Today, Time released its annual list of the 100 most influential people around the world. Divided into five sections – pioneers, titans, artists, leaders, and icons – Time’s list includes both the most prominent figures and those affecting change at a local level. This year’s list is different in a few ways. For one, there are more women than ever. Also, almost half of those features are 45 and younger.
“Time’s annual list of the world’s most influential people is a designation of individuals whose time, in our estimation, is now,” wrote Edward Felsenthal explaining how the magazine made its picks. “The Time 100 isn’t a measure of power, though many on the list wield it. Nor is it a collection of milestones accumulated. As our staff considers candidates, we often find ourselves wowed by those with stunning lifetime achievements. But editorial director Dan Macsai, maestro of the Time 100, brings us back to the key question: Was this their year?”
The list is full of controversial figures, but also many who are driving forces. Along well-known faces, you’ll also see those getting the recognition they deserve. Here are the Latinos and Latin Americans who made Time‘s list this year:
1
Pioneers: Emma González
Emma González made the list along with her classmates from Marjory Stoneman Douglas. After Nikolas Cruz opened fire on Valentine’s Day, she has become an important voice in the push for gun control. “The Parkland, Fla., students don’t have the kind of lobbyists or big budgets for attack ads that their opponents do. Most of them can’t even vote yet,” former President Barack Obama wrote. “But they have the power so often inherent in youth: to see the world anew; to reject the old constraints, outdated conventions and cowardice too often dressed up as wisdom.”
Read more here.
2
Pioneers: Cardi B
We’re only in April, but Cardi B has already had a phenomenal year between the success of her debut album and making history on the charts.
“The first time I went on her Instagram page, she was so raw, coming at you, like, whoa! She used words like ‘shmoney’ and ‘shmoves,’ and she talked openly about being a former stripper,” Taraji P. Henson wrote. “And she was proud of it—like, So what, I was on the pole, look what I parlayed that into? When she showed her soul like that, I hit the Follow button. I felt like she had the voice of the people, you know what I mean?”
Read more here.
3
Artists: Guillermo del Toro
At this year’s Oscars, Guillermo del Toro’s Shape of Water won four statuettes. “To watch one of Guillermo’s masterpieces is an experience in escapism and wonder,” Jordan Peele wrote. “To gnaw on the totality of his work reveals an obsession with the eternally forbidden romance between beauty and beast. Guillermo is in love with monsters and lives to show us that we are too. With each fable he weaves, he pushes us closer to acceptance of a primal truth: that we each have a deep connection to the spectrum of otherness.”
Read more here.
4
Leaders: Carmen Yulín Cruz
In the months since a devastating hurricane hit Puerto Rico and wiped out 100 percent of the power, Carmen Yulín Cruz has fought for the island. “From the chaos, delays and indecision, a shout for help was heard. The mayor of San Juan, Carmen Yulín Cruz, became the voice of the disenfranchised citizens,” Benicio del Toro wrote. “She was passionate, courageous and articulate. And little by little, her words got the crisis the attention it desperately needs, just as if it were happening in Florida or Texas.”
Read more here.
5
Icons: Jennifer Lopez
Like every year, Jennifer Lopez always has a lot going on. ” She is an undeniable force and a powerful example – not just for women of color but for anyone who has been made to feel ‘other’ and for everyone who carries the burden and the privilege of being a first,” Kerry Washington wrote. “To me, no matter how successful she becomes, she will always be Jenny from our block.”
6
Icons: Cristina Jiménez
As the co-founder of United We Dream, Cristina Jiménez has long fought for the rights of immigrants. “After arriving in Queens at the age of 13 from Ecuador, Cristina experienced living in the shadows firsthand and wanted to fight back,” Selena Gomez wrote. “She co-founded United We Dream in 2008, the first and largest organization run by youth to protect and defend immigrant rights. Cristina and the rest of the tireless United We Dream members played an important role in President Obama’s decision to sign the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.”
Read more here.
7
Icons: Daniela Vega
Chilean actress Daniela Vega’s role in A Fantastic Woman was history making. “Chile is so proud of Daniela Vega and the team that wrote and produced the movie she starred in, A Fantastic Woman, which was the first Chilean film to win the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film,” former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet wrote. “The movie shows the challenges we face not only as a country but also as human beings – that is, to accept and confront the reality of transgender people in our societies. It’s urgent, and a matter of human rights.”
Read more here.