Wonder Women: Celebrating My Favorite Superheroes

by Susan B. Noyes
Susan B. Noyes's Favorite Powerful Women

In truth, all women are superheroes — life givers, multitaskers extraordinaire, nurturers, problem solvers; generally, they are emotionally stronger than men too. 

In honor of Women’s History Month, please share who inspires you! Of course my magnificent mothers top my list.

Senator Gramsie —  Virginia Blankenbaker, aka Mom

My mother — Senator Virginia Blankenbaker — was a trailblazer, setting an example and modeling leadership through every decade of her life.
My mother — Senator Virginia Blankenbaker — was a trailblazer, setting an example and modeling leadership through every decade of her life.

The Dean —  Patricia Albjerg Graham, aka Godmother

My Godmother, Patricia Albjerg Graham, was the first woman to be appointed dean of a Harvard Faculty.
My Godmother, Patricia Albjerg Graham, was the first woman to be appointed dean of a Harvard Faculty.

Their “can do, don’t see limits” lives and careers taught me to dream big, trust my instincts, and empower others along the way.

My favorite work through Make It Better has been highlighting other powerful women who wisely use their platforms to help others, too. #BetterMakers all!

My all-time favorite interviews include:

Saintly Shirley Ryan

Shirley Ryan — Founder of Pathways, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and so much more. Advancing human ability from traumatic brain injuries to battling multiple sclerosis, the world-class Shirley Ryan AbilityLab reimagines what it means to be a rehabilitation hospital.
Shirley Ryan — Founder of Pathways, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and so much more. Advancing human ability from traumatic brain injuries to battling multiple sclerosis, the world-class Shirley Ryan AbilityLab reimagines what it means to be a rehabilitation hospital.

Creative Collaborator Cecilia Conrad

Cecilia Conrad — CEO, Lever for Change, Macarthur Foundation. She is that rare individual who can do more work than multiple high-level executives combined, makes it look easy, and charms in the process.
Cecilia Conrad — CEO, Lever for Change, Macarthur Foundation. She is that rare individual who can do more work than multiple high-level executives combined, make it look easy, and charm in the process.

Captivating Carla Harris

Carla Harris — Senior Advisor, Morgan Stanley, Former Chair, National Women’s Business Council, Gospel Singer. In addition to singing gospel, she is an advocate for the importance of self-reflection when deciding ones values and goals.
Carla Harris — Senior Advisor, Morgan Stanley, Former Chair, National Women’s Business Council, gospel singer. She is an advocate for the importance of self-reflection when deciding one’s values and goals.

Compelling Kecia Steelman

Kecia Steelman — CEO, Ulta Beauty, 2026 Time Woman of the Year. She started at Target 30 years ago, moved on to Home Depot, spent five years in leadership at Family Dollar, and joined Ulta Beauty in 2015.
Kecia Steelman — CEO, Ulta Beauty, 2026 Time Woman of the Year. She started at Target 30 years ago, moved on to Home Depot, spent five years in leadership at Family Dollar, and joined Ulta Beauty in 2015.

Magnificent Mary Dillon

Mary Dillon — Board Chair & CEO, Save The Children. Her outstanding career was founded on her ability to make choices that unify disparate needs, see the big picture and steer a wise course with focus and empathy.
Mary Dillon — Board Chair & CEO, Save The Children. Her outstanding career was founded on her ability to make choices that unify disparate needs, see the big picture, and steer a wise course with focus and empathy.

Tenacious Tammy Duckworth

Tammy Duckworth — U.S. Senator of Illinois. She knows what it means to overcome challenges. Before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2017, she served 23 years in the U.S. Army Reserves, and she continues to advocate for soldiers and veterans.
Tammy Duckworth — U.S. Senator of Illinois. She knows what it means to overcome challenges. Before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2017, she served 23 years in the U.S. Army Reserves, and she continues to advocate for soldiers and veterans.

Charismatic Celena Roldan

Celena Roldan — Incoming President, Start Early. She previously served as CEO of American Red Cross Illinois.
Celena Roldan — Incoming President, Start Early. She previously served as CEO of American Red Cross Illinois.

Visionary Victoria Medvec

Victoria Medvec — Professor at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management & Cofounder of Center for Executive Women. We all need what she has — a better way to negotiate what we want while making the other person feel good about giving it to us.
Victoria Medvec — Professor at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management & Cofounder of Center for Executive Women. We all need what she has — a better way to negotiate what we want while making the other person feel good about giving it to us.

Sincerely Susan Morrison (in memoriam)

Susan Morrison — Founding Trustee, Women’s Sports Foundation and Women Moving Millions. She believed in the power of sports to transform lives and understood that sports can play an important role in girls’ development.
Susan Morrison — Founding Trustee, Women’s Sports Foundation and Women Moving Millions. She believed in the power of sports to transform lives and understood that sports can play an important role in girls’ development.

Heavenly Helene Gayle, MD

Helene Gayle, MD — Former CEO of CARE and Chicago Community Trust, Past President Spellman University. She has devoted the majority of her life to aiding the most vulnerable populations.
Helene Gayle, MD — Former CEO of CARE and Chicago Community Trust, Past President Spellman University. She has devoted the majority of her life to aiding the most vulnerable populations.

The Next Generation

I am thrilled to see the next generation of my family stepping into their purpose and using their platforms too. Oh, what a proud mama I am of Skatie and Emma Noyes!
I am thrilled to see the next generation of my family stepping into their purpose and using their platforms too. Oh, what a proud mama I am of Skatie and Emma Noyes!
Susan Noyes

Susan B. Noyes is the founder of the Make It Better Foundation, which publishes Better Magazine, writer, philanthropist and civic activist who has founded or served on many boards — including the American Red Cross, Chicago Public Education Fund, Harvard Graduate School Of Education, Joffrey Ballet, Poetry Foundation, Rush Nerobehavioral Center for Children, New Trier High School District, and her beloved Kenilworth Union Church.

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