TIME Magazine, known for its annual celebrations of the world’s most remarkable individuals, has published its first-ever Girls of the Year list today.
The magazine has honoured “10 extraordinary young leaders” between the ages of 12 and 17, who are “inspiring communities around the world.”
“The initiative celebrates and amplifies the voices of inspiring young women who are building the future and turning imagination into impact”, TIME said in a statement.
Among the honourees is 15-year-old French singer Zoé Clauzure, whoo won the 2023 Junior Eurovision Song Contest with her anti-bullying pop anthem ‘Coeur.’ In 2024, Clauzure became the youngest-ever Ambassador for Peace at the Non-Violence Project, a non profit dedicated to promoting peace.
The list also distinguished Mexican racing driver Ivanna Richards, 17, who hopes to one day compete in the male-dominated Formula 1. In the meantime, Richards takes part in Mexican racing series, and she participated in a test drive for the female-only F1 Academy championship in 2024.
Other "Girls of the Year" include 12-year-old scientist Clara Proksch from Germany, 17-year-old Polish scientist Kornelia Wieczorek and Japanese skateboarder Coco Yoshizawa, 15, who won a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“These girls are part of a generation that's reshaping what leadership looks like today,” said TIME’s Senior Editor Dayana Sarkisova. “Their generation understands that change doesn't require waiting for adulthood - it starts with seeing problems and refusing to accept them as permanent.”
The Girls of the Year list was made in partnership with the LEGO Group. The company launched its “She Built That” campaign in June to fight sexist stereotypes and empower little girls.
LEGO found that 72% of parents still feel girls lack visible female role models who build the world, according to a survey on more than 30,000 parents and children in 21 countries.
In addition to its Person of the Year feature, TIME regularly honours influential people through its TIME 100 lists.
In 2019, the magazine released 89 covers to celebrate 100 women from 1920 to the current era.
Since 2022, TIME has also awarded the Women of the Year title to several women from various fields each year. The 2025 list includes actress Nicole Kidman, gymnast Jordan Chiles and sexual assault survivor Gisèle Pelicot.
