These Americans Could Lead Anyone!

The United States of America wouldn’t be the most powerful nation in the world if it didn’t have a history of great leaders. From the authors of the Declaration of Independence to brave abolitionists, the U.S. boasts an impressive number of renowned leaders whose work and efforts still resonate. Here are 20 of America’s greatest leaders. 

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1. John F. Kennedy

John F. Kennedy (JFK) might be best known for his brutal assassination, but he was a formidable leader. JFK was responsible for establishing the Peace Corps, but it was his leadership during the Cuban Missile Crisis that cemented his place among the great leaders. His leadership was defined as much by his contributions as his charisma, and his death left a gaping hole in American politics. 

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2. Benjamin Franklin

The colonies might never have united to form the U.S. if not for Benjamin Franklin. He was the diplomat to France, and to cap things off, he was instrumental in drafting the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He signed all the founding documents of the U.S.: the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Alliance with France, the Treaty of Paris, and the Constitution. 

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3 .Susan B. Anthony

Anthony was a pivotal leader in securing voting rights for women. A Quaker committed to social justice, Anthony provided the country with pivotal leadership in many areas of women’s rights and social reform. She remains a shining example of social and political activism. 

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4. Ulysses S. Grant

Ulysses S. Grant was an important general for the Union Army, leading them to victory in the U.S. Civil War. He was also the 18th president of the U.S., who presided over the Reconstruction Era following the Civil War. 

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5. Andrew Carnegie

Andrew Carnegie was a business magnate who helped build the very influential and profitable steel industry. He wasn’t just a titan of industry, however. He was also a big philanthropist, having donated hundreds of millions of dollars to causes such as education. 

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6. Lyndon B. Johnson

As the 36th U.S. president, Johnson was a key figure in the Civil Rights movement. He signed the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. The one black eye of his presidency was that he was responsible for escalating the Vietnam War. 

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7. Madeleine Albright

Madeleine Albright served as the Secretary of State under Bill Clinton, an important period for U.S. geopolitics. She was the first woman to ever be appointed to that role and was also a celebrated diplomat and political scientist. 

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8. Franklin D. Roosevelt

Franklin Roosevelt was the country’s 32nd president, and his leadership was apparent during the Great Depression and World War II. He ushered in the New Deal, a series of federal programs that offered financial relief for Americans and, ultimately, led to recovery from harsh economic times.

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9. Harriet Tubman

The leader of the Underground Railroad, Tubman was one of the U.S.’s truest abolitionists and activists. She made roughly 13 missions to rescue slaves via a network of safe houses and allies. 

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10. Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King was the country’s most prominent civil rights leader, leading the March on Washington in 1963. He is considered one of the greatest leaders in modern history for his tireless work in bringing civil rights to African Americans. A large part of his legacy is his advocacy for nonviolent protests, and he was known to give a great speech or two. 

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11. Barack Obama

Barack Obama was the first black president in American history, and his leadership inspired a generation and brought the Affordable Care Act to fruition. This act delivered more health insurance coverage. His American Recovery and Reinvestment Act helped soften the damage of the Great Recession. 

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12. Ronald Reagan

Ronald Regan’s time as president saw Cold War tensions between the U.S. and Russia come to an end. Despite his reputation being marred by the Iran-Contra scandal, Reagan was a highly influential Conservative leader whose actions still impact the country today. 

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13. Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a lawyer who rose to the Supreme Court in 1993. She became a trailblazer for women’s rights and gender equality. She founded the ACLU Women’s Rights Project and litigated six landmark discrimination cases. She was an irreplaceable leader right up until her death at the age of 87. 

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14. Walt Disney

A renowned business leader and visionary, Walt Disney transformed the entertainment industry and revolutionized animation, paving the way for animated films to be taken seriously and become cultural mainstays. He produced Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, the first full-length animated film.  

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15. Thurgood Marshall

Thurgood Marshall was the first black Supreme Court Justice, where he served from 1967 to 1991. Before that, he was a legendary American civil rights lawyer, bravely combating discrimination in the courts.

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16. Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt was a long-serving first lady who expanded and redefined the role, making it far more meaningful. She advocated for African American and Asian American civil rights and fought for the rights of refugees during World War II.

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17. Clara Barton

Clara Barton was a nurse during the Civil War and would go on to found the American Red Cross in 1881. During the Civil War, she risked her life to bring supplies to the troops during field combat. 

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18. George Washington

The first U.S. president is also one of the country’s more revered and legendary leaders. George Washington was the Commander-in-Chief during the American Revolution and was instrumental during the Constitutional Convention.

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19. Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation and led the Union to victory over the Confederacy. His leadership was key during one of the most tumultuous periods in U.S. history. He also supported the Homestead Act and established the Department of Agriculture. 

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20. Dwight D. Eisenhower

Dwight Eisenhower was a Supreme Allied Commander in World War II and would eventually be sworn in as the 34th President of the United States. Before his first presidential term, Eisenhower was Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army and Supreme Commander of NATO. 

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