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Dr. Maya Angelou  - In honor of Women's History Month, BET.com salutes the paths of 20 legendary African-American women. — Britt Middleton Acclaimed poet and author Dr. Maya Angelou was the first African-American poet to perform at a presidential inauguration, performing a reading at President Bill Clinton's ceremony in 1993. (Photo: Consolidated News Pictures/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

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Oprah Winfrey - In 2003, media mogul Oprah Winfrey was named the first Black female billionaire by Forbes magazine. (Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

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Tyra Banks - Top model Tyra Banks was the first Black woman to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine's swimsuit issue in 1997. (Photo: Chelsea Lauren/Getty Images)

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Halle Berry - Actress Halle Berry cemented her Hollywood status with her Oscar win for Best Actress in 2002. Appearing in the movie Monster's Ball, she was the first Black actress to earn the honor. (Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

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Jane Bolin - In 1939, Jane Bolin was the first Black woman to become a U.S. judge, presiding over New York City's Domestic Relations Court. (Photo: Library of Congress)

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Gwendolyn Brooks - In 1950, poet Gwendolyn Brooks won the Pulitzer Prize in poetry for her book Annie Allen, becoming the first Black recipient of the literary award. (Photo: Wikicommons)

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Rebecca Lee Crumpler - Blazing a path in the medical world, Rebecca Lee Crumpler was the first African-American to earn a medical degree in the U.S. in 1864. (Photo: Public Domain)

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Vanessa Williams  - Before actress Vanessa Williams appeared on screens both big and small, she was the first African-American crowned Miss America in 1983. She was forced to give up her crown after nude photos of her appeared in Penthouse magazine. (Photo: NBCU Photo Bank)

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Carol Moseley Braun - Elected in 1993, Carol Moseley Braun became the first Black female U.S. senator, representing the state of Illinois until 1999. In her single term in office, she was also the first Black woman to serve on the finance committee and advocated new legislation on crime, education and civil rights.  (Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images)

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Yvonne Brathwaite Burke - Yvonne Brathwaite Burke's political career included several firsts: she was the first Black female elected to the California assembly in 1966 and the first Black female from California elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1972. She also served as the first woman chair of the Congressional Black Caucus. (Photo: Wikicommons)

Photo By Photo: Wikicommons

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Condoleezza Rice - One of the Republican Party's shining stars, Condoleezza Rice was nominated to succeed Powell as U.S. Secretary of State in 2004, the first Black woman to receive the honor. She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in January 2005, serving under President Bush. (Photo: AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

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Shirley Chisholm - Shirley Chisholm was the first Black woman elected to Congress in 1968, representing New York from 1969 until 1983. In 1972, she also became the first major-party Black candidate to run for president and was the first woman to run for the Democratic presidential nomination. (Photo: Don Hogan Charles/New York Times Co./Getty Images)

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Jocelyn Elders  - Appointed by President Bill Clinton, Jocelyn Elders was the first African-American to serve as Surgeon General in 1993. (Photo: Mike Theiler / Reuters)

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Gabby Douglas  - At the 2012 Olympics in London, U.S. gymnast Gabby Douglas became the first woman of color to win gold in the all-around competition, as well as the first American gymnast to win gold in both the individual and team all-around competitions. (Photo: Julian Finney/Getty Images)

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Aretha Franklin  - Soul legend Aretha Franklin was the first woman ever inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. (Photo: JGM, PacificCoastNews.com)

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Althea Gibson - Tennis legend Althea Gibson was the first African-American to compete in the U.S. Championships in 1950. Seven years later, she made history as the first African-American to win Wimbledon. (Photo: PA Photos /Landov)

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Patricia Roberts Harris - In 1976, educator and U.S. diplomat Patricia Roberts Harris became the first Black woman appointed to a presidential cabinet position. She served as Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development under President Jimmy Carter. (Photo: Wikicommons)

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Wilma Rudolph  - At 16, Wilma Rudolph became the youngest member of the U.S. Olympic team and won a bronze medal at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne. In 1960, she won gold medals in the 100-meter, 200-meter and sprint relay events, making her the first American woman to win three medals in track and field events in the Olympics. (Photo: MCT /Landov)

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Norma Merrick Sklarek - Norma Merrick Sklarek was the first Black woman to become a licensed architect in 1962 and was the first Black woman to earn a fellowship with the American Institute of Architects in 1985. (Photo: Public Domain)

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Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander - Civil rights activist and attorney Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander was the first African-American to earn a Ph.D. in economics and the first woman to receive a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. She was also the first national president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (Photo: Wikicommons)