By Presence:

1. Ellen DeGeneres, because she has been a deep, life-changing influence on millions of people — the first openly gay performer with a hugely successful talk show and, now, chosen most popular television personality over No. 2 — Oprah! How deep is the influence when so many so affectionately have accepted Ellen, first, as a human? A talented, funny, lovable one — but a human.

By Commitment:

2. Oprah and Angelina (thanks, Liz) because they’ve used their fame and money to make such a huge difference. They’ve both raised consciousness around the world. They’ve each proven by personal commitment just how much one person can make a difference.

By Fearless Determination and Belief in Self:

3. Hillary, in spite of relentless, hateful attack and ridicule, gleefully counted down again and again, Hillary rallied against all of it to inspire 18 million Americans to vote for her, to believe in her candidacy and to sustain a long-term loyalty that, one day, will likely put her in the White House as the first woman president … I say all this even though I look squint-eyed at all politicians. But some, I believe, are way better than others and how much better depends on us. Condoleezza Rice, not! I can’t go there. I don’t know how anyone in the Bush Administration can be redeemed after actively being a part of misleading our great country and running it into the ground. Speaking above of one person making a difference: It will take millions of people to undo the harm that’s been done by this one president.