The Matriarchy Power List: 29 Women Who Took Over The World In 2018
DECEMBER 17 2018
Because the present is female. And these are the women making history.
The year of our Lordesse 2018 proved historically traumatic (#MeToo reckonings, all things Trump), triumphant (midterm victories), and transformative for America, particularly American women, with an unprecedented number now assuming their rightful place as leadership, tastemakers, and decision-makers across art, politics, and culture. So, what’s next and who’s in charge? Refinery29 has chosen the 29 women actively reshaping American culture in their image—and yours. Because the patriarchy as we know it is over. This is the age of a new Matriarchy...and it’s here to stay.
Some 200 men fell in the aftermath of #MeToo. But there have always been exceptionally qualified women ready, willing and able to take over.
Writing for The Cut in December 2017, Suki Kim chronicled the inappropriate behavior of public radio host John Hockenberry. Five months later, WNYC named Vega, a longtime journalist for CNN and The New York Times, the host of popular morning show The Takeaway.
Amanpour
For over 30 years, Amanpour has been an on-air reporter celebrated for her absolutely fearless war coverage. PBS first named her interim replacement when Rose was ousted after he faced harassment accusations from over 30 women, and was named his permanent replacement last May.
The accusations against and subsequent resignation of Roy Price was big Hollywood news. Price was nearly omnipotent, and reportedly chose not into invest in some highly successful female-led shows. Determined to topple Netflix, Amazon then tapped NBC veteran Salke to take over. So far, she’s made some exciting moves, including partnerships with Blake Lively and Nicole Kidman.
The Martin Agency
You’ve certainly seen the work of this ad firm: Geico, Hanes, Walmart, and Oreo, to name a few. Joe Alexander had been with the agency for more than 26 years when he was ousted facing allegations from 10 women and 1 man. Costello was promoted back in January. Check out our feature story here on how things at the agency actually went down after women were promoted to top..
Justice League
It was big news when DC announced that Javins would be the editor taking over the Justice League line, after the ousting of Eddie Berganza. She started her career at Marvel, but now she’s a star at the competition.
Few announce their own takeover, but that’s exactly what White did when famed New Orleans chef John Besh stepped down from his restaurant group after 25 women accused him of sexual harassment. White has been working to repair the culture of the restaurant group, even inviting journalists to document the process.
at Nike
Montagne has been at Nike for 13 years, and her promotion was welcomed after a revolt and house cleaning at Nike (including Jayme Martin's ousting) led to calls for more diversity at its highest ranks.
2019 promises to be a watershed year in American politics. After a historic midterms, we voted and elected an unprecedented number of women into office.
James was already the first black woman elected to City office in New York, when she became the Public Advocate in 2013. Now, she’s the first ever black woman to serve as the state’s Attorney General following the resignation of Eric Schneiderman.
Several high profile politicians fell in the #MeToo reckoning — from Al Franken and Tony Cornish in Minnesota, to Stephen Bittel in Florida, and Raul Bocanegra in California, leading to special elections and appointments across the country including Tina Smith, Terrie Rizzo, Karla Bigham, and Luz Rivas.
She's baaacck! Nancy Pelosi is the most powerful woman in government, and arguably the most polarizing. Love her, hate her, or think the Democrats need fresh blood: You can't say she's not an effective behind the scenes operator, even if her whole persona comes off as too establishment for the moment.
Majority rules! While women won big on a national scale this November, in Nevada they almost took over: Jacky Rosen beat Dean Heller to become the second female U.S. Senator in the state (the other is Senator Catherine Cortez Masto). Along with Reps. Susie Lee and Dina Titus -- Nevada’s congressional delegation is now 67% women. Bonus: At the state level, women will be the majority in the Assembly.
This is what we call results: a record 116 women were elected to Congress, joining 10 incumbents and 5 delegates, and their work begins January 3rd. There’s still a ways to go for parity on the hill, however: This number represents only 24% of Congress. Next hurdle: 2020. Download our commemorative poster here!
Tanzina Vega
Christiane Amanpour
Jennifer Salke
Karen Costello
From speaking up for peers to putting their career on the line to make a point, these entertainers made a difference in their industry in 2018.
Ready for it. Swift stood up for other musicians amidst a landmark record deal negotiation. Using her superstar power, the singer-songwriter collectively bargained with Universal Music Group so that all artists on the massive label would receive a small percentage of its stake in Spotify.
We’ve said this before: Red Table Talk is excellent stuff. In an era chock full of the engineered drama of reality TV, who could have guessed that a show where women just talk to each other would be soul food. Pinkett Smith puts it all on the table with the women in her life — her mother, her daughter, her frenemy, her husband's ex-wife, and her white girlfriends. You don't even hear normal people being this honest in therapy.
We didn’t get a female President, but at least we got one on House of Cards when Kevin Spacey was fired. Claire Underwood said it best: “It’s my turn.”
Whittaker is the first female Doctor in the 55 year history of beloved British sci-fi cult fave Doctor Who. Ratings are way up, so all the sexist #NotMyDoctor tweets can just go away now.
Even for established actors, it’s hard to leave a steady job after trauma. Bush left NBC show Chicago P.D. because of what she describes as a toxic environment, one where she says was allegedly assaulted in a room full of male colleagues who refused to help her. "I quit because ...I've been so programmed to be a good girl and to be a workhorse and be a tugboat ...ahead of my own health,” she said recently.
Good mornings only from now on, because starting the day with two female anchors on The Today Show is exactly what we need. Last November, when Kotb and Guthrie held hands and looked into the camera to bluntly explain Matt Lauer’s firing, no one knew if NBC execs would let the arrangement last. Now, these women have taken the reins of this morning show behemoth — and they’re here to stay.
After some 60 movies in recent years and decades of virtually zero franchise-leading female superheroes, Marvel Studios finally reverses its course with Oscar winner (and Time’s Up activist) Larson — who’s guaranteed to kick ass in the title role.
Marie Javins
Shannon White
Being the first woman in any leadership position is a death-defying feat; after all, once you’ve shattered the glass ceiling, you must find a way to remain aloft in that high, high perch without falling (or being pushed).
of the NYSE
Among boys clubs Wall Street has long been the ultimate. But now a woman runs one of the most important, prestigious institutions on the street: Cunningham started as an intern and trading floor clerk at the New York Stock Exchange in ‘90s. Now, she’s the exchange’s first female President in its 226-year history. Take that, bros.
General Motors
GM is ahead of the curve when it comes to women in the C-suite: In 2013, they named Mary Barra the first female CEO. Earlier this year, the automaker named Suryadevara the company’s first female CFO. She’s also making bank while she’s doing it. Get that money.
Amy Montagne
Letitia James
Luz Rivas
This year, the number of female Fortune 500 CEOs dropped — leading many to worry of a devolution. But female execs are not going away. Here’s proof.
Buttery goodness. Ford’s ascension to CEO is significant for two reasons: She’s a woman and the first openly gay woman to be the CEO of a Fortune 500 company.
Do you know who came up with Frappuccinos? It was Michelle Gass. For years, she was called Starbucks’ “secret weapon”, and made them billions of dollars. Now Gass is leading her own ship at Kohl’s, with a plan to revive the brand in a tough era for brick-and-mortar department stores.
McGrath is the real deal: She’s self made, and this July, it was reported that her 3-year-old company, Pat McGrath Labs, is valued at $1 billion. A woman of color with millions of fans, she’s a legitimate powerhouse in the industry, and she’s not done yet. Who’s ready for more sparkle?
Calm after the storm. The beauty conglomerate behind The Ordinary has had quite a tumultuous year, but Kilner is here to turn the ship around. After Brandon Truaxe’s social media meltdowns and even a premature announcement that the company was shuttering, Kilner, who had initially left the company, has returned with a determination to put it back on the right track.
How many CEOs sue the President of the United States? Marcario felt it her duty to sue when the Trump Administration announced that it would drastically reduce the size of two national monuments in Utah — presumably opening up the lands for drilling and mining. Patagonia has been thriving under Marcario, who’s been with the apparel company for a decade. On top of donating the company’s $10 million tax cut to environmental groups, she sure doesn’t mince words when it comes to Trump.
Nancy Pelosi
Jacky Rosen (Susie Lee, Kate Marshall)
The 131 Women Serving in the 116th Congress
Yes, inherited wealth is polarizing. But once upon a time, men gave their companies to their most competent sons and found suitors for their daughters. That oppressive fairy tale is over, as more and more power is inherited by the most qualified heirs, regardless of their gender.
Just desserts. The accusations against Mario Batali came swiftly, along with an NYPD investigation. The celebrity chef built an empire with business partner Joe Bastianich, but when time came for the B&B Hospitality group to distance themselves from Batali, Joe’s mother Lidia (an established celeb in her own right) and chef Nancy Silverton were the ones buying him out.
Another glam goddess who’s all business. Debbie is more than ready to take the helm as Revlon’s first female CEO in the cosmetic company’s 86-year history.
Magical. From preaching that rich people should be taxed more to being part of a female bid to take over Harvey Weinstein’s production company, to her hilarious and sharp political tweets — Abigail Disney is one hell of an heiress.
Feature edited by Bourree Lam, Yael Kohen, Justin Ravitz; additional reporting by Natalie Morin. Art Direction & Design by Isabel Castillo Guijarro; Illustrations by Justyna Stasik and Vero Romero