Winning a title like Time’s Women of the Year sounds like a lifetime achievement award. You know, the kind of thing you get when you’ve already crossed the finish line and everyone just wants to clap for your retirement. But looking at the 2025 roster, that’s just not what’s happening. Honestly, it’s more like a scouting report for the people currently breaking the machinery of their respective industries.
Nicole Kidman isn't just on there because she’s "famous." She’s there because she effectively weaponized her own stardom to force Hollywood to hire more women. It’s a literal math problem she’s been solving since 2017. Then you’ve got A’ja Wilson, who is basically the sun that the WNBA orbits around right now, and Jordan Chiles, whose story is so much more complicated than just a gym mat.
The 2025 Roster: It’s Not Just a Celebrity Gala
People see the glitz and think it’s a popularity contest. It isn't. The 2025 list is heavy on "the trenches."
Take Gisèle Pelicot. She’s 72. Most people her age are looking for peace and quiet. Instead, she became a global symbol for sexual assault survivors by refusing to hide her face during a trial that would have broken anyone else. She famously said she wanted to "shame change sides." That’s not a celebrity soundbite; that’s a tactical shift in how we handle trauma.
The list of 13 women includes:
✨ Don't miss: Texas Flash Floods: What Really Happens When a Summer Camp Underwater Becomes the Story
- Nicole Kidman: Actor and producer who pledged to work with a female director every 18 months. She blew past that, hitting 19 collaborations in eight years.
- A’ja Wilson: WNBA MVP and the engine behind the league's massive growth.
- Jordan Chiles: Olympic gymnast who represents the wild, sometimes unfair reality of elite sports.
- Laufey: The singer-songwriter making jazz "cool" for Gen Z.
- Anna Sawai: The Shōgun star who is refusing to play the "docile" Asian woman roles Hollywood used to hand out.
- Amanda Zurawski: A reproductive rights activist who turned her own medical nightmare in Texas into a legal battle.
- Olivia Munn: Who used her breast cancer diagnosis to scream about early detection when she could have stayed private.
Why Nicole Kidman Still Matters
There’s this weird trend of dismissing established stars, but Kidman’s inclusion in Time’s Women of the Year for 2025 actually makes a lot of sense if you look at the "how."
In 2017, she looked around and realized the numbers for female directors were garbage. So, she made a public promise. She didn't just donate money; she donated her time—which, for an Oscar winner, is the most valuable currency in the room. By attaching her name to projects by directors like Emerald Fennell or Halina Reijn (who directed her in Babygirl), she makes those movies "greenlight-able."
It’s about power dynamics. Pure and simple.
The Sports Shift: A'ja Wilson and the New Era
If you haven't been watching the WNBA, you’re missing the point. A’ja Wilson isn't just a 2025 honoree because she can sink a shot. She’s the face of a league that finally—after decades—is getting the investment it deserves. She’s navigating the "Face of the League" pressure while being vocally unapologetic about racial equity and mental health.
🔗 Read more: Teamsters Union Jimmy Hoffa: What Most People Get Wrong
Then there’s Jordan Chiles. Her story in 2024 and 2025 has been a rollercoaster of medal controversies and administrative chaos. Her inclusion in Time’s Women of the Year is a nod to the resilience required to be a Black woman in a sport that sometimes feels like it’s looking for reasons to penalize you.
What about the activists?
We often skip the names we don't recognize on these lists, which is a mistake. Fatou Baldeh is out there fighting female genital mutilation (FGM) in The Gambia. She’s a survivor herself. Purnima Devi Barman is literally saving a giant stork called the "Hargila" in India by building an "army" of 20,000 women to protect them.
These aren't "lifestyle" choices. They are high-stakes, life-and-death missions.
The 2024 Legacy vs. 2025
Last year was the year of Greta Gerwig and Coco Gauff. It was about the "Barbie" boom and a 19-year-old taking over the U.S. Open. 2024 felt like a celebration of a peak.
💡 You might also like: Statesville NC Record and Landmark Obituaries: Finding What You Need
2025 feels grittier.
It feels more like a response to a world that’s getting a bit more volatile. You see it in Amanda Zurawski’s fight for healthcare in Texas or Claire Babineaux-Fontenot’s work with Feeding America. These women aren't just succeeding; they’re holding back the tide.
Misconceptions to Clear Up
- It’s not just for Americans: The list is intentionally global. Look at Laufey (Icelandic-Chinese) or Gisèle Pelicot (France).
- It’s not an "influencer" list: While some honorees have big social followings, the criteria focus on systemic change, not follower counts.
- It’s not just for "young" people: The age range is massive, proving that "Women of the Year" doesn't have an expiration date.
What You Should Actually Do With This Info
Reading the list is one thing. Doing something with it is another. If you’re looking to support the causes these women represent, here are some practical moves:
- Look into your local food bank: If Claire Babineaux-Fontenot’s mission moved you, check out Feeding America’s local affiliates.
- Support female-led cinema: Don't just wait for the big blockbusters. Look for the smaller films directed by women that Nicole Kidman is out there boosting.
- Check your health screenings: Olivia Munn’s story is a reminder. If you’ve been putting off a check-up, just book it. Her "Risk Assessment Score" literally saved her life.
- Follow the legal battles: If you’re interested in reproductive rights or survivor advocacy, watch the cases involving Amanda Zurawski and Gisèle Pelicot. They are setting precedents that will affect millions.
The Time’s Women of the Year list isn't a final destination. It’s a map of who is currently doing the heavy lifting. Whether it’s in a boardroom, a basketball court, or a courtroom in Texas, these women are the ones setting the tempo for 2026 and beyond.