Call 2023 the year of change agents: The women and femmes who broke records, silenced haters, used their platforms to elevate social issues, and gave marvelous performances in their respective industries set bar for 2024. While this isn’t an exhaustive list, let’s celebrate the achievements and cultural impact of this year’s powerhouses.

Huda Kattan

None of us had “Beauty Influencer Takes Up the Palestinian Cause” on our bingo cards — but here we are. Notably, Huda Beauty founder Huda Kattan used social-media for her own activism and to rally others in support of Palestine. Kattan, an Iraqi-American, has supported Palestine since long before this year’s Hamas-Israel war, having previously condemned the evictions of Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem, in 2021. Besides risking her business for her beliefs, Huda Beauty’s watermelon blush challenge to celebrate Palestine stormed social feeds. The watermelon has long been a symbol of Palestinian solidarity and resistance in the occupied territories, where Israel often restricts displays of the Palestinian flag. Using her platform and business to spark change, Kattan shows how the beauty industry can be a powerhouse for activism.

Victoria Monét

Victoria Monét had a breakthrough year as a solo artist in the music industry with her debut album, Jaguar II. The bisexual multi-hyphenate is an undeniable 2023 powerhouse as her star rose, garnering critical acclaim for her songwriting, dance, and musical talents. Through organic growth, support from her loyal fans, and years of hard work, the “On My Mama” hit singer secured seven Grammy nominations after a long road of industry barriers. In September, after fans wondered why she did not perform on stage at the MTV Video Music Awards, Monét shared that she had been told that it was “too early” in her story for that opportunity. Still, she let the music speak for itself, letting the world know she is a musical force to be reckoned with.

Brie Larson

The Marvels star Brie Larson outdid herself this year but with a small screen performance that captures the range of her acting chops in Apple TV+ original Lessons in Chemistry. Based on a novel by the same name, Larson portrayed the layered humanity of chemist, chef, and single mother Elizabeth Zott. While most know Larson as Captain Marvel, Lessons showcased her powerhouse talent in ways never before seen, accompanied by raw emotion to tell a story with lessons about life, discovery, and an ode to love in all its forms.

Coco Gauff

It was an unforgettable record-breaking year for sports. In the tennis world and women’s sports, Coco Gauff is a rising generational talent with a year of firsts. She is the first American teenager to win the U.S. Open since Serena Williams in 1999. She is also currently the highest-paid female athlete in the world, according to Sportico, at $22.7 million, including $16 million from off-the-court earnings. Her success has made her a powerhouse and role model for young girls everywhere while bringing more fans to the sport.

Bisan Owda

In 2023, the decades-long conflict in Gaza took the forefront of social consciousness, leading to more support for Palestine and calls for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. As disinformation and misinformation spread to conflate Hamas with all Palestinians, journalists in the thick of the war zone began sharing dispatches with the world. Bisan Owda, a Gen-Z filmmaker turned journalist, uses social media videos to document the to her 3.6 million followers. Through her updates, she’s helped bolster the support of the Free Palestine movement for generations to come. Owda is a powerhouse figure whose work has shifted the conversation and added nuance and humanity to how Palestine is perceived globally.

Nia DaCosta

Many firsts happened in 2023; one major milestone was the film achievements of director Nia DaCosta, who helmed the superhero movie The Marvels. According to Forbes, The Marvels had the biggest-ever opening weekend for a film made by a Black female director at $110 million. However, DaCosta is no stranger to breaking records as she was the first Black female director to debut at No. 1 at the U.S. box office with Candyman in 2021. While some critics focused on the result of road bumps like the dual Hollywood strikes halting a traditional press campaign to promote the film, DaCosta’s success is despite them genuinely making her a powerhouse in film.

Raquel Willis

Blooming possibilities was the theme of 2023 for trans rights activist, journalist, and debut author Raquel Willis. In 2023, Willis published her debut memoir, The Risk It Takes To Bloom: On Life and Liberation, and launched her new iHeart original podcast Afterlives, centering the stories of trans folks lost to the epidemic of violence. The Southerner’s various endeavors have made her a powerhouse symbol for not only trans liberation but the freedom of all marginalized folks. This year, Willis has let the world know that, undoubtedly, the South has something to say.