Black History Month - The Women Who Inspire Us
After the amplification of the Black Lives Matter movement, following the murder of George Flloyd earlier this year, there is no doubt that a light has been shone on racism and its prevalence around the world. Whilst this light has illuminated some frankly horrific things, it has also served as a reminder to those who haven’t experienced racism personally, to speak up and use their white privilege. The changes in society may have been small, but change is happening - albeit slowly. We are therefore using Black History Month to highlight the amazing black women who continue to inspire us, who fight for their beliefs and values, who serve as role models to all women, of all races.
Michelle Obama
Ultimate HUN, Michelle Obama has to top the list of black women that inspire us, not simply for being one of the most poised ex-First Ladies of all time, but for her timeless (dare I say, effortless) elegance in the face of all kinds of issues, her resilience, her skills as a mother in the spotlight, and for her endless words of wisdom - both in speeches and in print in the form of her book, Becoming (now also on Netflix).
Tarana Burke
Co-founder of the infamous #MeToo movement 2006, Tarana Burke was fundamental in starting conversations around sexual assault. As a consequence, this movement is credited to bringing Harvey Weinstein to justice - even if it did take far too long. Burke’s passion and strength of character is beyond inspiring and to this day she still continues to speak on behalf of and advocate for survivors of sexual violence.
Toni Morrison
World-renowned author Toni Morrison is a must-have for any list about inspirational women. Her novels span a diverse array of different issues including race, identity, sexism, desire and often have some underlying commentary on society. She is often hailed as one of the most prevalent black authors, portraying the black experience in an honest and often harrowingly present way. In short, she is a literary icon.
Michaela Coel
If you’ve not watched the absolutely life-altering show, I May Destroy You on BBC Iplayer, written and starred in by Michaela Coel, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN. With it’s earth shattering honesty, and ability to un-sugarcoat the banalities of life against the backdrop of the sexual assault that her character endures (which Coel herself endured in real life) - it is quite literally a modern masterpiece. For the show alone Michaela deserves a bountiful amount of recognition, but the fact that the whole of I May Destroy You is based on real events that happened to Coel herself, makes it that much more empowering. She actually wrote 191 different versions of the 12 episode series that essentially plays out her personal sexual assault in a fictitious world and environment, and knowing Coel, each of the 191 drafts would all be equally as amazing. For us, she is the gold standard in female strength, female empowerment and female writers.
Rihanna
For bad gal Riri, the list is endless of reasons why she is one of our all-time role models. It could be because she has build her own empire as a businesswoman with Fenty Beauty and as a co-owner of Savage X Fenty, it could be because she has been bossing it as a woman in the music industry for circa 17 years, or maybe it’s because we still can’t forget how powerful THAT speech was at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards.
Munroe Bergdorf
If you haven’t come across the powerhouse activist that is Munroe Bergdorf, I’m not sure where you’ve been hiding. Patron at Mermaids Gender, LGBTQ+ editor at Dazed Beauty, and a change maker for the UN Women - she’s got many different strings to her bow. Why we admire her though? Her enviable inner-strength and dedication to doing the right thing and fighting for causes she believes in. Case and point, when she publicly called at L’Oreal about their racist mistreatment of her. She also has a book called Transitional which is available to buy online here.
Clara Amfo
Radio presenter Clara Amfo is firstly, just really really cool. I kind of want to be Clara Amfo if I’m completely honest. Starting out at KISS FM, she moved swiftly onto Radio 1 where she took over from Fearne Cotton and still leads the mid-morning show. Clara isn’t afraid to stand up for what she believes on social media and is known for getting involved - which we couldn’t love more. She’s an advocate for social change, and is working with Bumble this Black History Month to shed light on romance and representation in the black community. Could she BE any cooler?
Kerry Washington
Most recently famous for her role in Amazon Prim'e’s Little Fires Everywhere starring alongside Reese Witherspoon, Kerry Washington is most definitely a woman we look up to. With high quality acting credentials and past roles, Kerry is not only an acclaimed actor, she also was presented with an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from Washington University in 2013. She is passionate about politics (upcoming election and electoral debate between Biden & Trump included), volunteering and making the world a more equal place.
H.E.R
Frontwoman of H.E.R, Gabriella Wilson, released her first single at the tender age of 14. Having been nominated for numerous Grammy’s, featured in shows such as Empire and with support from Kylie and Kendall Jenner, H.E.R is certainly making a name for herself. I first came across H.E.R when a friend sent me the Spotify link to her song called, I Can’t Breathe. After listening, I couldn’t stop thinking about the lyrics: ‘We seek justice, we are past fear, We are fed up eating your shit. Because you think your so-called "black friend", Validates your wokeness and erases your racism.’ With words like that, H.E.R and Gabriella are going to go far, and we can’t wait.
Ella Balinska
Introducing the amazing Ella Balinska. Model turned actress, Ella’s break out role was in the most recent adaption of the Charlie’s Angels franchise, starring alongside Kristin Stewart, Elizabeth Banks and Naomi Scott. She has previously described her background as a fusion of British, Polish and Caribbean and she is passionate about standing up for black women and against racism often taking to social media to express her beliefs. Also, her mum is famous British chef, Lorraine Pascale!
Bernadette Evaristo
Known for her book Girl, Woman, Other London-born Bernadette is definitely someone to aspire to. I first heard her speak on Elizabeth Day’s podcast How to Fail and just listening to her made me feel inspired. Well spoken, articulate and insanely intelligent, she has a way of expressing her thoughts that just resonates. She also mentors up and coming black poets and isn’t shy about expressing her dissatisfaction with publishing houses that exclude black authors and writers - rightfully so. Her novel Blonde Roots, written in 2008, takes a satirical stance on slavery where Europeans are slaves to African masters and it’s officially been added to our C Word Reading List.
Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks is possibly one of the most famous black activists - let alone female black activists. She hated the segregation that permeated the 50’s between black and white people, and in 1955 is most known for occupying the ‘middle section’ of the bus (known as the overflow section) and being asked to move so that white people could sit instead. In protest, Rosa refused to give up her seat and was consequently arrested and put in prison. Her small act of protest caught national attention and prompted further civil rights protests and The Montgomery Bus Boycott, which one year later was successful and buses were integrated. Go, Rosa!
Lizzo
What kind of a woman would I be if I didn’t include Lizzo in our Black History Month roundup. Nothing gets me up and out of bed like Good as Hell. Seriously, it’s the most empowering alarm clock on the planet. It’s not just Lizzo’s music that makes her such an icon, but her advocacy for body positivity. In a world that shames women in the music industry (and in general) to look a certain way, Lizzo just says a casual fuck you - which we love - turns out I’m 100% that bitch too.
Maya Angelou
It wouldn’t be right to write a Black History Month article about black women that inspire us without including Maya Angelou. A woman whose quotes alone are enough to inspire action and activism. Often hailed as a global renaissance woman, she is quite literally an inspiration. Poet, author, activist, she’s done it all. Not many know she was a sex worker and nightclub performer in her youth, but also a dancer, a playwright, a director, a writer, an actress, and a professor. What’s more she also managed to find time to report on the decolonisation of Africa from Egypt and Ghana. She is quite literally the epitome of a multi-faceted woman.
Katherine Johnson
If you haven’t seen the 2016 film Hidden Figures starring Taraji P. Henson about the life of Katherine Johnson and her pioneering mathematics in launching the first crewed space flights in the US - watch it NOW! Katherine wasn’t only fundamental in producing calculations to aid the launch of the first crewed space rocket, but she was also named as one of the first African-American women to work at NASA as a scientist. In 2015, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by none other than Barack Obama. She is an inspiration for all to pursue your dreams, because they are achievable.
Read our articles on How NOT to be an anti-racist but an ally and How to be more actively anti-racist as white women (and men).
