Groundbreaking Women 2023

Each Groundbreaking Woman on our 2023 list has impressed and inspired us with her dedication, brilliance, and accomplishments.

BY KIRSTEN CLUTHE

Every year at Worth Magazine, we celebrate women from across every business sector who are making an impact, whether it’s an industry-specific innovation, moving the needle forward for other women, or addressing a difficult challenge that affects the world around us. You may know some women on our list this year, but you may not be familiar with all the ways she makes a difference. And others you may not recognize yet, but we assure you they are worth knowing about. In a world where women continue to face discrimination and inequality, it’s important to recognize those who have broken through barriers and achieved great success.

Stacey Abrams is a trailblazer in American politics, known for her tireless advocacy for voting rights and social justice. In 2010, she became the first Black woman to serve as the minority leader in the Georgia House of Representatives. In 2018, she ran for governor of Georgia, coming within a few percentage points of victory in a highly contested race. Since then, Abrams has dedicated herself to promoting fair and equitable access to the ballot box. She founded Fair Fight, which protects voting rights and aims to ensure fair elections nationwide. And in 2020, she played a crucial role in turning Georgia blue in the presidential election and the subsequent Senate runoff races. Abrams remains an inspiration to millions of Americans.

Ramla Ali is no stranger to adversity. She and her family fled word-torn Somalia after her eldest brother was killed by a grenade, eventually finding refuge in London. She discovered boxing while trying to find a way to fit in as a teenager, initially to her parents’ dismay. She became the first Muslim woman to win an English boxing title and, in 2022, broke barriers by winning Saudi Arabia’s first-ever female boxing match. Outside the ring, Ali uses her platform to promote inclusion and gender equality in sports. She has been recognized for her advocacy work by organizations UNICEF, the Muslim Women’s Sport Foundation, and her nonprofit Sisters Club.

Ruth E. Carter is a renowned costume designer who has worked on some of the most iconic films in Hollywood history. She is the first African American woman to win an Academy Award for Best Costume Design, which she earned for her work on the groundbreaking film, “Black Panther.” Throughout her career, Carter has used her creative talent and artistic vision to create some of the most iconic looks in film, including “Malcolm X” and “Do The Right Thing”. In 2020, she collaborated with H&M on a capsule collection that reflected 80s streetwear, a nod to her onscreen aesthetic.

An innovative and progressive chef who grew up in France and made a name for herself in San Francisco, Dominique Crenn is the first female chef in the United States to earn three Michelin stars, an honor that recognizes the highest level of culinary excellence and one that only eight women have received. When Crenn moved to San Francisco to work at the prestigious Campton Place Hotel in 1988, she quickly made a name for herself in the city’s culinary scene. In 2011, Crenn opened her restaurant, Atelier Crenn, in San Francisco’s Cow Hollow neighborhood. Crenn has developed a unique and highly personalized style of cooking that blends her French roots with her love of California’s local ingredients. Beyond her cooking, Crenn is also a passionate advocate for sustainability and social justice. She has spoken out about the need for chefs to take responsibility for the environmental impact of their restaurants, and she works to support organizations that promote food justice and equality.

Crenn will open her highly anticipated restaurant, Golden Poppy, this summer in Paris, her first in the city of lights.

Gina Bartasi had always dreamed of starting her own business. After years of working in the healthcare industry, she saw a need for a better way to provide women with access to affordable, quality reproductive care. So, she founded Progyny, a company specializing in fertility and family-building benefits for employers and individuals. Despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks along the way, Bartasi remained steadfast in her vision, determined to make a difference in the lives of others. After founding Progyny, she heard employers’ desire to purchase fertility benefits directly from providers, resulting in millions in savings. Based on employers’ feedback and industry insights, Bartasi launched Kindbody in August 2018 with a team of experienced healthcare and industry veterans.