I’ve never been big on Valentine’s Day or other Hallmark holidays. I would fall over laughing if my husband showed up with a bouquet of red roses or a box of chocolates. We also refrain from going out to dinner on February 14th, because, well, we prefer to show love and affection on any given day, rather than one that’s been commercially hijacked.

But, you do you. 😍

This year, I want to use Valentine’s Day to express my love and admiration for a handful of women who have been on my radar lately. Women who are making their mark on the world. Women who refuse to give up or give in. Some I know, some I’ve never met. But they are all women who inspire me.

This is not an exhaustive list, just a few of my favs right now. They all share one common quality – a dogged determination to make a difference.

Lucy Liu

Refuses to be boxed in and champions women’s rights

You may know her from Kill Bill, Charlie’s Angels, or Ally McBeal. Always in a supporting role, until now. After nearly a decade in the making, Lucy produced and stars in the gut-wrenching Rosemead. And, get this – it’s her FIRST lead part at age 57. (Yep, it’s true.)

She is also a tireless UNICEF ambassador and a strong advocate for victims of child trafficking. She’s been a longtime supporter of same-sex marriage and became a spokeswoman for the Human Rights Campaign in 2011.

Through a mutual friend, I met Lucy Liu and immediately connected with her. She is warm, articulate, and tenacious. (She likes to drop an f-bomb, just like me.) When she learned about the focus of my upcoming book, written to empower women in the workplace, she wholeheartedly endorsed it.

So, if you’re wondering if you have the energy or grit to persist, Lucy is here to remind you that you do.

MacKenzie Scott

Gives generously without fanfare or ego

Once best known for her contributions to Amazon in its early days and for being married to Jeff Bezos, MacKenzie Scott is a force for good. After their divorce, she became the third-wealthiest woman in the US. However, she’s not your run-of-the-mill billionaire (if that’s a thing). You don’t see her on rocket ships, keynoting fancy events with fancy people, or appearing on notable podcasts. Nope. Instead, she’s quietly – massively – donating to causes she cares about, such as racial equality, LGBTQ+ equality, democracy, and climate change.

All the things the world desperately needs right now.

By the end of 2025, MacKenzie had given a total of $26.3 billion – that’s BILLION with a B – to over 1,600 charitable organizations. Can you wrap your head around that?!?

She’s showing the world what is expected from billionaires – humanity, humility, and generosity. She’s redistributing wealth to give others a chance to rise. Most impressively, her donations come with no strings attached. She doesn’t want, or ask for, her name on a building or to be celebrated. In fact, she avoids the spotlight. None of that fanfare for this no-nonsense baller, whom I hope to meet one day.

Shannon Watts

Fights tirelessly for kids and empowering moms

In December of 2012, Shannon Watts was what you could describe as “a little busy” raising five kids, ranging from elementary through high school. Yet her outrage at the Sandy Hook shooting inspired her to take action. She immediately formed a Facebook group to unite women against the gun lobby, and her efforts grew into a powerful grassroots movement. Ultimately, she formed Moms Demand Action, which now has chapters in every state and six million supporters nationwide.

The organization’s efforts have significantly influenced gun violence prevention by electing common-sense candidates to office, passing hundreds of state-level laws, blocking harmful legislation, and influencing corporate policies.

Somehow, she also found time to write a New York Times bestseller, Fired Up, and to generously blurb my upcoming book. That makes me fired up!

Reshma Saujani

Elevates childcare as an infrastructure issue

You might know Reshma as the founder of Girls Who Code, which has taught nearly 600,000 girls and increased the number of women in computer science. But these days, she’s making the rounds on CNN, social media, podcasts, and testifying in Congress on a different mission – and the world owes her a debt of gratitude.

As an attorney, activist, and entrepreneur, she founded Moms First to drive meaningful change, attracting over one million moms and supporters advocating for affordable childcare, paid leave, and equal opportunities for women in the workplace. Recently, she worked with Congress to introduce the “Marshall Plan for Moms” at the federal level and with New York State and NYC to provide free childcare for two-year-olds. She also wrote the New York Times bestselling book, “Pay Up: The Future of Women and Work,” and hosts culturally relevant discussions on her podcast, “My So-Called Midlife.” (Note: she didn’t respond to my request for a blurb, but hey, no hard feelings. She’s doing awesome work.)

Chelsea Handler

Brings levity while challenging bullies and bullshit

Chelsea is a girl’s girl. (And gay guys love her, too). She’s not for everyone, and she’s not apologizing for that. That’s why I love her so. She lives fully, boldly, and authentically – always advocating for and empowering women to live their best lives. While she is known for her books (six of them – all bestsellers!), her various shows (including hosting gigs at award shows like the Critics’ Choice Awards), and her standups, you might be surprised to know that she gives excellent personal life advice on her podcast, Dear Chelsea. She and her guests (and sometimes her co-host) take questions from listeners who call or write in. Her advice helps women overcome obstacles, skillfully confront people holding them down, and take concrete action. She is extraordinarily well-read despite not attending college, and she draws on years of therapy to offer pithy, empowering insights. (Admittedly, one of my dreams is to be a guest on her podcast, offering career advice to her listeners.)

She has never married or had children and expresses ongoing happiness (and certainty) about her decisions. While her life choices get attacked by traditionalists, she doesn’t shy away or back down. She stands her ground and makes it safe for more women to make choices that align with their values and desires.

The girl likes to party. She celebrates her birthdays by skiing in Whistler, often in a bikini, wearing a boa, holding a cocktail, and carrying her Chow Chow dog on her back. C’mon, she’s fun!!!

And we could all use a little more fun this year, don’t you think?

This Valentine’s Day, skip the cards and hooplah and spread a little more love to people who inspire you and are making the world better for everyone.

You are equipt with more inspiring women in your orbit,