The 7 Most Powerful Women in Government

Seven women who work for the U.S. Government made Forbes magazine's 2012 "The World's 100 Most Powerful Women" list. Many are very familiar faces. The annual rankings are determined by three factors: money (based on country GDP in The World Factbook), media (a composite of news hits and social media presence over the last 12 months) and impact (reach across industries and active use of power).

Below are the seven women on the list who work for the U.S. Government:

Hillary Clinton – Secretary of State – Ranking: #2

• Age: 64
• Residence: Washington, DC
• Education: Bachelor of Arts / Science, Wellesley College; Master of Laws, Yale University
• Marital Status: Married
• Children: 1

Michelle Obama – First Lady – Ranking: #7

• Age: 48
• Residence: Washington, DC
• Education: Bachelor of Arts / Science, Princeton University; Doctor of Jurisprudence, Harvard University
• Marital Status: Married
• Children: 2

Janet Napolitano – Secretary, Department of Homeland Security – Ranking: #9

• Age: 54
• Residence: Washington, DC
• Education: Doctor of Jurisprudence, University of Virginia; Bachelor of Arts / Science, Santa Clara University
• Marital Status: Single

Nancy Pelosi – Minority Leader of the House of Representatives – Ranking #28

• Age: 72
• Residence: San Francisco, CA
• Education: Bachelor of Arts / Science, Trinity Washington University
• Marital Status: Married
• Children: 5

Kathleen Sebelius – Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services –  Ranking #31

• Age: 64
• Residence: Topeka, KS
• Education: Master of Business Administration, University of Kansas; Bachelor of Arts / Science, Trinity Washington University
• Marital Status: Married
• Children: 2

Margaret Hamburg – Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration – Ranking #61

• Age: 57
• Residence: Washington, DC
• Education: Medical Doctor, Harvard University
• Marital Status: Married
• Children: 2

Mary Schapiro – Chair, Securities and Exchange Commission – Ranking #65

• Age: 57
• Residence: Washington, DC
• Education: Doctor of Jurisprudence, George Washington University; Bachelor of Arts / Science, Franklin & Marshall College
• Marital Status: Married
• Children: 2

See the full list of the world's 100 most powerful women at Forbes.

Follow Excellence in Government on Twitter | Facebook | Google + | LinkedIn