Michelle Obama inspired millions of parents and children with her fight against obesity and now she’s leading the fight for working women, according to a new poll.
The survey, conducted by market researcher OnePoll, saw 2000 employed women between the ages of 24 and 45 vote the First Lady as the one who inspires them most in their professional lives. Nearly half (48%) said Mrs Obama is the number one personality doing the most for women’s rights and equality in the professional field.
The study shows recent presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s efforts and inspiring concession speech resonates strongly, as she places second on the list, while comedy icon Tina Fey has also done a great deal of paving the way for women in the workplace, according to respondents. Emma Watson, Amy Schumer, Jennifer Lawrence and Beyoncé also made the top 10 list of empowering women in the working world.
The research was commissioned by Shapr – a free networking app that helps users meet like -minded professionals and industry mentors. The study examined the workplace pathways and barriers experienced by modern working women and the inspirations that drive them. It also looked at both the mainstream figures and business inspiration leaders changing attitudes and aspirations the most.
Oprah Winfrey, known globally for her generosity and compassion, has the most coveted leadership skills – the survey shows she’s the one business-running woman participants said they would want guidance and mentorship from the most. Jessica Alba’s co-founding of The Honest Company sees her named the second biggest business inspiration, while Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg finished third.
A spokeswoman for Shapr said: “This survey celebrates the inspirational and successful women who are breaking down barriers in the workplace and encouraging women to chase their own paths to success. It’s important that we all have aspirational leaders and industry mentors to motivate and support us as we fight to overcome the barriers that are put in our way. Whether it’s a politician or celebrity, an influential business leader, or a contact in the industry we connect with on a much more personal level – having people we can aspire towards and be motivated by is essential.”
The study also highlighted the difficulties career women experience and discovered four in 10 battled workplace discrimination to get where they are today. 43% experienced discrimination at some point in their career when trying to climb the career ladder or establish themselves in a new working environment. More than a third (36%) felt male colleagues were able to bond more easily with those in management or higher positions.
View a full infographic of findings from the study HERE.
Top 10 personalities doing the most for women in the workplace
Michelle Obama
Hillary Clinton
Tina Fey
Sandra Bullock
Jennifer Lawrence
Melissa McCarthy
Emma Watson
Amy Schumer
Meryl Streep
Beyoncé
Top 10 business-running women to get guidance and mentorship from
Oprah Winfrey (Founder and CEO, OWN)
Jessica Alba (Founder, Honest Company)
Sheryl Sandberg (COO, Facebook)
Arianna Huffington (Co-founder/Editor-in-Chief, Huffington Post)
Meg Whitman (CEO, Hewlett Packard)
Susan Wojcicki (CEO, YouTube)
Sara Blakely (Founder, Spanx)
Marissa Mayer (CEO, Yahoo)
Doris Fisher (Co-founder, The Gap)
Mary Barra (CEO, General Motors)
