Each year Forbes compiles a list of the top 100 most powerful women who are contributing the most through donations, media momentum, and impact on society. These women work in a variety of areas–the list includes celebrities, businesswomen, women in politics, and social activists–and they are from all areas of the world. These women are demonstrating that power comes in a variety of forms and can be used in a variety of ways. Here is a short list of the top 10 most powerful women.

10. Indra Nooyi – CEO of Pepsico, United States

9. Sonia Gandhi – President of Indian National Congress

8. Janet Napolitano – Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, United States

7. Christine Lagarde – Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, France

6. Sheryl Sandberg – COO of Facebook, United States

5. Hillary Clinton – Politician and Philanthropist, United States

4. Michelle Obama – First Lady of the United States

3. Melinda Gates – Co-chair of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, United States

2. Dilma Rousseff- President of Brazil

1. Angela Merkel – Chancellor of Germany

– Katie Brockman

Source: Forbes