As Black women, we hold knowledge beyond our years, empathy unlike no other, a warmth and comfort that is felt by many, and eternal beauty. The Beauty of Black womanhood explores all of what a Black woman embodies and holds within the depths of her presence. Black women have been the forefront of so many stories of strength, success, love, and Black joy. It’s time for the stories of Black women to be told within every narrative. Behind almost every successful Black person lies a wonderful and beautiful Black woman. Exploring Black womanhood means understanding what we have, and still continue to endure, throughout womanhood, whilst still remaining gracious. 

Black women have not always had a seat at the table, in fact society has been the furthest from kind towards us. Perhaps this is among one of those biggest struggles we’ve had to overcome and continue to do so on a daily basis. Fighting against racial oppression, gender biases, and ongoing stereotypes of how a Black woman is viewed, are ideals that we continuously must break through. Though presented with unequal opportunities, Black women undoubtedly tear down every wall built to break us. Here are just a few influential Black women who paved truly the way for us today. 

Ida B Wells was an eminent and influential leader paving the way for Black female journalists. She was an investigative journalist, educator, and activist in the civil rights movement. She was also one of the founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), which today changes so many lives for people of color. 

Sonia Sanchez is an American poet, activist, and professor who had an imminent role in the Black Arts Movement and Civil Rights Movement. She paved the way for Black women in literature and has written over a dozen books of poetry, plays, critical essays, and more. Sanchez pioneered a Black studies course in 1968 which grew to become the first course ever created to spotlight Black studies and literature in a college classroom at the university which is now San Francisco State University. Her works of writing and poetry has open doors for Black women in a multitude of ways

Maya Angelou undoubtedly used her voice as a Black writer to inspire other women and people in groundbreaking ways. Her words and activism sparked a sense of hope and drive within the community through her poems, essays, memoirs  and much more. Maya Angelous truly embodies the beauty of Black womanhood.   

Marsha P. Johnson was a very prominent figure in the LGBTQ+ community, known as the first self-identified  drag queens in the US. Marsha P. Johsnon also was a huge part of activism and liberation for gay rights, in the Stonewall riots of 1969. Marsha P. Jonhson was powerful, beautiful, strong, and fierce, all things of Black beauty. 

Michelle Obama was the first African American woman to serve as the first lady of the United States of America, and she continues to inspire, educate, and empower her community today. She particularly advocates for health and wellness within women and children as well as being a published, best selling author. 

Among so many amazing women of color, these are just a few Black women who made history. Black women should be admired for their hard work, determination, love, beauty, and essence. All of the Black women I’ve grown to admire in my life embody all things beauty. Their care, grace, freedom, and compassion has taught me lessons that will stick with me for a lifetime. Black womanhood expresses what it means to be everything, and still continue to strive for more. If there’s one thing I would want everyone to understand, it would be how strong a Black woman truly is. In a world where all the odds are set against us, Black women still continue to push the boundaries as they fearlessly exist graciously and authentically.