The African American world has produced outstanding heroes who have made lasting contributions to society. Here we feature some of the most prominant African American women of all time, in various industries and niches of society.

Politics/History:

 

•    Michelle Obama:

 

 

The first African American first lady of the United States, Michelle Obama is an inspirational figure for thousands of women. Her poise, her intelligence, and her determination to bring about positive change make her reign in the hearts of all.

•    Condoleezza Rice:

 

 

She may be a controversial figure, but she has surely set high standards for all women. She is the second woman to serve as US Secretary of state, and the first black woman to do so. She held the highest position in cabinet ever held by am African American woman. Her college years glow with evidence of academic excellence.

•    Harriet Tubman:

Harriet Tubman’s life is a tribute to courage, determination, and lifelong struggle for the good of African American women. Born as a slave in 1820 and subjected to immense abuse, she finally escaped at the age of 30. She helped almost 300 people escape to freedom, and spent her life fighting for women’s rights.

•    Mary Church Terrell:

 

 

Daughter of two ex-slaves, she became one of the first African American women to get a college degree, became an activist for civil rights and received numerous honors.

 

•    Alice Walker:

 

Alice Walker has written numerous books on racial and gender issues, and the most famous is The Color Purple, which won critical acclaim and a Pulitzer Prize. She became a dedicated activist for the Civil Rights Movement and several anti-war protests.

Science and Academics:

•    Dr. Alexa Irene Canady

 

 

She almost dropped out as an undergraduate, but somehow hung on, and went on to become the first African American neurosurgeon in the US, despite facing racial prejudice as an intern.

•    Dr. Allison J. McLarty

 

She graduated from Columbia University and specialized in thoraic surgery. She was included among the Guide to America’s Top Surgeons, published by the Consumers’ Research Council of America.

Show Business:

 

•    Oprah Winfrey:

 

 

Larger than life, immensely inspirational, and amongst the most famous people of today’s world, Oprah Winfrey is a living example of determination and immense hardwork. After a childhood full of toil, rebellion and abuse, she learned to “turn misery into wisdom”. She failed a TV broadcasting job, and yet is the leading talk show host today, and one of the richest women in America. An inspirational success story indeed!

•    Tyra Banks:

She was one of the first African American models to reach supermodel status. In 1997 she won the Michael award for Supermodel of the Year. She hosts and produces America’s Next Top Model and has her own Tyra Banks Show. She has also appeared in a number of Hollywood movies, but her greatest acheivement remains her overcoming the color barrier on the international fashion scene.

•    Hattie McDaniel:

 

 

Hattie McDaniel was the first African American to get an Academy Award. She was highly acclaimed in her supporting role of Mammy in Gone With the Wind. With her generosity, poise and immeasurable charm, she earned great respect in Hollywood, and has two stars in the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and was posthmously included in the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame.

•    Cicely Tyson:

 

 

Many consider Cicley Tyson the quintessential black female. First a photographic model, then an actress and then a jewellery desginer, Tyson’s life’s message to all African American women seems to be to bring out the hest in their African beauty rather than idolizing white American beauties. Her film roles were focused on forming a positive image of people of color. She has wom numerous awards, including several Emmy’s.

Business:

 

•    Ursula Burns, President of Xerox:

 

 

One of the most accomplished African American women in the business world, Burns made great contributions to Xerox’s line of products, and the company grew by 20% under her leadership. She joined the firm as an intern and worked her way up to President.

 

•    Melissa James, Managing Director of Morgan Stanley:

 

 

Melissa James graduated from Yale in 1985 and them from Harvard Business School in 1989. She is responsible for managing loans worth $25 billion, and heads the Relationship Lending Business in Morgan Stanley’s Loan Products Group.

 

•    Gwendolyn Smith Iloani, Chairperson, President and CEO of Smith Whiley and Co:

 

 

Gwendolyn Smith’s firm is the fourth largest African American owned private equity firm, managing about $222 million. She is an expert in the investment industry.

 

•    Tracey Travis, CFO & Senior VP of Finance Polo Ralph Lauren Corp.

 

 

CFO of this firm worth $3.3 billion, Travis’s responsibilities cover both the finance and fashion departments. As the company operates over 275 retail stores in the USA alone, being the CFO is indeed a fantastic accomplishment.

Sports:

 

•    Althea Gibson

 

 

Athlea Gibson grew up in Harlem in the 1930’s. Her family was on welfare and she was a client of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children. She faced trouble at school and often ran away from home. She ended up the first African American woman to win a Grand Slam title in 1956 and is famous for breaking the color barrier on the tennis court.

•    Wilma Rudolph

 

Wilma Rudolph was the 20th of 22 children in a poor family and a victim of polio; her doctors said she would not be able to walk. Through sheer determination and her mother’s help, she not only walked but became a track runner. She went on to win a bronze medal at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, and three in 1960 at Rome.

•    Debi Thomas

 

 

Debra Janine Thomas was the first African American to win a medal at the Winter Olympics, in 1988, and the only African American who ever won a medal in Olympic figure skating. She later went back to school to become a physician, getting first a degree from Stanford and then from Northwestern Medical School.

•    Jackie-Joyner Kersee

Ranked among the all time greatest female athletes in heptathlon and long jump, Jackie-Joyner Kersee has won numerous awards and has been voted top athlete countless times by different organizations.