"I appreciate being recognized by Newsweek and only hope that their series on women leaders will inspire other women worldwide to speak out and become leaders in their own communities. Young women in particular need to be encouraged to speak up and defend their rights, their communities, and the planet. Women are very powerful and, working together, can be effective initiators of much needed change," said May.

"She [Elizabeth] walks the walk and she really does care about saving the world," said long-time friend Sherry Blinkhorn. "When you are one-on-one with her, people will see that she genuinely believes what she says. She is one of the most intelligent people I've ever met."

The short list also includes: U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Australia's first female Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Nobel Peace Prize Winner and founder of the Kenyan Green Party Wangari Maathai, and German Green Party Chairwoman Renate Künast -- who according to Newsweek may very well become the first Green to head a state.