The ’90s brought us a lot of wonderful things — from classic teen movies such as Clueless and 10 Things I Hate About You, to beauty trends like the classic ’90s grunge look, and even the invention of Google. However, some of the best things it brought us were the women of the ’90s. The women of the ’90s took the world by storm through TV and film, musically, and even historically.
- Gwen Stefani
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As the lead singer of No Doubt, Gwen Stefani quickly rose to fame as hits such as “Tragic Kingdom” and “Don’t Speak” took off. She was known for her personal lyrics and unique style. People fell for her voice, style and personality.
- Julia Roberts
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When Pretty Woman came out, Julia Roberts was launched into worldwide stardom and quickly became one of the most famous actresses of the ’90s. She also starred in My Best Friend’s Wedding and Notting Hill. She was known for being an iconic leading lady in romantic comedies and was able to give people hope, love and laughter.
- Mae Jemison
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Mae Jemison is truly an amazing woman — she’s not only an engineer, physician and astronaut, but was the first African American woman in space. In 1992 she boarded the Endeavour and spent a little over a week in space while orbiting the earth a total of 126 times. Mae Jemison inspired so many girls and opened up so many opportunities for women in STEM across the country.
- Beyoncé and Destiny’s Child
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In the late ’90s, Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams were launched into fame as their second album, The Writing’s on the Wall, took off. The album reached number five on the Billboard 200 and number two on the R&B charts. This iconic trio was known worldwide as they produced hits such as “No, No, No,” “Say My Name,” and “Independent Women.” While the group eventually split after fifteen years, they left on a high note, with their friendship still intact.
- Jennifer Aniston
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Jennifer Aniston became a ’90s icon through her role as Rachel on Friends. Everyone knew who Rachel Green was, and in turn, they knew Jennifer Aniston. Her character’s fashion on the show became staple ’90s looks and she ended up being one of the highest-paid TV actresses of all time.
- Madeleine Albright
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Madeleine Albright also broke down barriers for women when she became the first female Secretary of State. She served under Bill Clinton from 1997–2001. During this time, she was an advocate for human rights and was able to stop the ethnic cleansing of Albanians in Kosovo, a state in southeastern Europe. Madeleine Albright certainly left her mark on the world and was able to open doors for many women to come.
These are just some of the countless women of the ’90s. They all left their impact in some way or another, whether it was warming our hearts through acting, singing iconic ’90s songs, or defying the odds and breaking down barriers for women. Many of these women have continued on to live successful lives, but their role in the ’90s has forever left a mark on our hearts.