30 Inspirational Women Who Have Received 1 of Britain's Highest Honors — Damehood

Updated on 4/25/2018 at 8:00 AM

You might have heard of the prestigious honor of being a "dame," but what exactly does it mean? The British title, announced as part of the Queen's New Year's Honours list, rewards the achievements and service of extraordinary people across the UK, its overseas territories, and, in some cases, the Commonwealth. British dames are essentially a select group of women who have achieved greatness in their chosen fields.

In terms of the hierarchy, a damehood is the female equivalent of a knighthood, so the title of Dame is equivalent to Sir. It's the most senior honor in the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, which was created in 1917 by King George V. The order comprises five classes across both civil and military divisions, and many dames hold other honors (such as an OBE or an MBE) before receiving their damehood.

Though many of the dames who instantly come to mind may be those in the fields of entertainment — Judi Dench, Helen Mirren, and Maggie Smith, to name a few — a lot of the women who receive the honor are less well-known outside of their own industry or specialism. Dames can be judges or journalists, politicians or philanthropists. Many honors are given to those working in academia and research, as well as those holding senior positions at large companies and corporations. In recent years, new dames have included everyone from a mezzo soprano to the former managing director of a publishing house.

Of course, the order is not without its controversies, and a number of high-profile recipients have chosen to decline the honor over the years. Some object to the monarchy, some disapprove of the hierarchy of the system itself, some disagree with previous recipients (for political or ethical reasons, for example). Many choose to decline privately, but a number of those who've done so publicly have stated that they feel uncomfortable being associated with an Empire that caused so much suffering through colonization. Actress Vanessa Redgrave, who turned down a damehood in 1999, told The Independent, "my difficulty is in receiving anything that says British Empire, because I am a Unicef special representative at the service of children from any country."

However, those who do accept the honor receive it from a senior member of the royal family (usually the Queen, Prince Charles, or Prince William) during an Investiture ceremony that traditionally takes place at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle. Wondering which women have nabbed the title over the years? Here are 30 amazing recipients, many of whom you might recognize.

Anna Wintour

Editor in Chief of Vogue Anna Wintour became a dame in 2017. Though she is most famous for her work on US publications, the London-born journalist started her career in the UK and is the daughter of a former editor of the Evening Standard newspaper.

Joan Collins

Actress and author Joan Collins became a dame in 2015.

Angela Lansbury

Murder She Wrote and Bedknobs and Broomsticks star Angela Lansbury (aka the original Mrs. Potts) was made a dame in 2014.

Asha Khemka

Only the fourth woman of Indian origin to be awarded a damehood, Asha Khemka received the honor for services to education in 2014. She is principal and CEO of West Nottinghamshire College in Mansfield and was also named Asian Businesswoman of the Year in 2017.

Cécile La Grenade

Cécile La Grenade is the first female Governor General of Grenada. Since it's a Commonwealth realm, Queen Elizabeth II is Queen of Grenada and Head of State. The Governor-General operates as a representative of the Crown. Dame Cécile is shown here with her insignia of the Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George Dame Grand Gross. Try saying that one three times quickly.

Vivienne Westwood

Fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, a leader in the punk movement, accepted the honor of becoming a dame in 2006. When she picked up her OBE in 1992, she famously did so wearing no underwear. This time around, she was a little more well-behaved!

June Whitfield

Actress June Whitfield (whom you'll recognize from dozens of British TV productions, including Absolutely Fabulous) was honored in 2017.

Julie Walters

Cementing her status as a national treasure, Harry Potter, Billy Elliot, and Educating Rita star Julie received her damehood in 2017.

Stephanie Shirley

IT pioneer, businesswoman, and philanthropist Stephanie "Steve" Shirley was made a dame in 2000 and was photographed here after being made a member of the Order of the Companions of Honor in 2017. This highly special honor is held by a maximum of 65 people at any given time. As well as being a pioneer in the world of computing, Dame Stephanie has donated over £60 million to different causes over her lifetime.

Beryl Grey

Internationally renowned ballet dancer Beryl Grey received her damehood in 1988 and in 2017 joined the Order of the Companions of Honor.

Evelyn Glennie

Musician Evelyn Glennie received her damehood in 2007 and was appointed to the Order of the Companions of Honor in 2017. Though she has been deaf since the age of 12, Glennie has worked as an internationally renowned percussionist since the 1970s. She claims to have taught herself to hear with parts of her body other than her ears.

Jessica Ennis-Hill

One of the leading lights of British athletics, Olympic gold-medal-winning heptathlete Jessica became a dame in 2017, a year after she announced her retirement.

Katherine Grainger

Rower Katherine is Britain's most decorated female Olympian, and she added a damehood to her list of honors in 2017.

Penelope Wilton

Calendar Girls and Downton Abbey actress Penelope, who has also picked up six Olivier Award nominations for her stage work, was honored in 2016.

Sue Black

Forensic anthropologist, anatomist, and academic professor Sue Black became a dame in 2016. Her career has seen her travel to the likes of Kosovo, Sierra Leone, and Iraq, assisting in the identification of victims and perpetrators of various conflicts. She was also part of the Thai Tsunami Victim Identification operation.

Barbara Windsor

Eastenders star and Carry On legend Babs received her damehood in 2016.

Heather Rabbatts

Solicitor, broadcaster, and businesswoman Heather Rabbatts became the youngest council chief in the UK when she was appointed chief executive of the London Borough of Lambeth in 1995. She was also the first woman to be appointed as a director of The Football Association, eventually stepping down at the end of last year. Her damehood was awarded in 2016, an upgrade from the CBE she received in 2000.

Natalie Massenet

Fashion industry icon Natalie Massenet changed the face of online retail when she launched Net-a-Porter in 2000, using the skills she learned as a fashion journalist to create a shop in a magazine format. She is now chairman of the British Fashion Council and became a dame in 2016.

Gillian Lynne

Gillian Lynne was 87 years old when she was made a dame in 2014 for her services to dance and musical theater. Starting out as a ballet dancer (and contemporary of Dame Beryl Grey), she went on to become a celebrated choreographer and is perhaps best known for her work on the long-running musicals Cats and The Phantom of the Opera.

Dianne Thompson

Former CEO of the Camelot group, Dianne Thompson became a dame in 2015, honored for her services to the National Lottery and charitable services.

Esther Rantzen

Journalist and broadcaster Esther Rantzen received her damehood in 2015. As well as being a well-known face to British TV viewers, she's also famous for her charitable work, particularly as founder of ChildLine.

Penelope Keith

The Good Life legend Penelope Keith was made a dame for her services to the arts and charity in 2014.

Mary Peters

Olympic gold medalist Mary Peters received her damehood in 2000 and was made Member of the Order of the Companions of Honor in 2015.

Zandra Rhodes

Fashion designer Zandra Rhodes, who also founded the Fashion and Textile Museum in London, received her damehood in 2014.

Hilary Mantel

Booker Prize-winning author Hilary Mantel, writer of the Cromwell trilogy that began with Wolf Hall, became a dame in 2014.

Dawn Primarolo

Labour Party politician Dawn Primarolo was awarded a damehood in 2014. She is a former Minister of State for Children, Young People and Families and was also a Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons.

Nicola Cullum

Nicola Cullum, a professor of nursing at the University of Manchester, became a dame in 2013.

Sarah Storey

Paralympic gold-medal-winning cyclist Sarah Storey received the honor in 2013.

Penelope Lively

Author Penelope Lively, who has written for both children and adults and is a Booker Prize nominee and Whitbread Children's Book Award winner, received her damehood in 2012.

Harriet Walter

Star of stage and screen Harriet Walter, whose work spans everything from the RSC to Law and Order, was honored in 2011.