• Celebrity
    • Cardi B and Offset Cover
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
  • Fashion
    • Digital Cover – Method Man
    • Digital Cover – Zazie Beetz
    • Fashion News
    • Fashion House 2021
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO® Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • MAYBELLINE: FIT ME MATTE + PORELESS
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weaves
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Prudential – Dream & Plan with Confidence
    • Black History Month
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Holiday Gift Guide
    • Lifestyle News
    • Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
    • Currency Conversations
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Festival
  • Events
    • Road to Festival
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • Entrepreneur Summit 2021
    • Wellness House
    • VAX & VIBES Louisiana
    • Girls United Summit 2021
    • She Got Now
    • Fashion House 2021
    • GU Back To School
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • WELLNESS HOUSE: YEAR OF RENEWAL
    • Power Tools
    • Making Moves Now: Virtual Bootcamp
    • #EF SESSIONS
    • Cares Act
    • News & Announcements
  • Essence Studios
  • Girls United
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters

WHERE BLACK WOMEN COME FIRST

Every day we're serving Black women deeply. Come get a plate of goodness! Sign up for daily content and exclusive offers you'll love!

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and that you have read our Privacy Policy
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Cardi B and Offset Cover
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
  • Fashion
    • Digital Cover – Method Man
    • Digital Cover – Zazie Beetz
    • Fashion News
    • Fashion House 2021
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO® Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • MAYBELLINE: FIT ME MATTE + PORELESS
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weaves
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Prudential – Dream & Plan with Confidence
    • Black History Month
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Holiday Gift Guide
    • Lifestyle News
    • Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
    • Currency Conversations
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Festival
  • Events
    • Road to Festival
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • Entrepreneur Summit 2021
    • Wellness House
    • VAX & VIBES Louisiana
    • Girls United Summit 2021
    • She Got Now
    • Fashion House 2021
    • GU Back To School
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • WELLNESS HOUSE: YEAR OF RENEWAL
    • Power Tools
    • Making Moves Now: Virtual Bootcamp
    • #EF SESSIONS
    • Cares Act
    • News & Announcements
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · Celebrity

Tough-As-Nails Black Women

Tough-As-Nails Black Women
By · Updated October 28, 2020
01
Jada Pinkett Smith

As one of the most tenacious Hollywood actresses around, Jada rarely sways from her beliefs. Don’t believe us, check out her resume.

02
Michelle Obama

Being the First Lady of the United States can’t be easy. Michelle Obama exudes the kind of confidence and ambition every woman wishes she could.

03
Oprah

You couldn’t be the world’s richest Black woman without being tough, when necessary, and compassionate, when the time calls for it.

04
Mary J. Blige

A tough background didn’t stop MJB from reaching the top where she uses her story to heal others.

05
Queen Latifah

From rapper to Oscar-nominated star, Queen Latifah did it all with class and lots of sticktoitiveness.

06
Jennifer Hudson

Two years after her mother, brother and nephew were brutally killed, Jennifer Hudson still found a way to start anew.

07
Nicki Minaj

On wax and in real life, this Queens-bred femcee takes no prisoners.

08
Rihanna

After the Chris Brown incident, Rihanna continued living her life out loud, and didn’t ask for anyone’s pity.

09
Whoopi Goldberg

We can always count on Whoopi to go with her beliefs rather than what everyone expects her to.

10
Tyra Banks

Not content with just being a pretty face, Tyra is slowly building her own media empire.

11
Mo’Nique

Whole essays have been written about her unshaven legs and unconventional ways, but Mo’Nique won’t budge, always proclaiming to us all that she is who she is. Take it or leave it.

12
Lauryn HIll

Criticized for everything from her six children to her relationship with Rohan Marley, Lauryn Hill still maintains her dignity and does what we love her for: make music that inspires.

13
Shonda Rhimes

As the only Black woman to oversee three shows on primetime television, Shonda Rhimes is a powerhouse in Hollywood.

14
Corinne Bailey Rae

Corinne gracefully picked up the pieces after her husband’s untimely death in 2005.

15
Naomi Campbell

Though she has rubbed more than a few people the wrong way, Naomi Campbell sticks to her guns.

16
Halle Berry

This Oscar winner has used her experience with domestic abuse to help other women get out.

17
Star Jones

From “The View” to “Celebrity Apprentice,” Star Jones always spoke her mind. Don’t think this former prosecutor is going to let anything stop her from speaking her peace.

18
Terry McMillan

She survived public humiliation when her husband revealed he was gay and still kept her head up.

19
Patti LaBelle

You don’t get to enjoy over five decades in showbiz by being a pushover. Ms. Patti is the definition of fierce, fun and fabulous.

20
Maya Angelou

Angelou survived an abusive childhood, Jim Crow, and many personal failures to come out on top as one of America’s treasured authors.

Read More

Videos
BET Awards 2022 | Celebrity Sightings
In Defense of Black Lives
Former Minneapolis Cop Who Killed 911 Caller Released From P...
News
Supreme Court Protects Police From Lawsuits Over Violating M...
Awards & Events
Watch Chlöe's Sultry Performance At The 2022 BET Awards
Shop
6 Feminine Wellness Products With Life-Changing Results
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2022 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now