Inspirational Icons: Women Who've Made The World A Better Place In 2014

It's been a fantastic year for females the world over. From charity to politics, sport to show business, sister's have been doing it for themselves! From Malala Yousafzai winning the Nobel Peace prize to Emma Watson's #HeForShe campaign for feminism. Join us as we celebrate some phenomenal achievements of women across the globe in 2014.

1. Angelina Jolie: For Women

Writing in the New York Times, Jolie explained her decision to have surgery to remove her ovaries as she carries a gene that gave her a 50% risk of developing ovarian cancer. Two years ago, Jolie, whose mother died from cancer, had a double mastectomy. She explained: "It is not easy to make these decisions. But it is possible to take control and tackle head-on any health issue."
2. Malala Yousafzai: Politics

She may be the youngest candidate on our list, but this truly remarkable little lady never ceases to astound us. After being shot by the Taliban in 2012 for standing up for women's rights to education, the brave 17-year-old finally received the joint Nobel Peace prize this year along with children's rights campaigner Kailash Satyarthi. Her autobiography 'I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban' was released this year and comes highly recommended by Heart!
3. Camila Batmanghelidjh: Charity

Their was no dispute in the Heart office that the founder and chief executive of 'Kids Company' should make our list of heroic women in 2014. The charity leader, author and all round colourful character spends her life supporting vulnerable young people in British cities. The altruist's charity supports over 36,000 children, earning her numerous awards over her lifetime. In September this year she became an Honorary Fellow of UCL. Picture: PA
4. Lynda Bellingham: All Round Inspiration

The nation was left heartbroken in October, when the wonderful Lynda tragically passed back in October aged 66, after a prolonged battle with cancer. The 'Loose Women' panel show host published her inspirational autobiography and memoir of her illness and final days, days before she died. The actress and presenter will be sorely missed.
5. Emma Watson: Politics

This summer the 'Harry Potter' star and Brown University graduate, stepped out as U.N. Women Goodwill Ambassador and almost broke the internet in the process. Okay, the actress' speech launching her 'HeForShe' campgain may not have broken the internee exactly, but it did crash the U.N Website. The 24-year-old spoke out passionately on behalf of feminism, calling for an end to “all forms of violence and discrimination” against women. Now that's what we call girl power! Picture: PA
6. Amal Alamuddin Clooney: Law

A graduate of both the University of Oxford & New York University School of Law, the intelligent and stunning lawyer is all things to all people. A style icon, as well as a campaigner for social justice, the 36-year-old's clients have included WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange & the former prime minister of Ukrain, Yulia Tymoshenko. This year the Beirut-born beauties meteoric rise into the public sphere was fuelled her marriage to one of Hollywood's most sought after bachelors, George Clooney.
7. Judi Dench: Theatre & Film

The iconic actor celebrated her 80th birthday this year, but remains an unstoppable force in the theatrical worlds. What is more, the actress par excellence has admitted that her eyesight is failing, leaving her struggling to read scripts: "I never want to make much of it, but it's difficult" she told the Hollywood Reporter, "very difficult." However, the Oscar-winner has laughed down suggestions that she might want to slow her career down and continues to delight audiences with all she does.
8. England Women's Rugby Team 2014: Sport

England captains Katy Mclean and Sarah Hunter led their team triumphantly to victory in the IRB Women's Rugby World Cup 2014. England beat Canada 21-9 to take home the cup for he first time in a whopping 20 years. Congratulations girls! Picture: PA
9. Cate Blanchett: Film

The stunning Aussie took home the Oscar for 'Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role' for Woody Allen's movie 'Blue Jasmine' this year. The 45-year-old actress received huge critical acclaim for her portrayal of a Manhattan socialite who falls into poverty. The star of the film also picked up the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama, as well as a BAFTA and Screen Actors Guild Award for the part. Outstanding!
10. Karren Brady: Business

The pin up girl for ladies with a can-do attitude everywhere, Karren Brady became the youngest Managing Director of a PLC in the UK back in 1997. An entrepreneur to the end, she's since gone on to become Vice-Chairman of West Ham FC, as well as sitting alongside Alan Sugar in 'The Apprentice' TV show, being a published author and a mother. This year she became Baroness Brady (what a nice ring that has!), when she became a Conservative peer in the House of Lords. Phewf!