Anne Frank 'most inspiring woman'

In the diary, Anne wrote of her desire to help change the brutal world of Nazi occupation she found herself in. She wrote: “I must hold on to my ideals. Perhaps the day will come when I’ll be able to realise them”

Gillian Walnes MBE, executive director of the Anne Frank Trust, said: “We were whooping with excitement at the Trust when we read this result.

“But not surprised, as we know the force for good that she is to the thousands of young people each year who visit Anne Frank exhibitions or take part in educational projects about her life and diary.”

Marjorie Proops, the Jewish agony aunt and campaigner was also named as one of the most influential women of all time by the Prime Minister’s wife Sarah Brown, who compiled her own list for International Women’s Day.