On International Women’s Day 2023, We’re Honoring Amazing Black Women

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Nikole Hannah-Jones is the creator of The 1619 Project, an initiative from The New York Times Magazine, designed to explore the legacy of slavery in the United States. She is also the founding director of the Center for Journalism & Democracy at Howard University.

Kamala Harris

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

After a series of Republican appointments, Ketanji Brown Jackson made history as the first Black woman Supreme Court Justice.

Quinta Brunson

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

Astronaut Jessica Watkins made history as the first Black woman to complete an International Space Station long-term mission.

Amanda Gorman

Award-winning writer Amanda Gorman is the youngest inaugural poet in history.

Shonda Rhimes

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

A member of President Biden’s COVID task force, Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett led a team of scientists that helped create Moderna’s vaccine.