40th Anniversary: Fierce and Fabulous Luncheon

ESSENCE Magazine hosted an intimate luncheon in New York City in honor of 40 dynamic African-American women who have paved the way, and continue to inspire us in their every day fabulosity. Whether stealing a scene in an Oscar-winning movie, or being the first African-American to head an Ivy League institution, these sisters have certainly broken through the glass ceiling. From legendary icon Diahann Carroll to actress Anika Noni Rose, it was a star-studded gathering to remember. And as actress Malinda Williams so eloquently put it, we all should have moments where we're able to look at other women and say, "If you look good then I look good. So don't make me look bad because I'm not going to make you look bad." Check out what these phenomenal women had to say about what makes them fierce and fabulous.