About this List

In early 2020, to kick off the Year of the Nurse and Midwife, Women in Global Health and collaborating partners released a call for nominations, for our 100+ Outstanding Women Nurse and Midwife List to feature stories and work of nurses and midwives around the world to be celebrated and recognized.

We accepted nominations for women and self-nominations throughout the course of several months through an online submission form across eight categories:

Diversity – Women whose advocacy has helped to create a more diverse health workforce.
Public Policy – Women working at either a local or national level who use their influence to work towards better social inclusion and equality.
Innovation, Science & Health – Women who are driving scientific, technological, or other significant innovation either within academia, the workplace, or the broader community.
Human Capital Development – Women working in teaching or academia to grow the new generation of leaders.
Board & Management – Women working in senior management or as directors whose influence extends beyond the confines of their role and incorporates the personal support and mentoring of others in their communities.
Primary Health Care – Women who demonstrate leadership and a positive influence on primary health care (including improving clinical nursing practice) and grassroots communities.
Community Hero – Women working in the not for profit sector in community projects or campaigns.
Young Nurse and Midwife Leader – Aged under 30 (as of 1 May 2020) who demonstrate a capacity to act as a catalyst for change, and represent a new generation of leaders, who advocate for and give a voice to younger women.

Nominations were selected and ranked by a steering committee with representatives from Women in Global Health and each of the partner organizations, WHO, UNFPA, International Confederation of Midwives, and Nursing Now. The selection process was based on the above categories, their contributions to global health, and the information that was provided in the nominee form. We received over 300+ nominations from around the world. Over 100+ final nominees were then selected, with representation from 43 countries, and 6 global regions. We limited the selection to no more than 5 nominees being selected per country and weighed in geographical diversity.

The steering committee and team including the following members:

WHO