Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” was once a female anthem. But these days, Beyonce’s “Run the World (Girls)” seems more fitting.
Today, the Democratic National Convention Committee announced its latest batch of speakers – ten “women leaders” who will join the ranks of previously scheduled presenters like Michelle Obama and Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren in Charlotte, North Carolina at the beginning of September. Among these prominent ladies who will rally the crowds are “Desperate Housewives” actress Eva Longoria, Georgetown University Law student Sandra Fluke, and Caroline Kennedy.
The names released today come amid the Obama campaign’s renewed efforts to steer female voters away from the GOP, particularly in light of Rep. Todd Akin’s comments on rape causing a firestorm this week. Politico’s Mike Allen called this girl-power line-up at the DNC “a clear message” from the Democrats, who could use the convention to highlight what they refer to as the “war on women.”
If women were at war, though, it’s clear these ladies would come out on top. Forbes released its 2012 list of the world’s most powerful women this morning, and the top three are politicians: Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff is ranked third, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton second, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel number one. As for other noteworthy Americans gracing the top spots, New York Times Executive Editor Jill Abramson comes in fifth, First Lady Michelle Obama takes number seven, and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano comes in at nine, followed by Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg rounding out the top ten.