Top 7 Female Speakers of 2021
During these unprecedented times, the need for inspiration and motivation is in especially high demand. In the face of adversity, these women are making an impact on the world one speech at a time. Take a look at some of the top female speakers, listed in alphabetical order.
1. Brené Brown
Dr. Brown is one of the most renowned speakers in America. Her TED Talk, The Power of Vulnerability, is one of the top 5 most viewed TED talks ever, with over 30 million views. She focuses on human connection and considers herself both researcher and storyteller, as seen through the personal stories in her keynote performances. She continues to supply her audience with virtual offerings in the form of virtual commencement speeches, webinars, and more. She has even launched her own podcast titled Unlocking Us and Dare to Lead and her 2019 Netflix special, The Call to Courage, continues to inspire many.
2. Diana Nyad
Diana Nyad, one of the greatest long-distance swimmers in history, is a prominent and engaging public speaker who uses her experiences to encourage her audience to never give up. Her powerful message is expressed in the TED talk, Never, Ever Give Up, which has amassed over 6 million views. She continues to inspire the world with her personal anecdotes in her book titled Find a Way.
3. Joan Higginbotham
As a retired NASA rocket scientist, astronaut, and the third black woman to ever travel to space, Joan Higginbotham uses her unique experiences under high-pressure situations to speak about stress management, preparation, and collaboration. Her TED talk, An Astronaut’s Inspiring and Winding Road to Space, showcases her experience as an astronaut and the steps it took to reach that point.
4. Mel Robbins
Mel Robbins, an expert on leadership and defeating doubt, is one of the top motivational speakers alive today. Her Ted Talk, How To Stop Screwing Yourself Over, has over 10 million views spanning 37 countries. She delivers life-changing digital messages to her audiences and urges them to challenge their way of thinking.
5. Radha Agrawal
Agrawal’s focus on community building, leadership, and entrepreneurship have put her at the forefront of distinguished speakers. Her book, Belong: Find Your People, Create Community, and Live a More Connected Life, is a best-selling novel, and she recently went on tour with Oprah Winfrey to spread the message of social wellness and togetherness. She is the founder of Thinx, Super Sproutz, and Daybreaker and uses her keen knowledge of business development to inspire her audience
6. Tatyana Ali
An actress, singer, and most importantly, an activist, Tatyana Ali is a powerful keynote speaker who advocates for the importance of voting, education, and leadership. She was recently the host of the UNCF’s “Empower Me” tour which aimed to motivate young people to take charge of their academic success, financial literacy, and personal responsibility.
7. Yassmin Abdel-Magied
Founder of Youth Without Borders, Yassmin Abdel-Magied is one of the top diversity keynote speakers with a unique background as a mechanical engineer. The Australian speaker and writer deals with topics such as leadership, the value of diversity, and the challenges that come with it. Her TED talk, What Does My Headscarf Mean to You, is viewed more than 2 million times, and she continues to avidly support and encourage women, youth, and culturally diverse individuals to pursue their goals.
