As a dark-skinned black woman, I have learned that not all people in America will like you, and some will judge you based off the pigmentation of your skin instead of the positive impacts you make on the world. In society, dark-skinned black women are put down in the media day in and day out calling us crazy, monkeys, masculine, etc. When I was younger, I used to hate the color of my skin and the way my hair use to curl up when it got wet. I wanted to have lighter skin and straighter hair like some of the women I had seen on TV. Over the years though, I have learn to love my melanin and embrace the fact that I am a strong educated black women with a heart of gold. With the help of these five black women, I have learned that not only are black women powerful but we are also magic. The five most influential black women to me are:
1. Maya Angelou
Maya's words not only spoke to me on a spiritual level, her accomplishments spoke volumes. She has written at least seven autobiographies, three books of essays, numerous poems and has over 50 honorary degrees. One of my favorite quotes from her was, "All my work, my life, everything I do is about survival, not just bare, awful, plodding survival, but survival with grace and faith. While one may encounter many defeats, one must not be defeated."
2. Oprah Winfrey
Oprah inspires me because I see parts of her that I see in myself. Oprah was once a communications major (like myself). She was always known for the way she spoke and how open she was to tell her life experiences. Oprah inspires me because she took over the media and made it her own. Oprah never took no for an answer and never let anyone dictate the way she look or her beliefs. One of my favorite Oprah sayings is, "Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness."
3. Shonda Rhimes
Shonda is influential to me because she is highly educated with a B.A. in English and Film Studies from Dartmouth College and a Masters of Fine Arts degree from USC School of Cinematic Arts. Shonda has taken over the television with shondaland which includes the hit show "Grey's Anatomy," "Private Practice," "Off The Map," "Scandal," "How To Get Away With Murder" and "The Catch." Shonda Rhimes takes care of business, she is a television producer, television writer and screen writer. She doesn't take crap from no one and she is firm in her beliefs.
4. Beyoncé Knowles
Now, I have always loved me some Beyonce. With over 20 Grammys, the NAACP image award and her teaching me that everyone is replaceable, the thing that speaks volumes is her work ethic. Beyonce out works her opponents and continues to push the social norms and the music industry. Beyonce shows that with hard work and dedication you can achieve something greater than your wildest dreams. Beyonce has become an advocate for black women everywhere by embracing her roots and I could not be happier. My favorite thing Beyonce has ever said is, "I see it, I want it, I stunt, yellow-bone it, I dream it, I work hard, I grind 'til I own it."
5. Michelle Obama
The queen of all queens. She is a beautiful educated black woman that graduated Cum Laude with a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in African American Studies from Princeton University and has a Jurist Doctor Degree from Harvard Law school. She pushes to help girls around the world get an educated and she helps children around the world stay active and eat healthy. Mrs. Obama practices what she preaches and carries herself with so much class and poise even through adversity. She is a queen that can hold her own in any situation and I love that about her. My favorite thing she has said is, "Whether you come from a council estate or a country estate, your success will be determined by your own confidence and fortitude."
