Washingtonian: Washington's Most Powerful Women 2021

Power in Washington is a complicated thing to quantify. Some people have it by virtue of the office they hold. Others maintain it by virtue of their reputations, no matter what their business card might read. And in a political city, many of the most powerful among us owe their clout to voters—either the constituents who elect them directly or the national electorate who picks the government every four years.

That last factor is a reason why this year’s Most Powerful Women list is replete with new names—not only did the government change, but the new administration put a lot more women into top jobs, starting with the vice-presidency.

Of course, not all power resides in high-profile arenas like politics. Some of the most powerful women on our list might be able to walk down Pennsylvania Avenue unnoticed—while still causing people to tremble in whatever other world they help shape.

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Holly Harris, president of Justice Action Network. She’s at the center of fights over criminal-justice reform.

https://www.washingtonian.com/2021/10/13/washingtons-most-powerful-women-2021/#Lobbying-and-Advocacy