It's the end of the year, which means a lot of 'Best Of' polls are being published. MSN just released their "Most Influential Women" list for 2007 with their commentaries. Honestly, I haven't heard of half the people on this list so I don't quite agree with their choices. Check out the list and let us know what your thoughts are.
Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood's amazingly successful 2007 makes her star-studded American Idol days seem downright amateur. This year she won three American Music Awards, three Country Music Awards, two Grammy’s, and her sophomore album, Carnival Ride, hit No. 1 almost immediately upon release.
Miley Cyrus
What did you dream of when you were 15? Starring in a No. 1 television show in which you play a cooler version of yourself, and your dad plays a cooler version of himself? Headlining a sold-out U.S. concert tour? Having your own fashion line and being spokeswoman for a really cute line of guitars? If you answered "yes" to all of the above, then you might have dreamed of being Miley Cyrus, star of The Disney Channel's hit Hannah Montana.
Alice Temperley, Sarah Jessica Parker, Vera Wang, Erin Fetherston
First Martha Stewart catered to Kmart, now this. Fashion magazines are full of images of unbelievable-looking women wearing elegant clothes that cost unbelievable amounts of money. Until recently, all an ordinary dame could do was gaze longingly at the pictures and laugh at the price tags. But designers like Vera Wang, Erin Fetherston, Alice Temperley, and even Sarah Jessica Parker (her new line of clothes is really cute!) have turned the tables and started designing affordable lines for shops like Target, Kohl's and Steve & Barry's. It may not be world peace or the end of global warming, but who knows? A nation of happy, well-dressed women will go a long way toward making the world a better place.
"Obama Girl"
Last summer, a 21-year-old from Philadelphia named Leah Kauffman and a couple of her friends decided to write an R&B parody-tribute to Kauffman's favorite political candidate, Barack Obama. They cranked out the lyrics, hired hottie Amber Lee Ettinger to lip-sync in a low-budget video, and posted it to YouTube. Within weeks, "Obama Girl" was mentioned in almost every major media outlet in America.
Tina Fey
Fey was head writer at Saturday Night Live for years, then used that experience as fodder to create the Emmy-winning show 30 Rock, in which she not only stars, but also writes and co-produces.
Hillary Rodham Clinton
This pioneering woman was the only first lady to be subpoenaed and the only first lady to be elected to the role of U.S. senator (New York). As senator she's been a power player in issues ranging from the war in Iraq to the resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. And now she's aiming to be the first female president of the United States.
Elisabeth Hasselbeck
She champions creationism and the war in Iraq. She's an outspoken critic of not only abortion but also the morning-after pill. Barry Manilow won't appear on stage with her. Whoopi Goldberg and Rosie O'Donnell have heated arguments with her. She's Elisabeth Hasselbeck, conservative co-host of the wildly popular show The View.
Padma Lakshmi
India-born model and actress Padma Lakshmi was named to People magazine's Most Beautiful People list in 2007. This year the host of the hit TV show Top Chef released her second cookbook, Tangy, Tart, Hot, and Sweet. She also divorced her famous husband, writer Salman Rushdie.
Pat Summitt
With the University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball coach, it's all about the numbers: 947 wins over a span of 33 years. A combined 26 Southeastern Conference (SEC) tournament and SEC regular season championships. Seven NCAA championship titles. Author of two books. First female college coach to earn more than $1 million a year. Coach of the No. 1 college women's basketball team in America in 2007.
Benazir Bhutto
Benazir Bhutto is the first woman to be elected to leadership of a post-colonial Muslim nation—and she's done it twice. Though this former prime minister of Pakistan has also been twice removed on charges of corruption, that doesn't make her less influential or impressive. She has headed the secular, liberal Pakistan People's Party (PPP) from exile for years, but returned to Pakistan in 2007 to run for prime minister a third time.
J.K. Rowling
Rowling's wizarding world has not so much influenced modern culture as grown roots deep into the heart of it. From new words (muggles) to new drinks to a new generation of kids who (gasp) read for pleasure, Rowling's epic fantasy series has made a lasting impact on, well, just about all of us.
