Celebrate Black History Month: Influential Black Women Who Made History

This Black History Month, we're celebrating the power and talents of Black women everywhere. From world-class athletes to record-breaking musicians, Black women have dominated in their fields throughout history and given future generations the motivation to succeed in their passions, too.

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Jackie Joyner-Kersee: The "Fastest Woman In The World"

With a reputation being “the fastest woman in the world,” Jackie Joyner-Kersee smashed world records at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, winning gold in the 100 and 200 yard runs. Joyner-Kersee was the first participant to score more than 7,000 points in the heptathlon, and Sports Illustrated voted her the greatest female athlete of the 20th century. Today, Joyner-Kersee is an active philanthropist and founder of the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation.

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Diana Ross: "Supremes" Superstar

Diana Ross was the lead singer of The Supremes, one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time and the best-charting female group in history. In 1970, Ross started her solo career with hit songs like "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and "I'm Coming Out". In 1976, Ross was named the "Female Entertainer of the Century" by Billboard. Her musical talents earned her number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 as a solo artist, half of a duet, member of a trio, and ensemble member, being the only woman artist to do so.

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Wangari Maathai: Environmental Advocate

Wangari Maathai was the first Black African woman to receive a Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts in environmental conservation. Her work led her to found the Green Belt Movement, an environmental non-governmental organization focused on the planting of trees, environmental conservation, and women's rights. As an author, she also wrote four books: The Green Belt Movement; Unbowed: A Memoir; The Challenge for Africa; and Replenishing the Earth.

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Misty Copeland: Prima Ballerina

Misty Copeland is the first Black woman to be promoted to principal dancer in the American Ballet Theater's 75-year history. Starting ballet at age 13, Copeland was a prodigy who quickly rose to star status. In Copeland's documentary "A Ballerina's Tale", it's stated that until Copeland, "there [had] never been a Black female principal dancer at a major international company".

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Maya Angelou: Poet Prodigy

Maya Angelou was an American memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist with dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees. Her autobiography "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" is one out of seven stories detailing her life, and brought her international recognition and acclaim. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011 for her work as an author and advocate for the Black community.

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Amy Sherald: Painting Maestro

Amy Sherald is an influential American painter, best known for her work on the Official Portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama. Her style of painting involves grisaille (gray monotones) to portray skin tones, a choice intended to challenge conventions about skin color and race. In 2016, Sherald became the first woman to win the National Portrait Gallery's Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition.

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Gabby Douglas: Gymnast Extraordinaire

Gabby Douglas is the first Black woman in history to win the individual all-around Gymnastics event in the Olympics. She was also named the 2012 Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press, becoming only the fourth gymnast to receive this honor.

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Vernice Armour: "FlyGirl"

Vernice "FlyGirl" Armour is the first Black female naval aviator in the Marine Corps and the first U.S. black female combat pilot. In 2007, Armour began her career as a professional speaker, specializing in creating breakthroughs in life. She has received eleven honors for her service and published a book: "Zero to Breakthrough: The 7-Step, Battle-Tested Method for Accomplishing Goals that Matter".

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These women have all broken barriers, reached new heights, and inspired millions through their actions. To continue fueling these stories of success, resilience, and achievement, it is important to support and advocate for Black women everywhere. The following organizations assist in the empowerment of the next generation of Black female trailblazers — Celebrate in your victories, and grow the grit within you!