In a tribute to ingenuity and potential, TIME introduces its inaugural Girls of the Year List, honoring 10 young leaders inspiring communities globally.

The list, made possible through collaboration with the LEGO Group, aligns with their “She Built That” campaign, which aims to challenge stereotypes and encourage girls to envision themselves as creators.

Today, TIME announced its groundbreaking Girls of the Year list, recognizing ten young leaders who are making a significant impact in communities worldwide. The list, curated by TIME’s acclaimed editorial team, was made possible with the support of the LEGO Group and is intended to honor and empower girls.

The 2025 TIME Girls of the Year list features ten remarkable individuals, including: Rutendo Shadaya, 17, an advocate for young authors in New Zealand; Coco Yoshizawa, 15, an Olympic gold-medalist in Japan; Valerie Chiu, 15, a global science educator in China; Zoé Clauzure, 15, an anti-bullying crusader in France; Clara Proksch, 12, a scientist focused on child safety in Germany; Ivanna Richards, 17, a racing driver breaking stereotypes in Mexico; Kornelia Wieczorek, 17, a biotech innovator in Poland; Defne Özcan, 17, a pioneering pilot in Turkey; Rebecca Young, 12, an engineer addressing homelessness in the United Kingdom; and Naomi S. DeBerry, 12, an organ donation advocate and children’s book author in the United States.

– See the complete list and read the TIME Girls of the Year profiles:

“At TIME, we have long held the conviction that leadership knows no age limit. This belief is evident in the inspiring young women featured on our first-ever TIME Girls of the Year list, who are shaping their communities with bravery and purpose,” stated TIME CEO Jessica Sibley. “Thanks to our collaboration with the LEGO Group, we are proud to highlight those who are transforming imagination into tangible real-world influence.”

Furthermore, the LEGO Group and TIME Studios, the celebrated branded content studio, produced a limited-edition animated TIME cover, depicting this year’s Girls of the Year as LEGO Minifigures. Each character embodies the spirit of their achievements, with the animation set to the inspiring new LEGO anthem, She Built That.

See the TIME Girls of the Year cover:

A recent study conducted by the LEGO Group revealed that the term “Building” has a perception issue, particularly with girls. The majority (70%) of young women globally struggle to see themselves as proficient in building things. Similarly, most parents (72%) feel girls lack visible female role models who are builders of the world.

According to a survey of 32,605 parents and children across 21 countries, women’s achievements largely remain unrecognized by children. Kids are twice as likely to attribute major inventions to men – with most believing that Wi-Fi (69%), fridges (63%), and even the moon landing software (68%) were invented by men, despite all having been pioneered by women.

Julia Goldin, LEGO Group Chief Product & Marketing Officer, commented: “When girls do not see it, they do not believe it – and the world risks losing out on the next major innovation. There is no limit to what girls can build. TIME’s Girls of the Year is a step towards providing the next generation with the role models they deserve, acknowledging young women globally who are not just envisioning a better world but actively creating it. Together with TIME, we hope these narratives will inspire a future generation of unstoppable female builders to dream ambitiously and continue leaving their mark on the world.”

This sentiment aligns with the LEGO Group’s broader mission: to foster confidence, imagination, and creativity through play and to unlock every child’s potential. The partnership is an expansion of the LEGO Group’s She Built That campaign, which seeks to challenge outdated societal stereotypes that can restrict girls’ potential, and to empower them to perceive themselves as builders in every sense of the word. In collaboration with TIME’s Girls of the Year, the initiative celebrates young females who are shaping the future, turning imagination into impact. It is a tribute to creativity, confidence, and possibility, recognizing girls not merely as future builders, but as the architects of change today.

The TIME Girls of the Year list builds upon the foundation of , which honors extraordinary leaders striving for a more equitable future. Consistent with TIME’s commitment to spotlighting individuals and ideas that shape and improve the world, TIME has consistently highlighted women and girls making an impact across climate, science, sports, entertainment, and more—including scientist and inventor , named TIME’s first-ever Kid of the Year.

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