March 8 is International Women’s Day, a day to honor women’s amazing achievements and move closer to a world where discrimination and bias don’t stand in the way of their shine.
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Here at The Root, we thought it was the perfect time to celebrate the Black women out here leading the charge and making change in politics, sports, entertainment and more. These Black women have embodied everything International Women’s Day is all about.
Kerry Washington
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 05: Kerry Washington attends the 5th American Black Film Festival Honors: A Celebration of Excellence in Hollywood at 1 Hotel West Hollywood on March 05, 2023 in West Hollywood, California. Photo: Getty Images Rodin Eckenroth
Best known for her role as Olivia Pope in the hit drama, Scandal, Kerry Washington was the first African-American woman since 1974 to headline a network TV drama series. The award-winning actress and producer is also known for her political advocacy. A strong supporter of Barack Obama, she encouraged Democrats to get out and vote in a speech at the 2012 Democratic National Convention.
Susan Rice
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 24: White House Domestic Policy Adviser Susan Rice speaks on President Biden’s announcement of student loan debt forgiveness during a White House daily press briefing at the James S. Brady Press Room of the White House August 24, 2022 in Washington, DC. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre held a daily press briefing to answer questions from members of the media. Photo: Getty Images Alex Wong
Susan Rice is a Domestic Policy Advisor in the Biden Administration. A Rhodes Scholar with decades of policy experience, Rice plays an important role in the development of the President’s domestic policy agenda working on key issues including health care and racial equity.
Oprah Winfrey
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 26: Oprah Winfrey attends the Los Angeles Red Carpet Premiere Event for Hulu’s “The 1619 Project” at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on January 26, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Television personality, actress and entrepreneur Oprah Winfrey is the definition of a boss. She propelled herself from hosting a local television talk show to becoming one of the most powerful women in entertainment and the person everyone wants to talk to.
Serena Williams
Photo: Getty Images Aaron J. Thornton
While the world waits to see if Serena Williams is ready to hang up her racket for good, she’s already left a tremendous impact on the sport. With 23 Grand Slam singles titles, Williams has more under her belt than any other player in the game.
Stacey Abrams
Stacey Abrams, Democratic gubernatorial candidate for Georgia, speaks during an election night rally in Atlanta, Georgia, US, on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. Photo: Getty Images Dustin Chambers
Politician, activist and author, Stacey Abrams has been a tireless activist for voting rights, not just in her home state of Georgia, but across the country.
Rihanna
GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 12: Rihanna performs at halftime during Super Bowl LVII between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, February 12th, 2023 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ. Photo: Getty Images Adam Bow
Worth nearly $1.5 billion dollars, Rihanna is America’s youngest self-made billionaire woman. Along with a successful music career, she’s also a boss in the business world, with a beauty and fashion empire that includes Fenty Beauty, Fenty Skin and Savage X Fenty.
Nikole Hannah-Jones
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 01: Nikole Hannah-Jones speaks during The 1619 Project: Exclusive Screening & Pop-Up Exhibit launch party at The GRAMMY Museum on February 01, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images Timothy Norris
US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the Arvada Center for Performing Arts in Denver, Colorado, US, on Monday, March 6, 2023. Harris discussed the Biden administration’s investments to combat climate change and efforts to build a new clean energy economy. Photo: Getty Images Michael Ciaglo
The first Black female Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris is focused on some of the most important issues our country is facing, including voting rights and women’s reproductive rights.
Ketanji Brown-Jackson
CUTLER BAY, FLORIDA - MARCH 06: Supreme Court Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson speaks during street renaming ceremony for her in Miami-Dade County on March 06, 2023 in Cutler Bay, Florida. Justice Jackson is the first black woman to sit on the Supreme Court and the first Supreme Court Justice from Miami-Dade County. Photo: Getty Images Joe Raedle
After a series of Republican appointments, Ketanji Brown Jackson made history as the first Black woman Supreme Court Justice.
Quinta Brunson
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 05: Quinta Brunson attends the 2023 Writers Guild Awards West Coast Ceremony at Fairmont Century Plaza on March 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images Amy Sussman
At just 33-years-old, actress, producer, writer and comedian Quinta Brunson has made her mark on Hollywood. In just two seasons, her hit show, Abbott Elementary has already racked up plenty of awards, including three Emmy Awards and three Golden Globes.
Jessica Watkins
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 14: In this handout provided by NASA, NASA astronaut Jessica Watkins is helped out of the SpaceX Crew Dragon Freedom spacecraft onboard the SpaceX recovery ship Megan after she, NASA astronaut Kjell Lindgren, NASA astronaut Robert Hines, and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, landed in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida, Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. Lindgren, Hines, Watkins, and Cristoforetti are returning after 170 days in space as part of Expeditions 67 and 68 aboard the International Space Station. Photo: Getty Images Bill Ingalls
Astronaut Jessica Watkins made history as the first Black woman to complete an International Space Station long-term mission.
Amanda Gorman
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: Amanda Gorman attends the 65th GRAMMY Awards on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images Amy Sussman
Award-winning writer Amanda Gorman is the youngest inaugural poet in history.
Shonda Rhimes
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 12: Shonda Rhimes attends the 74th Primetime Emmys at Microsoft Theater on September 12, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Photo: Getty Images Frazer Harrison
Award-winning writer, showrunner and producer, Shonda Rhimes has created some of the hottest shows on television, including Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal and Bridgerton.
Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 30: Dr. Kizzmekia S. Corbett poses for a photo during 2022 Massachusetts Conference For Women at Boston Convention Center on November 30, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo: Getty Images Marla Aufmuth
A member of President Biden’s COVID task force, Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett led a team of scientists that helped create Moderna’s vaccine.
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