Did You Know? Eight of the World's 100 Most Powerful Women have ties to IllinoisForbes Magazine recently released their list of the world’s most powerful women, the list of which includes CEOs, heads of state, entrepreneurs, celebrities, philanthropists and activists.

Many on the list are familiar names with Illinois ties, including Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey.

Others are not as well-known but maintain high status in their respective fields. Ginni Rometty, chairwoman, president and CEO of IBM, was born in Chicago and graduated from Northwestern University in Evanston. She is the first woman to head IBM and is listed as the 13th most powerful woman in the world.

Ertharin Cousin, listed 47th, is the executive director of the United Nations World Food Programme. Born and raised on the West Side of Chicago, Cousin attended Lane Technical High School and the University of Illinois at Chicago. Cousin has also been named on TIME’s “100 most influential people in the world” list.

Ellen Kullman (26th), Rosalind Brewer (65th) and Gwynne Shotwell (90th) all have ties to Illinois and also appear on the Forbes list.

Learn more:
The World’s Most Powerful Women 2015