serena Williams
Best female tennis player in the world? All in a day's work. How about this for longevity — she's also the oldest to ever occupy the No. 1 position. One side, pretenders to the throne. Serena Williams has won four gold medals in women's tennis, a record matched only by her twin sister, Venus, and just won the Australian Open earlier this year. Since that's not enough to keep her busy, Williams runs her own fashion line and is reportedly working on a script for a TV series. Game, set, watch.
We already know about her skills on the tennis court. But over the past year, she's softened her off-the-court image and become one of my favorite professional athletes. — Andy Gray, senior producer,SI.com
FACT: Serena refused to compete at Indian Wells ever since fans relentlessly booed her and her sister there in 2001, but returned this year. — Rolling Stone
9. Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Lawrence is a Hollywood rarity: box-office dynamite (Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 was the second-highest-grossing film of 2014), genuine acting chops (one Oscar and two other noms at just 24) and a totally genuine personality. When hackers leaked nude photos in 2014, she condemned them strongly and helped reroute the narrative on celebrity nude leaks. Next up? She could do pretty much anything she wants at this point, but get ready for Mockingjay - Part 2 in November — it's going to be a big one.
"Just because I’m a public figure, just because I’m an actress, does not mean that I asked for this. It does not mean that it comes with the territory. It’s my body, and it should be my choice." — Vanity Fair profile
FACT: JLaw loves to sing, but she claims she sounds “like a deer that has been caught in a fence.” — Huffington Post
8. Amal Clooney
Of course, marrying some famous Hollywood actor will put anyone in the spotlight, but Amal Clooney, née Alamuddin, is a perfect example of the kind of woman who doesn't get enough respect, considering her brains, talent and the work she's put into achieving success in her field. She's a high-powered human rights lawyer who boasts as much brains as glamor, and we're glad the world got to know her a little better this year.
Amal Clooney came into the spotlight this year when she married George Clooney, but she made a name for herself long before her wedding as a top human rights lawyer. She has fought to protect children from sexual violence in conflict zones and investigated war crimes in Gaza. — Jennifer Polland, senior editor, lists & travel, Business Insider
FACT: Amal Clooney has been threatened with arrest in Egypt for publicly exposing flaws in their judicial system. — Yahoo
7. Beyoncé
If anyone runs the world these days, it may be the fierce Beyoncé. A relatively quiet year for her still included a lucrative tour with her husband (and accompanying celeb-studded short film), rebranding herself as a genuine feminist icon, and, with all due respect to Beck, an empty spot on the mantelpiece where her Best Album Grammy should have been. What happens when she drops her next album? The roar of fans will be deafening.
Humanity requires both men and women, and we are equally important and need one another. So why are we viewed as less than equal? — Beyoncé's essay for the Shriver Report
FACT: Beyoncé is a big supporter of Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign. — Huffington Post
6. Elizabeth Holmes
We've always thought in terms of making a million by age 30, but Elizabeth Holmes is thinking more in terms of billions — 4.5 of them, to be exact. The 31-year-old's health tech company, Theranos, has made her the youngest female billionaire in the world, but her goal is to completely change the landscape of how Americans think about their health by making blood tests fast, simple and affordable. In this case, convenience actually can save lives.
"Who likes having blood drawn? No one, that's who. I can only hope that Elizabeth Holmes' invention makes its way to my doctor's office one day, so I can avoid the stress of watching a nurse hunt for veins (and the occasional fainting spell)." — Chloe Albanesius, executive editor, news & features, PCMag.com
FACT: Holmes is the youngest woman and third youngest person on the list of global billionaires. — Business Insider
5. Lindsey Vonn
Lindsey Vonn currently holds the world record for women's World Cup skiing wins and just bagged her 64th. This makes her, yes, the greatest female skier of all time, and just second-best ever if you include the other half of the population. She's also a warrior who has survived injury and personal upheaval and keeps coming back strong. When it comes to taking down a mountain, there is simply no one on Vonn's level.
"Known as the most successful female ski racer in American history — and quickly gaining on "all time" status — Lindsey Vonn is one of the few world-class, four-event ski racers." — U.S. Ski Team official site
FACT: Vonn is represented by Under Armour, while her boyfriend Tiger Woods is sponsored by Nike — and the pair often argue over who has the better brand backing them. — AskMen
4. Taylor Swift
Their fates may be forever entwined, but it's coincidental that Taylor Swift's career arc is starting to look a bit like Kanye's. After a strong first few albums that made her a fan favorite within her own genre, she's broken through to the mainstream to become a genuine megastar, and there's no looking back. Her LP 1989 was the best-selling album of 2014, and she took on the role of brand ambassador for New York City.
"It’s rare for an artist on Taylor Swift’s superstar level to create so many unique experiences that consistently give back to the fans. Despite Taylor’s absolute rise to stardom in the past several years, she’s never neglected her fans, growing closer to them year after year." — VEVO VP Content & Programming JP Evangelista
FACT: Swift is known for her incredible relationship with fans, which included offering one heartbroken woman relationship advice over Tumblr. — Huffington Post
3. Kim Kardashian
Those who know Kim from Keeping Up With the Kardashians might be quick to write her off. But if you step back and take a look at the facts, Kim has managed to flip Z-level fame into A-list status through pure business savvy. TV show, check. Perfume line? Check. Coffee-table book? Check. Biggest mobile app of 2014? Check, please. If anyone could break the internet, it's Kim K. She's a force to be reckoned with.
"I hope to have a bigger presence in the tech world. I love coming up with different app ideas, and I have a few more that are coming out. Once you get started and you have this creative bug of ideas that you want to get out, I feel like I've partnered with the right team, and now I have the creative outlet to make that happen." — Kim Kardashian to Adweek
FACT: Kim Kardashian is one of Time magazine's 30 most influential people online. — Huffington Post
2. Ronda Rousey
Whatever you do, don't tell Ronda Rousey she fights like a girl. For one, as the recent #LikeAGirl hashtag made abundantly clear, it's time to drop an antiquated insult like that. For two, if she fights like anything, she fights like a winner. Proof? Take her 14-second takedown of Cat Zingano at UFC 184 — the fastest in UFC history. Meanwhile, with no real rivals in sight, she's elbowing her way into pop culture, with upcoming roles in Furious 7 and Entourage. Ronda's on top of the world right now. Look out, everyone else.
"She's committed to growing the sport — and she downplays the whole role model thing, but there's no bigger role model in all of sports than this woman right here. And not just to little girls, not just to women, to men too." — UFC president Dana White
FACT: Rousey’s pre-fight breakfast is typically eggs, turkey bacon, spinach and... Himalayan salt. — Business Insider
1. Emma Watson
Hermione Granger is courageous, loyal and moral to a fault — she embodies the best of J.K. Rowling's wizarding world. So it's fitting that the little girl who was cast to play her back in 1999 would grow up to become a woman not so different from the fictional heroine she embodied. The 24-year-old Watson has noble pursuits in mind. Her alignment with the United Nations' HeForShe campaign has made her the face of feminism right now, and she's helping change the way men think about women. Now that's power.
"Emma Watson is so many incredible things at once — rich, successful, famous, stylish, beautiful, intelligent, personable, kind. And yet, rather than be content with a life of luxury, she's thrown her back into a serious social issue in an effort to shift the way our society treats women." — James Bassil, AskMen Publisher
FACT: Watson used to be labeled “bossy” for wanting to direct her school plays. — AskMen
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