Overview

• A UK survey of 4,000 adults ranked Michelle Obama, Katie Piper, and the late Dame Deborah James as the top three most empowering women of the past 25 years.
• The top 20 list includes figures from diverse fields, such as Tina Turner, Greta Thunberg, Malala Yousafzai, and fictional character Bridget Jones.
• Honesty, kindness, and intelligence were identified as the most valued traits in role models, according to the study.
• Generational differences emerged, with Gen Z more likely to look to influencers and online content, while older generations often avoid seeking role models altogether.
• The survey underscores the workplace and authentic digital narratives as key sources of inspiration for discovering relatable role models.