Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop Speaks At A News Conference at AUSMIN Meeting At Admiralty House In Sydney
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop speaks during a joint news conference with Australian Defence Minister David Johnston, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel (not pictured) at the conclusion of the AUSMIN meeting at Admiralty House in Sydney August 12, 2014. REUTERS/Jason Reed

Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop has been named Woman of the Year by Harper's Bazaar magazine. The outspoken minister told women to avoid acting like a victim in an interview with the magazine. The 58-year-old reiterated that she is not a feminist despite working in the male-dominated world of politics.

According to reports, Bishop has been making the world feel her strong presence, following the tragedy of the downed Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17. She has rightfully earned the distinction of being named "Woman of the Year." In the interview, Bishop reflected on the role of a female politician in Australia's male-dominated Cabinet. She also urged women to not let criticisms get to them and stop turning themselves into victims. She believes women will have to stop whining and prove everyone wrong.

Mining magnate Gina Rinehart praised Bishop in the magazine article, while Attorney-General George Brandis described her as "the complete political product" and someone who has proven she can work among the best. In a recent poll, Bishop came out as the preferred Liberal party leader, and female voters prefer her more to Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

Reports said Bishop's role with the United Nations Security Council following the MH17 tragedy has propelled her rise to popularity. She continues to downplay suggestions that she might aspire to be prime minister of Australia someday. She said she has always secretly hoped she would become foreign inister when she entered federal politics and couldn't be happier for "living the dream." Bishop added that she is just part of the team and believes Tony Abbott is doing a "great job" as Australia's leader.

Late in October, Bishop had confronted Russian President Vladimir Putin at a summit in Italy and questioned him over the MH17 disaster. The plane was shot down by a surface-to-air missile over Ukraine, The Daily Mail reports. Australia's foreign minister was credited for pushing a resolution in the UN Security Council in July to allow Australia and other nations involved to access the MH17 crash site to recover the victims' bodies. Bishop was previously listed in Australian Women's Weekly as one of the 50 most powerful women in Australia.