Annie Lennox is a Scottish singer-songwriter, political activist and philanthropist. After achieving moderate success in the late 1970s as part of the New Wave band The Tourists, she and fellow musician David A. Stewart went on to achieve major international success in the 1980s as Eurythmics, with the 1983 hit single "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" their commercial breakthrough. Lennox is the most recognized female artist at the Brit Awards, winning a total of eight awards.

Lennox embarked on a solo career in 1992 with her debut album, Diva, which produced several hit singles including "Why" and "Walking on Broken Glass." To date, she has released five solo studio albums and a compilation album, The Annie Lennox Collection. Aside from her eight Brit Awards, she has also collected four Grammy Awards and an MTV Video Music Award. In 2002, Lennox received a Billboard Century Award; the highest accolade from Billboard Magazine.

In addition to her career as a musician, Lennox is also a political and social activist, notable for raising money and awareness for HIV/ AIDS as it affects women and children in Africa. In 2011, Lennox was appointed an Officer of the Officer of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II for her "tireless charity campaigns and championing of humanitarian causes."

In December 2007, Lennox established The SING Campaign, an organization dedicated to raising funds and awareness for women and children affected by HIV and AIDS. Lennox also supports the Burma Campaign UK, a non-governmental organization that addresses the suffering in Burma and promotes democratization.

Lennox has garnered a significant following within the LGBT community. According to The Advocate, "her distinctive voice and provocative stage persona have made Lennox a longtime gay icon." With Eurythmics' music videos earning regular rotation on MTV in the 1980s, Lennox took part in the shaping of popular culture alongside other gay icons such as Boy George, Madonna, Morrissey and Michael Stipe.

Activists, Music, AIDS / HIV, Women, Women's Rights, Africa, Musician, Business, Business Leadership, Technology, Environment, Globalization, TED, Innovation, Corporate Responsibility, Thought Leaders, influential, Google zeitgeist, Most searched for speakers, College, Social Issues, Commencement, Domestic Violence, Internet & Technology Industries, Singer-Songwriter, Culture Leadership,