40 Famous Black Women Who Are Leaving Their Mark on History

"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.

And don't worry: We'll be updating this list regularly. Got suggestions? Let us know on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.

Claim to fame: Writer, producer, transgender rights activist

Why she's extraordinary: Mock, who received the Stephen F. Kolzak Award at the 2020 GLAAD Media Awards, is one of the leading voices for transgender rights in the 21st century. With her work on Pose, she became the first transgender woman of color to write and direct a TV episode. She's also a New York Times bestselling author and signed a three year, multi-million dollar deal with Netflix in 2019.

Claim to fame: Actress, producer

Why she's extraordinary: In 2015, Davis made history by becoming the first Black woman to win an Emmy for outstanding lead actress in a drama series for her work in ABC's How to Get Away With Murder. She's also an Academy Award winner and has been in a countless amount of our favorite films.

Claim to fame: Activist

Why she's extraordinary: In the wake of Harvey Weinstein being revealed as a serial sexual abuser in 2017, Burke's activist group "Me Too" became #MeToo. The hashtag has become a movement of its own, acting as a way for those in the social media age to stand in solidarity with their shared experiences of sexual assault. She was TIME magazine's person of the year in 2017.

Claim to fame: Actress, singer, talk show host

Why she's extraordinary: While Smith has been in the spotlight for decades, her star power gained renewed momentum in 2018 with the premiere of her hit Facebook Watch talk show, Red Table Talk, which she hosts alongside her mother Adrienne Banfield-Norris and daughter Willow. The show has become a go-to apology stop for A-listers following scandal, from Jordyn Woods to Olivia Jade, and even Smith herself.

Claim to fame: Athlete, track and field star

Why she's extraordinary: In 2019, track star and four-time-Olympian Allyson Felix broke Usain Bolt's record for the most-ever gold medals won at the world championships. (She has 13.)

Claim to fame: Broadcast journalist, talk show host

Why she's extraordinary: Despite her sudden departure from the Today Show in 2017, Hall bounced back and now hosts her own self-titled syndicated talk show.

Claim to fame: Duchess of Sussex, former actress

Why she's extraordinary: Though Markle—along with her husband, Prince Harry—made the unprecedented move to step back as a senior member of the royal family in 2019, since she joined the world of the monarchy in 2016, the former actress has established herself as an advocate for a variety of causes including gender equality and climate change. She and her husband have also founded Archwell, an organization that acts as a production and audio company, and a charitable foundation.

Claim to fame: Actress, activist

Why she's extraordinary: Though we've seen Union on the big and small screen since the '90s, in recent years the star has become open about everything from her fertility struggles to racial and gender equality in Hollywood, and raising her children with love no matter what. Her outspoken voice has set her apart in the acting world as an advocate and ally for a number of underrepresented communities.

Claim to fame: Journalist, news anchor

Why she's extraordinary: Longtime Oprah fans know that Gayle has been at the top of her game for years now (she has three Emmys to prove it). And following her headline-making interview with the disgraced R. Kelly, Gayle was named one of Time's 100 Most Influential people in 2019.

Claim to fame: Costume designer

Why she's extraordinary: Though you can trace Carter's costume design career back to 1988's School Daze, in 2019 she became the first African American woman to win the Oscar for Costume Design for her work in Marvel's Black Panther.

Claim to fame: American politician

Why she's extraordinary: Following the November 2020 election, Sen. Kamala Harris of California made history, becoming the first woman and first Black and Asian American to hold the title of Vice President-elect. She's also the first woman and person of color to to be district attorney of San Francisco and attorney general of California.

Claim to fame: Actress

Why she's extraordinary: The Oscar-nominee (for 2008's The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) is a celebrated actress and Hollywood mainstay. And what would we do without her beloved Empire character Cookie Lyon?

Claim to fame: Actress, director

Why she's extraordinary: King has been absolutely killing it in a career that spans decades. In 2019, she won a Golden Globe and a supporting actress Oscar for her role in If Beale Street Could Talk. And her critically acclaimed HBO dystopian drama, Watchmen, riveted audiences and earned her a fourth Emmy.

Claim to fame: Actress, writer, producer

Why she's extraordinary: After first garnering attention with her YouTube series Awkward Black Girl, Rae has earned acclaim for her HBO comedy series Insecure, making her one of the leading creative voices in Hollywood.

Claim to fame: Comedian, actress

Why she's extraordinary: Following her breakout role in 2017's Girl's Trip, Haddish has become one of our favorite comedians, and has had a film on the big screen ever since. (Night School, The Kitchen, The Oath, and Like a Boss to name a few). She also has a New York Times bestselling autobiography and signed a stand-up special deal with Netflix in 2018.

Claim to fame: Author, lawyer, and the first Black FLOTUS of the United States

Why she's extraordinary: Mrs. Obama captivated many with her show of warmth, strength, and positivity as the country's First Lady from 2009 to 2017. In her role, she fought against childhood obesity and championed education for young girls. And in the face of dark political times, during her speech at the 2016 Democratic National Convention, she delivered a line that still resonates with many today: "When they go low, we go high." She's also the bestselling author of Becoming and a podcaster.

Claim to fame: Actress, social advocate

Why she's extraordinary: The daughter of singer Diana Ross, Tracee is a shining light in Hollywood. From her role as the ambitious Joan in the early 2000's show Girlfriends, to her current groundbreaking gig as Dr. Rainbow Johnson on the hit sitcom Black-ish, the actress is guaranteed to put a smile on your face with her fashion, goofy Instagram antics, and passion for movements like #TimesUp and #BlackLivesMatter. And in 2019 she launched her very own haircare line, Pattern Beauty.

Claim to fame: Director, producer, screenwriter

Why she's extraordinary: With films like 13th, Selma, and A Wrinkle In Time (starring our very own O of O), DuVernay has made a point to put representation at the forefront of her critically acclaimed work. She's also racked up countless firsts: The first Black woman to win the best feature directing award at Sundance in 2012; the first Black woman to get a Best Director Golden Globe nomination; the first woman of color to direct an Oscar-nominated best picture film; and the first woman to direct a film that grossed more than $100 million domestically.

Claim to fame: Screenwriter, producer, actress

Why she's extraordinary: In 2017, Waithe made history as the first Black woman to win an Emmy in the category of writing in a comedy series for the Netflix show, Master of None. She's also an outspoken advocate for the LGBTQ community and strives for representation in film and TV for queer people of color.

Claim to fame: Actress, singer

Why she's extraordinary: Though the 72-year-old star stole our hearts decades earlier as everyone's favorite TV mom, Clair Huxtable, Rashad won a Tony Award for her turn in the 2003 revival of the groundbreaking play A Raisin in the Sun. She was the first Black woman to win the honor in a dramatic lead role.

Claim to fame: Businesswoman, entrepreneur

Why she's extraordinary: As the co-founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET), Johnson earned her spot as the first Black female billionaire on a Forbes list in 2000. She's also the first and only African American woman to have stake in three pro sports teams: the Wizards, Capitals, and Mystics.

Claim to fame: Actress, LGBTQ advocate

Why she's extraordinary: Cox became the first transgender person to be nominated for an Emmy in 2014 for her portrayal of Sophia Burset in Netflix's Orange Is the New Black. In 2018, the star also earned the title of the first openly transgender woman to appear on Cosmopolitan's cover for their South Africa edition.

Claim to fame: Politician, diplomat

Why she's extraordinary: Currently the director of Stanford University's Hoover Institution, from 2005 to 2009, Rice held the post of Secretary of State under George W. Bush's presidency. She was the second woman and first Black woman to do so.

Claim to fame: Actress

Why she's extraordinary: In 2002 Berry became the first—and still only—Black woman to be named Best Actress at the Oscars for her leading role in Monster's Ball. "This moment is so much bigger than me," she said at the time. "It's for every nameless, faceless woman of color that now has a chance because this door tonight has been opened. Thank you. I'm so honored."

Claim to fame: Producer, screenwriter, author

Why she's extraordinary: At the helm of beloved shows like Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, and How to Get Away With Murder, Rhimes's production company, Shondaland owns ABC's Thursday night slots. With Grey's, she's the first Black woman to create and produce a top 10 network series. Most recently, Rhimes signed a multi-year $150 million deal with Netflix. She's now developing eight new series for the streaming giant, with the first being the breakout romantic period drama Bridgerton.

Claim to fame: Chef, author, TV personality

Why she's extraordinary: A co-host of the now-cancelled Emmy winning talk show The Chew, Hall's warm, bubbly personality, expertise of Southern comfort food, and her "philosophy to always cook with love" made her incredibly popular with fans all across the country. Hall has written three cookbooks: Carla Hall's Soul Food, Carla's Comfort Food, and Cooking With Love.

Claim to fame: Olympic gymnast

Why she's extraordinary: At the 2012 London Summer Olympics, now 25-year-old Douglas became the first woman of color to win the title of Individual All-Around Champion in artistic gymnastics. She's also the first Black woman to earn gold in both the individual all around and team competitions at the Olympic games.

Claim to fame: Olympic gymnast

Why she's extraordinary: Part of the gold-winning U.S. women's artistic gymnastics team at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, Biles is a highly decorated gymnast in her own right. She's the first female gymnast to win three World all-around titles in a row; the most decorated American gymnast with 30 total World and Olympic medals; and she's won the most World Championship medals by a woman gymnast in history (25), including 19 gold.

Claim to fame: Ballerina and athlete

Why she's extraordinary: A fierce advocate for dance as a form of expression for people of color everywhere, Copeland became the first African American woman to become the American Ballet Theatre's principal dancer after 75 years. Known to many as a prodigy in the dance world, Copeland was dancing en-pointe three months after her first dance class as a teen and was then performing professionally within a year.

Claim to fame: Singer, songwriter, entertainer, actress, entrepreneur

Why she's extraordinary: Known to her loyal fanbase as Queen B, Knowles-Carter is arguably one of the best entertainers of our time. (We all know who runs the world, thanks to her.) She's earned the most Grammy nominations for a female artist with 79 total, and she's the second most decorated female Grammy winner with 24 wins. She's performed at the Super Bowl twice, and in a move that many couldn't pull off, successfully dropped a surprise self-titled album in 2013.

Claim to fame: Politician, lawyer, novelist

Why she's extraordinary: Abrams earned herself an endorsement from Oprah during her campaign to become Georgia's new governor in 2018. (She would have been the first Black woman to step into the role.) Though she lost the race, she's still a political standout, delivering the Democratic response to President Trump's State of the Union Address in 2019 and leading the charge against voter suppression in Georgia's elections. And she's a romance novelist.

Claim to fame: Professional tennis players

Why they're extraordinary: The sisters are incredibly decorated athletes, with 122 combined career singles titles and a total of nine Olympic medals between the two of them. Serena, 39, is the first tennis player to win 23 Grand Slam titles and has won more than $88 million in prize money—the highest of any female athlete.

Claim to fame: Actress, model

Why she's extraordinary: With the 2018 premiere of FX's Pose, Moore became a standout star of a show that features the most transgender talent in history. Since, the Afro-Latinx actress has used her platform to advocate for the LGBTQ community and other marginalized groups. In 2019, she was featured on the TIME 100 list.

Claim to fame: Artist, poet, activist

Why she's extraordinary: Wade is widely recognized for her affirming and inspiring poetry, which gained much acclaim through her Instagram account. In 2018, TIME dubbed her "the poet of her generation," and her first book, Heart Talk: Poetic Wisdom for a Better Life, was a bestseller.

Claim to fame: Diplomat, policy advisor, politician

Why she's extraordinary: During the Barack Obama administration, Rice was the first Black woman to serve as the U.S. representative to the United Nations. The Stanford graduate was also Obama's national security advisor and was nominated by President-elect Joe Biden to serve as domestic policy advisor and director of the Domestic Policy Council during his upcoming administration.

Claim to fame: Lawyer

Why she's extraordinary: Lynch, a Harvard graduate, was the first Black woman to be named attorney general of the United States during the Obama administration from 2015 to 2017.

Claim to fame: Professional tennis player

Why she's extraordinary: In 2019, Gauff made headlines at age 15 by beating Venus Williams at Wimbledon, becoming the youngest woman to win a match at the prominent tennis championships since 1991. She's currently the youngest player ranked in the Women's Tennis Association's top 100.

Claim to fame: Olympic fencer, activist

Why she's extraordinary: During the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics, Muhammad became the first American woman to wear a hijab while competing at the games and win a bronze medal. She's also a five-time Senior World medalist and World Champion. And in 2017, Mattel produced their first hijab-wearing Barbie, created in Muhammad's likeness.

Claim to fame: Painter

Why she's extraordinary: Best known for her signature portraits of Black Americans, Sherald made history in 2018 by becoming the first Black woman to create a presidential portrait for the National Portrait Gallery when she was commissioned to paint former First Lady Michelle Obama.