Skip to content
  • Essence GU
  • Beautycon
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Afropunk
  • Essence Studios
  • Soko Mrkt
  • Ese Funds
  • Refinery29
  • 2025 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Entrepreneurship
  • News
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
  • Subscribe
Home • Black History Month

27 Modern-Day Black Women Who Made History With Their Firsts

As various industries- from entertainment to politics- evolve, Black women continue to be a leading force of change.
27 Modern-Day Black Women Who Made History With Their Firsts
Getty images
By Rachaell Davis · Updated February 2, 2023

As the world continues to turn, Black women continue to be a leading force across all industries.

While pioneers like Madame CJ Walker, Shirley Chisholm, Hattie McDaniel, Dorothy Dandridge and countless others laid the foundation, there are also plenty of women breaking barriers today.

From education and politics, to music, sports and film, Black Girl Magic continues to make history daily.

Here’s a look at Black women who have made history with their “firsts” in the last 15 years.

01
Quinta Brunson
In 2022, Quinta Brunson became the first Black woman to receive three Emmy nominations in the comedy category in one year for her sitcom Abbott Elementary.
27 Modern-Day Black Women Who Made History With Their Firsts
02
Starr Andrews
On January 27, 2023, Starr Andrews became the first Black Woman To medal At the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in 35 years.
27 Modern-Day Black Women Who Made History With Their Firsts
03
Angela Bassett
On January 24, Angela Bassett became the first actor to receive an Academy Award nomination for a Marvel role.
27 Modern-Day Black Women Who Made History With Their Firsts
04
Sheryl Lee Ralph
At the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards, Sheryl Lee Ralph became the first Black woman to win the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 35 years.
27 Modern-Day Black Women Who Made History With Their Firsts
05
Tamron Hall

In 2014, Tamron Hall became the first Black woman to co-anchor ‘Today’ Show. “I’m a part of this for women, for Black women, for all of us,” she told ESSENCE.com.

27 Modern-Day Black Women Who Made History With Their Firsts
Peter Kramer/NBC/NBC NewsWire via Getty Images
06
Lupita Nyong’o
First Black spokesperson for Lancome
27 Modern-Day Black Women Who Made History With Their Firsts
Lancome
07
Carla D. Hayden
First Black Librarian of Congress
27 Modern-Day Black Women Who Made History With Their Firsts
google.com
08
Halle Berry
First Black woman to win an Oscar for best actress.
27 Modern-Day Black Women Who Made History With Their Firsts
MIKE NELSON/Getty Images
09
Maritza Correia
First Black woman to earn a place on the U.S. Olympic swim team
27 Modern-Day Black Women Who Made History With Their Firsts
Getty images
10
Misty Copeland
First Black performer to be appointed principal dancer for the American Ballet Theater
27 Modern-Day Black Women Who Made History With Their Firsts
CBS Photo Archive/Getty images
11
Michelle Obama
First Black woman to become First Lady of the United States
27 Modern-Day Black Women Who Made History With Their Firsts
Chip Somodevilla
12
Ava DuVernay

First Black female director to receive a Golden Globe Award

27 Modern-Day Black Women Who Made History With Their Firsts
Steve Granitz/Getty Images
13
Loretta Lynch
First Black woman to become Attorney General of the United States
27 Modern-Day Black Women Who Made History With Their Firsts
Alex Wong/Getty images
14
Paulette Brown
First Black woman to be named president of the American Bar Association
27 Modern-Day Black Women Who Made History With Their Firsts
Boston Globe/Getty images
15
Mia Love
In 2017, she became the first Black female Republican to be elected to Congress.
27 Modern-Day Black Women Who Made History With Their Firsts
Bill Clark/Getty images
16
Rihanna
First Black woman to be the face of Dior
27 Modern-Day Black Women Who Made History With Their Firsts
Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho/Getty images
17
Shonda Rhimes

First Black woman to create and executive produce a top 10 network series

27 Modern-Day Black Women Who Made History With Their Firsts
Randy Holmes/Getty images
18
Gabrielle Douglas
First Black woman to become individual all-around Olympic champion
27 Modern-Day Black Women Who Made History With Their Firsts
VALERIE MACON/Getty images
19
Beyonce
First artist ever to have 6 albums debut at Number 1 on the Billboard charts
27 Modern-Day Black Women Who Made History With Their Firsts
Larry Busacca/PW/Getty images
20
Simone Biles
First Black all-around world champion
27 Modern-Day Black Women Who Made History With Their Firsts
Harry How/Getty images
21
Charlottesville Mayor Nikuyah Walker

In 2018, she became the first Black woman mayor of Charlottesville, VA.

27 Modern-Day Black Women Who Made History With Their Firsts

@NikuyahWalkerCC Twitter

22
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell
She is the first Black woman to be elected mayor of New Orleans.
27 Modern-Day Black Women Who Made History With Their Firsts
LaToya Cantrell Facebook
23
Tonya Boyd
She is the first Black woman to be named Deputy Chief of the NYC Fire Department.
27 Modern-Day Black Women Who Made History With Their Firsts

FDNY

24
Lena Waithe
In 2017, Lena became the first Black woman to win an Emmy for comedy writing.
27 Modern-Day Black Women Who Made History With Their Firsts
Frazer Harrison/
25
Mia Love

‏@MiaBLove: “Hey President Obama – Yoda was right, “Do or do not, there is no try.” We need progress, not excuses. #townhalldebate #CantAfford4More” 

27 Modern-Day Black Women Who Made History With Their Firsts
26
Oprah
In 2018, Oprah became the first Black woman to receive the prestigious Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award.
27 Modern-Day Black Women Who Made History With Their Firsts
Kevork Djansezian/NBC/Getty Images
27
Kamala Harris
Upon inauguration on January 20, 2021, Kamala Harris became the first female vice president as well as the first African American and first Asian American vice president.
27 Modern-Day Black Women Who Made History With Their Firsts