1. Lena Dunham. For making feminism (even more) cool
2. Amy Poehler. We didn't know we could love a character as much as we do Leslie Knope.
3. Mindy Kaling. For inspiring us to embrace our awkward side.
4. Tina Fey. For proving, time and time again, women's comic potential.
5. Melissa McCarthy. For taking any role and transforming it into comic genius.
6. Shonda Rhimes. She created the goddess that is Olivia Pope—need we say more?
7. Jenji Kohan. The writer of Orange is the New Black is all about strong female characters.
8. Megan Ellison. She's a trailblazer in film production (which has historically been a boys club.)
9. Laverne Cox. She's changing the way people view the transgender population.
10. Angelina Jolie. Through her work with the UN, she channels her popularity for serious good.
11. Julia Louis-Dreyfus. She proves that an actress's career can have more than one (or two!) hit shows.
12. Amy Schumer. The freshest face for females in stand up.
13. Lorde. She was just the first woman to win a VMA for rock video. At 17!
14. Beyoncé. She made "Feminist" the most talked-about word of this years VMAs.
15. Ilana Glazer (top) and 16. Abbi Jacobson (bottom). Their show, Broad City, makes your twenties something to laugh about.
17. Kathryn Bigelow. The first woman—ever—to win an Oscar for Best Director.
18. Issa Rae. She's used YouTube to become an internet sensation with her workplace comedy Awkward Black Girl.
19. Chelsea Handler. She's set to make history by taking her talk show to Netflix.
20. Janelle Monáe. If you're a fan of soul music (or just great talent) keep your eye on this girl.
