A、Because she’s going to be taking the role of the Today Show from Wednesday. B、Because she’s accomplished a lot over the course

Ann Curry: For a 3rd consecutive year, Forbes Magazine has selected tile 100 most powerful women in the world. Chana Schoenbergcr is an associate editor at Forbes Magazine.
Ann Curry: Chana, good morning.
Chana: Good morning.
Ann Curry: Thank you lot joining us. Let’s talk about your criteria first because you’re talking about the most powerful women in the world.
Chana: Well, we’re looking at three things. We’re looking at the amount of money that they control, we’re looking at their resume, their job. their previous jobs, and we’re also looking at their public profile, and their press entrance. For example, No. 1 on the list is German chancellor Angela Merkel, and No.2 is Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Ann Curry: Ok, and I’m noticing; some of them might be predictable, but some of these people on the list, maybe most of us have not heard of. For example, at No.76, you have Angela Ahrendts. Why did you put her on the list?
Chana: Angela Ahrendts is the chief executive of Burberry. She’s brand new to the job and her predecessor Rose Marie Bravo was also on our list last year when she had this job. Burberry is a very important fashion company and of course, as women, we hive the brand. It’s so exciting to have her on the list. In addition, Hillary Rodham Clinton, the senator is on the list at No. 18, which is predictable, but what may be somewhat surprising to the pubic is Laura Bush at 43.
Ann Curry: Well, there conies my question. Why is Hillary Rodham Clinton way up on the list and someone like Laura Bush at 43?
Chana: Well. it’s interesting, because if a question I get asked all the time is, all, you know, if there were a woman President of the US, would she be No. 17 And the answer is if there were a woman President, she’ll probably be No. 1. And right now Hillary is the woman who is poised to possibly be the Democratic nominee and maybe even to be the President, so that makes her extremely powerful, much more powerful than an ordinary senator would be.
Ann Curry: Speaking of women presidents, Michelle Bachelet, she’s the President of Chile, she’s the first woman ever elected president of a South American nation, And you have her at No. 17.
Chana: She’s a really big deal, and she’s only the second female president in all of Latin America. She was a political dissident. She was jailed, She was exiled, you know, her family was jailed. She’s a doctor and so for her to become President of Chile. it’s a huge cheer. The Chileans were so excited about seeing her on this list. Apparently, they were all dancing in the street. It’s good to see that.
Ann Curry: You also have at No. 22, the chief executive and president of eBay, Margaret Whitman, and she’s got to be pretty influential.
Chana: Well, she’s also one of the richest women in the world, one of tile richest people in the world and she’s built the company. She’s not a founder, but she came in anti built this company into a powerhouse for the online world, one of the most successful companies on the Internet. Um, and also I should probably mention that there are a lot of newswomen on this list including Meredith Vieira, who’s gonna be coming and taking the role of the Today Show in a week from Wednesday.
Ann Curry: Now why did you put Meredith Vieira on the list when she’s sort of in between?
Chana: Well, it’s a good question. Many people have asked, why did you put Meredith Vieira on the list when she’s sort of in between? Is it because she’s going to be taking the role of the Today Show or is it because of what she’s already dome over tile course of her many years in this profession? Well, I would say it’s a recognition of her accomplishments, but it’s also because she’s taking over this great show. And so many people will be watching her. She’s going to be so influential in what she says. and she is an award-winning newswoman but she’s also spent nine years on the View. I don’t have to tell you about this, but she’s very connected with viewers she’s told her personal stories, her own struggles, and the audience is really connected with her, so she’s going to have a lot of power.
Ann Curry: And she’s at 69 now. I’m guessing that her number’s gonna rise as time goes on.
Ann Curry: Thank you so much Chana.
Chana: Thank you.