YFE's Most Influential People of 2009- The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

1. Mr. & Mrs. Barack Obama

For the most obvious reasons these two are my top pick. For all the work that our President has done and for all the much needed changes he has had the intestinal fortitude to try and implement. Although the outcomes have been not all been successful: he rocks! All the while with his fierce wife by his side, "living on the edge" with her sleeveless dresses *insert sarcasm here*, keeping her girls grounded, doing so much for the community not only in and around the District but the entire country. Hats off to you Mr. & Mrs. President.

2. Sarah Palin 

I have seen all too much of this woman this past year. The media became obsessed with Ms. Palin this year for better or for worse. She loves the press,  (this includes the evil liberal media) so much so she had to quit her job as Governor of the state of Alaska to go on a bus tour and promote "her" book that does not contain many facts and most of which she did not write herself. Only in America. God bless the "rogue" that decided the easiest way to make a quick buck was to exploit her family, and coin phrases like "death panels".

3. Evan Williams & Biz Stone

These guys started the phenomenon otherwise known as Twitter. The first of any of the social networks to attract the like of huge moguls such as Oprah, Ashton Kutcher and Diddy. Making the previously unaccessible celebrities one twit away from the average Joe. Not only can you follow Martha Stewart but Twitter also allows news to spread like wild fire. 

4. David Plouffe

"The man who made Obama". Since YFE wasn't around in 2008 I had to give it up to him this time around. He was offered a job in the White House after Obama won the election but politely declined and opted for a life outside of the limelight until Obama hits the campaign trail again (bet your money on it -he'll be on his team again). Plouffe took campaigning somewhere it had never been before-the internet. 

5. Justice Sonia Sotomayor

As the first Hispanic and only the third woman confirmed to the  Supreme Court, Justice Sonia Sotomayor has broken barriers and put a chasm in the glass ceiling that alludes so many of us. Her confirmation process was proof positive that some men of the Republican persuasion continue to be distracted with things that are and will always be irrelevant to the position of Supreme Court Justice.We are so proud of her here at YFE, for more information see our previous post here http://bit.ly/6qXu9Z.

6. Soledad O'Brien

I had the opportunity to watch Latino in America and Black in America on CNN this year and I was awe struck by the quality, depth, and empathy of Soledad's reporting. The pieces were masterfully put together and I was surprised at how involved the episodes dove into the real lives of so many people: it is so apparent that we have come so far and this is reason to celebrate but much remains to be accomplished. For more information click here http://bit.ly/8vnrFh.

7. Rihanna

Lots of women cut their hair this year because of this young lady and now want to bring leather back, lots of dark funky outfits, and chunky accessories. You may be questioning my reasoning for putting said chica on the Most Influential People list but if you aren't a fashion snob working in high fashion or blogging about how stylish you are based on goodies you found at a flea market...then what do you have?The answer is Rihanna, next time you're at the mall and you see a "fashionable" woman think of Rihanna and I'm sure they're trying to immitate her style in some way, shape, or form. I haven't seen copy cats like this since that horrible Jennifer Aniston hair cut. 

8. Steve Jobs

Despite taking a six month hiatus to continue fighting the hardest battle of his life- Jobs was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2004 (one the most lethal types) and also underwent a liver transplant this year. He continues to amaze us with one Apple product after another and only for $1 per year salary. Jobs also works at Pixar animation studios (as if he doesn't have enough to do) and as the CEO of Apple he is always one step ahead of his competitors.

9. The United States Armed Forces

To the young men and women that risk their lives year after year and tour after tour, sometimes giving the ultimate sacrifice to our country we here at YFE thank you!

10. Ben Bernanke

I'd be surprised if this guy got one good night sleep the entire year. With the economy in shambles, the head of the Federal Reserve has had a bit of a stressful year trying to help devise a plan to restructure and rebuild America's struggling economy.