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 16 Black women who have made history with their “firsts” in the last 15 years.
01
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.
Peter Kramer/NBC/NBC NewsWire via Getty Images
02
Lupita Nyong’o
First Black spokesperson for Lancome
Lancome
03
Carla D. Hayden
First Black Librarian of Congress
google.com
04
Halle Berry
First Black woman to win an Oscar for best actress.
MIKE NELSON/Getty Images
05
Maritza Correia
First Black woman to earn a place on the U.S. Olympic swim team
Getty images
06
Misty Copeland
First Black performer to be appointed principal dancer for the American Ballet Theater
CBS Photo Archive/Getty images
07
Michelle Obama
First Black woman to become First Lady of the United States
Chip Somodevilla
08
Ava DuVernay
First Black female director to receive a Golden Globe Award
Steve Granitz/Getty Images
09
Loretta Lynch
First Black woman to become Attorney General of the United States
Alex Wong/Getty images
Loading the player...
10
Paulette Brown
First Black woman to be named president of the American Bar Association
Boston Globe/Getty images
11
Mia Love
In 2017, she became the first Black female Republican to be elected to Congress.
Bill Clark/Getty images
12
Rihanna
First Black woman to be the face of Dior
Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho/Getty images
13
Shonda Rhimes
First Black woman to create and executive produce a top 10 network series
Randy Holmes/Getty images
14
Gabrielle Douglas
First Black woman to become individual all-around Olympic champion
VALERIE MACON/Getty images
15
Beyonce
First artist ever to have 6 albums debut at Number 1 on the Billboard charts
Larry Busacca/PW/Getty images
16
Simone Biles
First Black all-around world champion
Harry How/Getty images
17
Charlottesville Mayor Nikuyah Walker
In 2018, she became the first Black woman mayor of Charlottesville, VA.
@NikuyahWalkerCC Twitter
18
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell
She is the first Black woman to be elected mayor of New Orleans.
LaToya Cantrell Facebook
19
Tonya Boyd
She is the first Black woman to be named Deputy Chief of the NYC Fire Department.
FDNY
20
Lena Waithe
In 2017, Lena became the first Black woman to win an Emmy for comedy writing.
Frazer Harrison/
21
Mia Love
@MiaBLove: “Hey President Obama – Yoda was right, “Do or do not, there is no try.” We need progress, not excuses. #townhalldebate #CantAfford4More”
22
Oprah
In 2018, Oprah became the first Black woman to receive the prestigious Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award.
