African American women writers have tackled the hard work of representing a diverse spectrum of lived and imagined experiences, including their own.

​Mary Church Terrell, a Black civil rights activist, was left out of history. In her new book, Alison Parker writes of Terrell’s lifelong militancy.

"We have to make the choice—every single day—to exemplify the truth, the respect, and the grace that we wish for this world," Oprah said in 2019.

It's with this spirit that we take the time to honor trailblazing Black women, many of whom embody Lady O's words every day by serving as role models to us all. We've got quite the inspiring list, with actors, artists, activists, athletes, and even a poet. These women represent all shades of brown. They are not only A-listers but also leaders we look to in all facets of society. In the past 20 years, they've been responsible for trendsetting firsts and impressive cultural shifts that changed our world for the better—yes, even through the struggle that was 2020. As famous African American women (like former first lady Michelle Obama, Serena Williams, Tracee Ellis Ross, Tamron Hall, and Gabrielle Union, to mention a few), they have made a name for themselves while simultaneously creating a platform for so many more to follow in their footsteps.

With high-profile accomplishments like the election of Vice President Kamala Harris, it’s an important time for African American women in political office.
While many saw the historical significance of the moment, others overlooked the foundation laid to get there.

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFNS) --
February is the celebration of African American history and the accomplishments of Black people around the world. There are many female pioneers in African American history with various accomplishments that come to mind. Some of these pioneers are Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Rosa Parks, Madam C.J. Walker and Shirley Chisholm. Many black women also broke barriers while serving in the U.S. Military. These women worked on the front lines or provided support to U.S. soldiers and civilian employees.

Black Women’s Equal Pay Day arrives around this time each year, marking the estimated number of extra months—roughly eight months—that a Black woman working full-time year-round in the United States must work into the current year to have earned what her white male counterpart earned during the prior year. This year, Black women will have to work well into the month of August to catch up to the wages that white men earned in 2018 alone.