Brits top poll of world's most inspiring women

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Successful author and business woman J K Rowling has today been named the most inspiring woman in the world as voted by British women, with celebrities including Victoria Beckham, Colleen Rooney and Cheryl Cole failing to make the top ten.

The Inspiring Women poll[1], conducted by Sheilas' Wheels, reveals that British women are most inspired by other powerful British women - with the Queen, Dame Judi Dench and Margaret Thatcher taking second, third and fourth spots respectively. 

However, given the impact Michelle Obama made on the UK last month it's no surprise that America's First Lady also makes the top five, just below our very own 'Iron Lady'.  Other Americans to make the top ten include media mogul Oprah Winfrey and one half of ‘Brangelina' - Angelina Jolie - in ninth and tenth place.

Sheilas' Wheels Top Ten Inspiring Women:

  1. J K Rowling
  2. The Queen
  3. Dame Judi Dench
  4. Margaret Thatcher
  5. Michelle Obama
  6. Ellen McArthur
  7. Julie Walters
  8. Kylie Minogue
  9. Oprah Winfrey
  10. Angelina Jolie

The least Inspiring Women, who failed to make the list, included Kate Moss, Britney Spears and Keira Knightly - all with no votes.

The Sheilas' Wheels poll also reveals the traits women believe make other women inspiring[2], with strength of character and good morals being deemed the most significant followed by determination and intelligence.  Style was voted low on this list of traits - so perhaps it's not surprising that Cheryl Cole missed out on a top ten position coming in at twentieth.

Jacky Brown at Sheilas' Wheels, comments:  "It's reassuring to see that today's modern woman is aspiring to strong, intelligent figures in the public eye.  The Sheilas' Wheels poll celebrates female talent, showing that you don't have to be a size zero to succeed and inspire others.

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Full top twenty Inspiring Women list available on request

For further information please contact the Sheilas' Wheels press office at Mischief PR on 020 7100 9999 or email sheilaswheels@mischiefpr.com

Visit the media centre: www.sheilaswheels.com
Visit the official fansite for Sheilas’ Wheels: www.ilovesheilas.com

An ISDN line is available for radio interviews.

Notes to Editors:
[1] Sheilas' Wheels used the independent online research company Fly Research who surveyed 1,000 females in the UK, from across the country aged 18 and over, on 7th April 2009.

[2] Women were asked to rank in order which traits they deemed the most important (from 1 to 15) - results for this are accumulative.

Sheilas' Wheels top fifteen inspiring traits:

  1. Strength of character / good morals
  2. Determination
  3. Intelligence
  4. Ability to bounce back from setbacks
  5. Independence
  6. Dedication to family life
  7. Ability to juggle a career and family life
  8. Personal success
  9. Bravery
  10. Being charitable / giving
  11. Creativity / artistic ability
  12. Eloquence
  13. Career success
  14. Style
  15. Business acumen

About Sheilas' Wheels:

Sheilas' Wheels was launched in October 2005 to offer women drivers cheaper car insurance and product enhancements including £300 handbag cover - for bags stolen from the car (comprehensive cover only), competitive breakdown recovery rates, a dedicated counselling line run by trained professionals to help customers cope with driving issues such as road rage (comprehensive cover only) and a network of female-friendly repairers. In February 2008, the brand moved beyond car insurance to also offer home insurance.

Sponsorship:

Sheilas' Wheels sponsors the ITV National and Channel 4 Weather bulletins: 'The weather you can never choose, but Sheilas' Wheels is all good news!'