Influential Women in Austin

Throughout its history, Austin has been home to a variety of influential women making moves in their industries and communities. Women in this city have truly shaped it, impacted change, and inspired others to do good. We’re highlighting 9 iconic movers and shakers, including businesswomen, artists, politicians, and even female pit masters (we’re talking about Texas, after all!). 

No one list can cover all the amazing contributions made both past and present, but we hope to direct you to some incredible new role models and remind you of our state’s historic leaders. 

YVETTE FLORES

Broker/Co-Owner at Realty Austin

Yvette is a native Central Texan, born and raised in San Antonio, but proud to call Austin her home. After a very successful career as a multi-million dollar producer, Yvette obtained her Broker license and partnered with Jonathan Boatwright to create the #1 independent real estate firm in Central Texas.

At the core of her work is a commitment to serving the Austin community. She is an Austin Habitat for Humanity sponsor, volunteer, and board member. She’s also very involved with Foundation Communities, Women of Hope, and SAFE. She leads the team at Realty Austin in creating a culture of giving back. Since 2010, Realty Austin agents have volunteered over 25,660 hours, donated over $1.9M of their commissions, and raised over $175,000.

KENDRA SCOTT

Founder and former CEO of Kendra Scott

Kendra Scott began making jewelry in her bedroom in Austin after she was frustrated with the lack of stone options out there. She took that personal endeavor and grew a jewelry brand that became a household name. According to Forbes, the company was estimated to be worth more than $1 billion as of 2016.

In 2021, Scott stepped down from her position as CEO, but she’ll continue to act as executive chairwoman. She also launched the Kendra Scott Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute at the University of Texas to empower women leaders.

LEANN MUELLER

Photographer and BBQ royalty

LeAnn Mueller grew up in a barbecue family. Her dad, Bobby Mueller, was the owner of Louie Mueller Barbecue in Taylor, Texas. The place is considered by many to be the best barbecue spot in the state, but after being in and out of the family business, LeAnn went into photography. She’s had a very successful career in that field, shooting for Rolling Stone and Texas Monthly.

While she is still very much involved with making photos, she also makes a variety of meats at her own restaurant, la Barbecue. In a male-dominated field, this is the only wife-and-wife-owned barbecue spot in the state. She runs it with her wife and co-owner Ali Clem, who are proudly feminizing the industry. While they used to run la Barbecue inside the Quickie Pickie, they moved to their own standalone space in 2021 to the East Cesar Chavez area.

LADY BIRD JOHNSON

Environmentalist and former First Lady

The late Lady Bird was born Claudia Alta Taylor, and the story goes that as a child her nursemaid remarked that she was as “pretty as a ladybird,” and the nickname stuck. It ended up being a fitting name for her, as she was devoted to conserving the environment. Lady Bird married Lyndon B. Johnson, who went on to become the 36th President of the United States.

Unlike other first ladies of the time, she was heavily involved in her husband’s political campaign. During his time as Vice President, she helped fund the campaign, and even hired an expert staff, including Liz Carpenter, a fellow influential Austin woman. She opened a wildflower research center, which was later renamed the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. In 1977, she received a Presidential Medal of Freedom, and in 1984, she was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal—two of the highest honors a U.S. civilian can receive.

XOCHI SOLIS

Artist, community organizer, and board president of Future Front Texas

An Austin-based multimedia artist, Xochi shares her studio time between Texas and Mexico. Her works are layered collages made up of a variety of mediums, like layers of paint, paper, and plastics. Her art has been featured in exhibitions across the nation.

When she isn’t making art, or DJing with the Austin chapter of Chulita Vinyl Club, she is helping nurture women and LGBTQ+ creatives as the board president of Future Front Texas. Through the organization's programs, markets, and collaborations, they host 20,000+ people per year to create more than $300,000 in support for the community.

PAMELA BENSON OWENS

Entrepreneur and CEO of Six Square

A woman of many talents and a self-proclaimed longtime entrepreneur, Pamela Benson Owens has been uplifting the Austin community for years. She’s the President and CEO of Edge of Your Seat Consulting, a company that provides methodologies that help manage perceptions and narratives about complex and challenging issues.

She’s also the CEO of Six Square, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that celebrates and preserves the great arts, culture, and history of Austin’s Black cultural district. According to Tribeza, Six Square has also provided more than $46,000 to Black artists and business owners impacted by the pandemic.

BRIGHTON ZEUNER

Professional skateboarder

This pro skateboarder is a two-time X Games gold medalist. She won her first when she was just 13 years, making her the youngest champion in the history of the games. In the summer of 2021, she even competed in the Tokyo Olympics. The now 17-year-old sports icon calls Austin home for most of the year, residing in California for the remainder.

Zeuner has helped pave the way for a growing wave of female skaters, and she’s shown that you can be taken seriously even if you’re young. She plans to go to college for fashion design to help create clothing for women skaters, and has done a variety of collaborations with Vans.

JANE KO

Founder of A Taste of Koko

Jane Ko, known to her fans on Instagram as Koko, has created arguably the most popular food blog in Austin. She started in 2010, and has since grown to have more than 100,000 followers on Instagram. She’s been featured in the New York Times, and she’s been voted best local blogger in Austin by the Austin Chronicle in both 2018 and 2019.

She’s also the author of her first book, Koko’s Guide To Austin, which helps readers go on a culinary adventure through the city.

ANGELINA EBERLY

Hero of Austin

The late innkeeper Angelina Eberly earned her nickname, the “hero of Austin,” as well as a bronze statue of her wielding a cannon on Congress Avenue. She is one of the main reasons that Austin is still the capital of Texas, and she defended the city during what is now called “The Archive War.”

Sam Houston tried to send men to Austin to take the government archives from the city, because he did not want Austin to be the capital. When Eberly heard the thieves, she fired the city’s cannon and shot a hole in the General Land Office building. This woke up Austinites, who ran the thieves out of town and cemented Austin as the capital of the Lone Star State.