February is one of my favorite months, not just because of the Valentine’s Day chocolate (yummmm), but also because it’s Black History Month!
As a young Black woman, I like to honor the greatest Black figures and leaders that came before me. Creative artists like Ella Fitzgerald, Maya Angelou and Dorothy Dandridge are just a few of the many black women that paved the way for so many black women today.
Here are some of the most influential, black, female celebrities, athletes and political figures that are currently making their mark in history.
1. Marsai Martin
At only 14 years old, actress Marsai Martin is making Hollywood history as the youngest executive producer. She currently plays Dianne on the hit TV show on ABC, Blackish, (which is funny af). Marsai is currently on TIME’s list of the “25 Most Influential Teens of 2018.”
Her movie Little is set to come out this April. The young producer will star alongside actresses Issa Rae and Regina Hall. Total #BossMoves.
2. Robyn “Rihanna” Fenty
Ahhhh, where to begin with our favorite badgal? Not only is Rihanna one of the most talented artists in the game right now, but she is also on her way to becoming a mogul.
Riri made headlines in 2017 when she dropped her makeup line Fenty Beauty. She broke down barriers for women of color by providing a wider variety of foundations, spanning over 40 shades, and it’s still growing! She provided a wider variety of foundations for black women, more so than was previously available with other makeup companies. (Importance!)
Rihanna’s entrepreneurial prowess doesn’t end there. In September 2018, she launched her body-inclusive lingerie line, Savage x Fenty, featuring women of all sizes.
If that’s not enough, she is planning to create a luxury collection with Louis Vuitton, making her the first black woman to do so. We stan!
3. Ayanna Pressley
If you’re like me and were live-tweeting the midterm election results this past November, you’ll recall that this is the first time in eight years that the House of Representatives is controlled by the Democratic Party. The midterms have also brought another “first” to the forefront. Massachusetts has officially elected their first black female congresswoman to the House of Representatives, Ayanna Pressley.
Pressley voiced her strong opinion against the current administration and president’s legislation and called their moral compass into question. In her victory speech, she said, “Women of color have had to create seismic shifts in order to break through barriers that have kept them from office.” Even touching on the fact that Congresswomen should be able to wear box-braids, without it being regarded as unprofessional. I second that notion, sis.
Can’t wait to see the amazing things Congresswoman Pressley will do during her term!
4. Serena Williams
I always love talking about Serena Williams when it comes to discussing influential black women. Not just because she is ranked as the number one women’s tennis player in the world, or because she was boo’d up with Drake at one point (allegedly), but because of how she carries herself.
Serena’s story is one that is similar to/reminiscent of many female black athletes. Since the beginning of her career, she has been a victim of racism, sexism, and microaggressions. She’s been scrutinized about her appearance, mocked for being “too masculine,” questioned persistently on her wins, and is even drug tested more than her non-black competitors, simply because she is excelling in a sport that previously never had black female contenders.
Even in the midst of all of her mistreatment, she has always remained poised and humble. Plus, how cute is her daughter Olympia! *heart eyes*
5. Michelle Obama
We all know our beloved Michelle Obama. She was not just first lady of the United States, but she’s also the most educated first lady we’ve had in the history of the United States. She graduated cum laude from Princeton, and received her Juris Doctrate from Harvard. Hello!
Most recently, Michelle has just released her book Becoming (a pager-turner fr), where she talks about her childhood, meeting Barack, and her experiences as a black woman in primarily white spaces. Michelle currently has a portrait in the National Portrait Gallery at the Smithsonian, and is making her own mark in history as more than just a first lady.
Malcom X said, “The most disrespected woman in America is the Black woman. The most un-protected person in America is the black woman. The most neglected person in America is the black woman.”
Even through all the hardships Black women endure, the women I’ve mentioned are just a few of many that have exemplified Black excellence. Rising to the top, when we are expected to be at the bottom. Walking with confidence, when we are told our features aren’t beautiful, and still speaking out, when we are told our voices don’t matter.
This Black History Month, I give thanks and recognize all of my black sisters who are working tirelessly every day to defy the odds, break down barriers and keep that #BlackGirlMagic flowing. <3