Friday, August 21, 2009

Rania and Elizabeth Move Up on Forbes Most Powerful Women List

What marks a woman with influential power? According to Forbes magazine, it is visibility and leadership. Well, Rania and Elizabeth have made the cut again. Forbes placed them on the list of 100 Most Powerful Women which was released on Wednesday.

Queen Rania was ranked at number ninety-six last year. Since that time, she has garnered more exposure in the past few months by launching her Twitter and Facebook pages. Furthermore, the Jordanian queen was recognized by YouTube for her visionary efforts to open dialogue and dispel the negative stereotypes permeating cultures across the globe. Besides networking on the internet, she has continued to advocate for women, children and education. Forbes currently ranks her influence at number seventy-six.

Queen Elizabeth II is still radiating power and influence. She was listed at number fifty-eight the previous year. Now, she is ranked at number forty-two. The queen has reigned since 1952. She has yet to surpass Queen Victoria’s record of longest reigning monarch, but she is the oldest reigning British monarch; a record she fulfilled in December 2007. Despite her years, Elizabeth bears a formidable schedule with Prince Philip joining her on many occasions seemingly indefatigable by her side. She is always kept up to date on the latest technology; her British Monarchy website evolving with the times such as updating on Twitter. The monarch is patron to six hundred and twenty-seven organizations and her favourite pastimes are horses, Labradors, walking in the countryside and Scottish country dancing.

Photos: Petra, © Press Association