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In May, "60 Minutes" devoted a 13-minute segment to Vogue editor Anna Wintour, in which she was described as a woman who "strikes terror in some, loathing in others." In the show's introduction, interviewer Morley Safer read an excerpt from Wintour's unauthorized biography, in which Vogue is described as the "bitch-eat-bitch world of fashion." "Bitch" is certainly the part of Wintour's reputation most of us know best. But in the process, Wintour has built an empire. For 21 years, she has determined what we will all be wearing, often by no more than a nod at a runway show. Appearing on the David Letterman show last month, she said she is "very decisive" and appreciates good work. Is it wrong that we choose to focus on her icy persona, rather than her success? As "Sex and the City" author Candace Bushnell ranted recently, "How come every time women manage to break out of traditional roles, someone comes along and tries to ruin it with a derogatory label?" From ball busters to bad girls to bitches to sluts, these 11 women have been called it all. Now you tell us if you think they're fair descriptions--or egregious slurs.

 
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Member Comments

  • Posted By: enovotny @ 10/01/2009 1:55:51 PM

    I am thrilled that Newsweek brought this important topic to open debate again. Mysogeny UNFORTUNATELY runs rampant in the US. Double standards are heart-breaking and challenging to discuss with my daughter, 12, on the cusp on young womanhood. This is a topic of significant, ongoing social importance.

    Ellen Novotny -- Alamosa, Colorado

  • Posted By: wendyboneabroad @ 09/14/2009 11:11:04 PM

    Who cares whether these women are attractive or not! It's the quality of their minds and the strength of their character that is most important. The mere fact that you attacked these women based on their looks is further proof of how far we have to go as a society to appreciate women for who they are, not just what they look like. In contrast, men in power are rarely, if ever, criticized for their receding hair lines, bulbous noses or fat paunches.

  • Posted By: Divalicias @ 09/13/2009 2:19:17 AM

    This article is disturbing and sexist. I've had the pleasure of meeting two of these women and found they are warm, real, and interesting human beings. How dare Newsweek feed the sexist myth that women in leadership are cold.calculating and evil? What's with obnoxious name-calling toward women who've made it to the top of their games?

    Can we next see an article featuring the top 11 men who are sexist pigs, gropers, and motherf--kers?

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