Empowering Girls: A New Era of Leadership Unveiled by TIME and the LEGO Group

TIME and the LEGO Group have joined forces to introduce a groundbreaking initiative that champions exceptional girls from around the globe. The inaugural Girls of the Year list, revealed by TIME, celebrates 10 young leaders who are making a significant impact in their communities and beyond. This collaboration, spearheaded by TIME’s esteemed editorial team, showcases the remarkable achievements of these inspirational young women. The list, supported by the LEGO Group’s She Built That campaign, aims to break stereotypes and empower girls to view themselves as capable builders of their own futures. Among the extraordinary individuals featured on the 2025 TIME Girls of the Year list are Rutendo Shadaya, a young advocate for authors in New Zealand; Coco Yoshizawa, an Olympic gold-medalist from Japan; and Valerie Chiu, a science educator from China, among others. These young leaders span various fields, from science and engineering to activism and sports, embodying the essence of courage and determination. TIME CEO Jessica Sibley expressed, “At TIME, we believe that leadership knows no age boundaries. The young women recognized in our inaugural TIME Girls of the Year list exemplify this belief by demonstrating remarkable courage and purpose in shaping their communities.” The collaboration between the LEGO Group and TIME Studios has resulted in a captivating limited-edition animated TIME cover, portraying the Girls of the Year as LEGO Minifigures. Each character embodies the essence of their accomplishments, set to the empowering new LEGO anthem, She Built That. A recent study by the LEGO Group revealed that there is a perception issue surrounding the term “Building” among girls, with many struggling to see themselves as skilled builders. This partnership aims to provide young girls with visible female role models who are actively creating positive change in the world. Julia Goldin, Chief Product & Marketing Officer at the LEGO Group, emphasized the importance of inspiring the next generation of female builders. She stated, “There’s no limit to what girls can achieve. Recognizing young women globally who are shaping a better world is crucial in empowering future generations to dream big and make a lasting impact.” The TIME Girls of the Year initiative aligns with TIME’s commitment to highlighting individuals who are driving positive change in various sectors. By showcasing the accomplishments of these young female leaders, the collaboration aims to inspire confidence, creativity, and innovation among girls worldwide. This partnership marks a significant step towards challenging societal norms and empowering girls to see themselves as architects of change. The TIME Girls of the Year list not only celebrates the achievements of these exceptional young women but also paves the way for a new era of female leadership and empowerment. ###