For ELLE’s first-ever Impact Issue, we are celebrating women who are making their mark on the world right now. Whether it’s actress, singer, and budding mogul Keke Palmer, Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, or climate activist Xiye Bastida, our subjects this month are a diverse and inspiring group.
We believe firmly at ELLE that having a platform is only useful if you harness it to make a difference. To that end, these women are each using their power to make positive change—from activists raising their voices on Iran and abortion rights and helping to pass new laws; to creatives changing fashion and entertainment; to athletes and politicians working for a more equitable and sustainable world.
Here, our honorees tell their stories in interviews about the career moments that amaze them, what they wish they knew starting out, and their advice for the next generation of women following in their footsteps. Read on and be inspired.
