Michelle Obama to be inducted into US National Women's Hall of Fame

Former US first lady Michelle Obama will be inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame along with eight other women, including former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi and football icon Mia Hamm.

The National Women's Hall of Fame named the members of its Class of 2021 set to be inducted on October 2 on Monday.

Others in the list include NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson, who died last year, author Octavia Butler, who died in 2006, Rebecca Halstead, who had a near three-decade career in the military, poet Joy Harjo, artist Judy Chicago and activist Emily Howland, who died in 1929.

"Michelle Obama has emerged as one of the most influential and iconic women of the 21st century," the National Women's Hall of Fame website said.

"The National Women's Hall of Fame will celebrate the inclusion of these extraordinary women into the Hall at the biennial in-person induction ceremony on October 2, 2021."

The organisation said it was closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation in New York state and will plan carefully to ensure that the in-person portion of Induction Weekend is safe for all attendees.

Ticket sales will not be opened until April or May, it said. It will host a live virtual streaming of the ceremony, which will be free to the public.

The National Women’s Hall of Fame, in Seneca Falls, New York, says it is the United States' oldest membership organisation dedicated to honouring and celebrating the achievements of distinguished American women.