This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Winthrop chapter.
As Black History Month comes to a close it is important to look at all the amazing women in history who have defied the odds and broken records!
The following women consistently raised the bar for future generations to come. Here’s a list of 28 Amazing Women who are prime examples of #BlackGirlMagic!
1. Shonda Rhimes
(Pictured in Red)
January 13th, 1970 – Present
She is a writer/director/producer responsible for the wonderfully dramatic shows– Scandal, Grey’s Anatomy, and How to Get Away with Murder.
2. Michelle Obama
January 17th, 1964 – Present
As a former first lady of the 44th president of the United States, Michelle is the first African American first lady in U.S. History.
3. Eartha Kitt
January 17th, 1927 – December 25th, 2008
The actress and singer was the original singer of the popular song, “Santa Baby,” recorded in 1953. She also played Catwoman in the 1960’s Batman series. She also was the voice of Yzma from the Disney movie, The Emperor’s New Groove.
4. Sheila Johnson
January 25th, 1949 – Present
As a co-Founder of BET, she became the first African-American woman to attain a net worth of at least one billion dollars. Sheila is also the co-owner of the Washington Capitals (NHL), Washington Wizards (NBA), and the Washington Mystics (WNBA). Johnson is the second wealthiest black female in the united states, after Oprah.
5. Maame Biney
January 28, 2000 – Present
At only 17 years old, she has already broken records as the first African American to make the U.S Olympic speed skating team.
6. Oprah Winfrey
January 29th,1954 – Present
Known for her television show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, the philanthropist, actress, and talk show host became the first black female billionaire in the United States in 2003.
7. Leontyne Price
February 10th,1927 – Present
Price is one of the first African American opera singers to be internationally known.
8. Simone Biles
March 14th, 1997 – Present
The 19-year-old is currently the most decorated American gymnast, with an astounding 19 Olympic and World championship medals.
9. Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Listen to her shred here: March 20th, 1915 – October 9th, 1973
This musician was recently inducted into the 2018 Rock and Roll Hall of fame. She is considered the godmother of rock and roll. Famous musicians such as Elvis and Johnny Cash consider her a major source of inspiration for their own legacies. Tharpe was responsible for giving Little Richard his first experience on stage.
10. Aretha Franklin
March 25th, 1942 – Present
Multiple Grammy winner (18 to be exact) and known as the “Queen of Soul”. She is the first woman to be inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame and the second woman to be inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame.
11. Maya Angelou
April 4th, 1928 – May 28th, 2014
The award-winning writer and poet already has a place in history for her works, such as the first African American woman to have her screenplay produced for a film, and the first non- fiction best-seller by an African American woman for her book I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, but did you know she was also the first black female streetcar conductor in San Francisco, CA?
12. Marie M. Daly
April 16th, 1921 – October 28th, 2003
Daly is the first African American to receive a Ph.D. in chemistry in the United States.
13. Hattie McDaniel
June 10th, 1893 – October 10th, 1952
In the 1920’s she became one of the first African American women to perform on radio. By 1940 Hattie earned an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress—becoming the first African American to win an Oscar.
14. Phylicia Rashad
June 19th, 1948 – Present
Best known as Clair Huxtable from The Cosby show, Rashad is the first African American woman to win a Tony award for best actress in a play, for her role in A Raisin in the Sun, as the character Lena.
15. Della Reese
July 6th, 1931 – November 19th, 2017
The Touched by an Angel star became the first black woman to host her own variety show, called Della.
16. Viola Davis
August 11, 1965 – Present
In 2015 Davis won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her Role in How to Get Away with Murder, making her the first African American woman to win an Emmy in this category. She is the only African American performer to win an Oscar, an Emmy, and a Tony award.
17. Halle Berry
August 14th, 1966 – Present
Halle Berry became the first African American to win an Academy Award for Best Actress in 2001 for her Role in Monster’s Ball. She was also the most recent African American bond girl in the movie Die Another Day.
18. Althea Gibson
August 25, 1927 – September 28th, 2003
This athlete broke racial barriers in not one but two different sports. She was the first African American tennis player to compete at the U.S National Championships in 1950 and Wimbledon in 1951. She won the singles and doubles in 1957, and the U.S Open in 1958. She had dabbled in golf for a few years, becoming the first African American to compete in the pro tour.
19. Misty Copeland
September 10th, 1982 – Present
This Ballet dancer is the first African American to be appointed as a principal dancer for American Ballet Theatre.
20. Mae C. Jemison
October 17th, 1956 – Present
Jemison had broken several records at once, The first record, set in 1987, was the first African American female to be admitted into the NASA astronaut training program. After passing the program, her next record was placed as the first African American female astronaut. Her final record was set in 1992, as the first African American female astronaut in space.
21. Marjorie Joyner
October 24th, 1896 – December 27th, 1994
The first African American to graduate from A.B. Molar beauty school. She was also the first black woman to receive a patient for her permanent waving machine.
22. Alexa Canady
November 7th, 1950 – Present
Canady became the first female African American neurosurgeon in the united states.
23. Whoopi Goldberg
November 13th, 1955 – Present
The Ghost star has several records under her belt, such as the first woman to host the academy awards, and one of 14 people to win an Emmy, Grammy, Tony, and Oscar award.
24. Shirley Chisholm
November 30th, 1924 – January 1st, 2005
She became the first African-American congresswoman in 1968. She served seven terms in the House of Representatives as a representative of New York. She also became the first major-party black candidate to make a bid for the U.S. presidency, running for the Democratic Nomination in 1972.
25. Tyra Banks
December 4th, 1973 – Present
The model has been recognized as the first African American to be featured in three different magazines. The first was on the cover GQ Magazine in 1996. The other two magazines were Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit edition and Victoria Secret’s lingerie catalog, both in 1997.
26. Angel Rice
December 4th, 1998 – Present
This young lady broke the Guinness world record of most double full twists in a minute. The record to beat is now 10.
27. Surya Bonaly
December 15, 1973 – Present
This French American is a professional ice skater who has competed in the 1998 Olympics alongside skaters such as Michelle Kwan. She has won the world silver metal 3 times, European champion five times, and French national champion nine times. Surya is known as a rebel for her infamous backflip at the 1998 Olympics, landing on one leg.
28. Madam C.J Walker
December 23rd, 1867 – May 25th, 1919
Started her own line of African American hair products. Walker was the first American woman to become a self-made millionaire.
