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From courtrooms to concert halls to artistic powerhouses, this year’s TIME100 list of 100 most influential people features a host of women who are making history and shaping the future. Here’s a closer look at some of the most remarkable women honoured this year, in the words of those who know them best.

1. Gisèle Pelicot

In the face of devastating trauma, Gisèle Pelicot did what many couldn’t: she stood tall, named her abuser in open court, and refused to be silenced. Her husband, along with dozens of accomplices, was convicted in a landmark trial that not only delivered justice but disrupted deep-rooted silence around sexual violence.

Her strength reverberated far beyond France. “Just as Gandhi challenged racial violence in India, Gisèle has challenged the patriarchy everywhere,” wrote Gloria Steinem, the writer, political activist, and feminist organiser.

“There have been tributes to Gisèle in many countries. She is a symbol of strength and survival, she is a source of inspiration for women and for humane men, wherever we live. Gisèle has shown us the way. Now we must follow,” she concluded.

2. Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson has spent more than two decades redefining what a leading lady looks like. From intimate indie films to billion-dollar blockbusters, she’s always chosen her own path.

Chris Evans, who’s known her since they were teenagers on set, calls her “a pioneer, a rebel, a force,” and above all, someone “unafraid to be vulnerable… unafraid to be herself.”

Evans notes, “Despite her being three years younger than me, I’ve always considered Scarlett Johansson my older sister. We met in 2002 while filming The Perfect Score in Vancouver. Even at 17, she had wisdom, talent, and grit beyond her years.”

Evans looked up to her as any younger sibling would, “with equal parts admiration and intimidation.” Having seen her seamlessly transition between independent and mainstream films, refusing to be typecast, Evans wrote that Johansson has proven herself as one of the most “bankable actors of her generation.

“She’s a living testament to the power of fearlessness in art. That’s why even though I’m older, I learn from her, I lean on her, and I look up to her. And as any ‘younger’ sibling would assert, there’s absolutely nothing she can’t do.”

3. Blake Lively

Forget the red carpets, Blake Lively is doing her most meaningful work far from the spotlight, according to Sherrilyn Ifill, a civil rights lawyer. “The Blake Lively I know is a philanthropist and a student of our country’s most intractable problems. She and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, reached out in 2019 to contribute to the NAACP Legal Defence Fund,” wrote Ifill.

Ifill immediately admired Lively’s curiosity and her work to understand the conditions that shape her country. “I remember an early conversation in which she expressed frustration that so much of our nation’s history was not part of the instruction she had received as a student. Her commitment to filling those gaps — and becoming the most fully informed and prepared citizen — is what I appreciate most about her,” added Ifill.

She concluded by calling Lively a “serious person” and a “risk taker,” who’s committed to moving her country forward for children.

4. Rosé

Rosé isn’t just a member of BLACKPINK, she’s an entire vibe, according to actor Lilly Collins. With a distinct voice and magnetic stage presence, she’s captivated millions. Yet behind the stardom is someone deeply grounded.

“She’s the definition of an icon and a boss,” wrote Collins. “I’ve come to learn that not only is Rosé really genuine and down-to-earth, but she’s also a total badass. She’s such a dynamic performer and songwriter, and I think it’s incredible that she’s able to captivate arenas full of people as both a member of the biggest girl group in the world and also as a solo artist.”

Collins admired her humour, energy, voice, spirit and, “really, everything about her. I’m so proud of all the things she’s done in the past year, and I feel so lucky to call her a friend.”

5. Serena Williams

Even after hanging up her tennis racquet, Serena Williams hasn’t slowed down. She’s investing in women-led businesses, backing WNBA expansion teams, and proving that athleticism and entrepreneurship go hand in hand.

Fellow Olympian Allyson Felix wrote about Williams’ comeback after a life-threatening childbirth gave her strength during her own. “She could take a break… Instead, she continues to pave the way. A win for her is a win for all of us.”

Williams’ perseverance inspired Felix’s own comeback story. “After an unexpectedly difficult pregnancy that required an emergency C-section and a lengthy recovery, I returned to the track to win two medals — a gold and a bronze — at the Tokyo Olympics.”

Felix notes that Williams continues to be impactful even away from professional tennis. “Whether it’s through her venture-capital fund that invests in companies founded by women and people of colour, or joining the ownership group of the Toronto Tempo, a WNBA expansion team, or dancing during halftime at the Super Bowl, she continues to show that we, as athletes, are so far from one-dimensional.”

These five women are just a glimpse of the wider list. Also celebrated this year are trailblazers like Ismahane Elouafi, Bonnie Y Chan, Teresa Ribera, and Mo Abudu, among many others.