It is refreshing to see women in positions of power.

Since women and ethnic minorities (mostly Blacks or African Americans) are usually shut out of positions of power, it is refreshing to see this list (let the pictures load) of the most powerful women in the world.

Among the women are some African Americans, like Oprah and Secretary of State, Condi Rice, and women who will discomfort some Republicans, such as Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senator Hillary Clinton, but comfort them also, like First Lady Laura Bush. One of the women, who is considered a world class Goodwill Ambassador, as well as CNN's Foreign Affairs Correspondent, is the indefatigable Christiana Amanpour.