Notable Black Women Who Have Shaped American History

Celebrating amazing women for Women’s History Month.

Black Women Rock - In honor of Women’s History Month, BET.com is highlighting Black women who have contributed to American history in business, technology, fashion, music, film and more. —Dominique Zonyéé (@DominiqueZonyee)(Photos from left: Ian Gavan/Getty Images, Win McNamee/Getty Images, Larry Busacca/Getty Images for DuJour Magazine)

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Black Women Rock - In honor of Women’s History Month, BET.com is highlighting Black women who have contributed to American history in business, technology, fashion, music, film and more. —Dominique Zonyéé (@DominiqueZonyee)(Photos from left: Ian Gavan/Getty Images, Win McNamee/Getty Images, Larry Busacca/Getty Images for DuJour Magazine)

Michelle Obama’s supportive shout-out to Robin Roberts for going public about her sexuality:  - “I am so happy for you and Amber. You continue to make us all proud.”  (Photo: AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

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Michelle Obama - How is Michelle Obama not an icon? She is America’s first lady, a mother, a wife and an activist. She has supported everything from gay rights to education and she’s on a mission to end childhood obesity.(Photo: Susan Walsh/AP Photo, File)

Beyoncé - Call her Queen B, King B or Yoncé for mastering the art of reinvention. Grammy Award-winning songstress Beyoncé has the kind of presence some can only imagine. While she has influenced music and pop culture in more ways than one, her December 2013 digital album release put her in a lane of her own as she continues to set trends and play by her own rules.(Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood Entertainment)

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Beyoncé - Call her Queen B, King B or Yoncé for mastering the art of reinvention. Grammy Award-winning songstress Beyoncé has the kind of presence some can only imagine. While she has influenced music and pop culture in more ways than one, her December 2013 digital album release put her in a lane of her own as she continues to set trends and play by her own rules.(Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood Entertainment)

Lupita Nyong’o - Fresh out of Yale Drama School in her role as tortured slave Patsey in the Oscar-winning film 12 Years a Slave, Lupita Nyong’o went from being an unknown actress to a household name. Her image was featured on international magazine covers as almost every news outlet gawked at her red carpet style. When Nyong’o won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, she instantly became a role model for all.(Photo: John Shearer/Invision/AP)

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Lupita Nyong’o - Fresh out of Yale Drama School in her role as tortured slave Patsey in the Oscar-winning film 12 Years a Slave, Lupita Nyong’o went from being an unknown actress to a household name. Her image was featured on international magazine covers as almost every news outlet gawked at her red carpet style. When Nyong’o won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, she instantly became a role model for all.(Photo: John Shearer/Invision/AP)

Isis King - As the first transgender contestant on America’s Next Top Model, Isis King truly blazed a path. In the end, she didn’t win the coveted modeling contract, but she did use the opportunity to help change perceptions about the LGBT community, and she continues to work as an advocate today.   (Photo by Fernando Leon/Getty Images)

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Isis King - Transgender model Isis King is going against societal norms and changing the face of modeling as the world knows it. She was the first transgender model on the hit show America’s Next Top Model, which catapulted her career. She recently became the first transgender model for American Apparel.(Photo: Fernando Leon/Getty Images)

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Oprah Winfrey - They must not get television in Zurich. That's the only way we could explain why a shopkeeper in the Swiss city would deny one of the richest women in the world, Winfrey, the opportunity to buy a pricey Hèrmes handbag, telling her, "it's too expensive." We think this is one of those situations that warrants the phrase, "Don't you know who I am?" (Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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Oprah Winfrey - Oprah Winfrey is an icon for her contributions to media, philanthropy and film. Since she stepped on the scene in the 1980s as a reporter, Winfrey has been breaking down barriers for African-Americans and women. She was the youngest person and the first African-American woman to anchor the news at Nashville's WTVF-TV. Now, she is the first Black billionaire.(Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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Rihanna - Rihanna is fresh, risqué and Unapologetic. The sassy diva makes her own rules and the world can’t help but love her. With more than 8 million followers on Instagram and Twitter, Rihanna is iconic not only for her slew of No. 1 hits, but for her ability to set trends.(Photo: Stefan Gosatti/Getty Images)

Suzanne F. Shank - Suzanne F. Shank is the head of one of the top Black-owned investment banks, Siebert Brandford Shank & Co., LLC. Shank started from the bottom as a techie. She co-founded Siebert Brandford Shank & Co., LLC, in 1996 and is a partner in the firm. Her ability to shine in a male-dominated industry is a testament to women in finance across the nation.(Photo: National Black MBA Association via Twitter)

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Suzanne F. Shank - Suzanne F. Shank is the head of one of the top Black-owned investment banks, Siebert Brandford Shank & Co., LLC. Shank started from the bottom as a techie. She co-founded Siebert Brandford Shank & Co., LLC, in 1996 and is a partner in the firm. Her ability to shine in a male-dominated industry is a testament to women in finance across the nation.(Photo: National Black MBA Association via Twitter)

Ntozake Shange - Self-proclaimed feminist and playwright Ntozake Shange is most famous for her play For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf (1975). It was adapted into a book in 1977 and Tyler Perry adapted the play into a film in 2010. Shange’s various works have been published in magazines and anthologies and have garnered several awards.(Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

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Ntozake Shange - Self-proclaimed feminist and playwright Ntozake Shange is most famous for her play For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf (1975). It was adapted into a book in 1977 and Tyler Perry adapted the play into a film in 2010. Shange’s various works have been published in magazines and anthologies and have garnered several awards.(Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

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Shonda Rhimes - Screenwriter, producer and director Shonda Rhimes was named to Time Magazine’s 100 list in 2007. She is the woman behind Grey’s Anatomy and ABC’s No. 1 show, Scandal.(Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for DGA)

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Maya Angelou: April 4 - America's most beloved poet turns 84.(Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)

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Maya Angelou - When you think of a literary renaissance woman, Maya Angelou should be the first who comes to mind. She was the first African-American woman to have her screenplay turned into a film with the 1972 international hit Georgia, Georgia. Now in her ‘80s, Angelou has won a National Book Award, a Pulitzer Prize and many more accolades.(Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)

Wanda Sykes - Crowned one of America’s funniest comedians, Wanda Sykes became the first African-American woman to perform at the annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in 2009. She is one of the few Black female comedians who had her own hit series and has transcended racial barriers on and off the stage.(Photo: Ray Mickshaw/PictureGroup)

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Wanda Sykes - Crowned one of America’s funniest comedians, Wanda Sykes became the first African-American woman to perform at the annual White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in 2009. She is one of the few Black female comedians who had her own hit series and has transcended racial barriers on and off the stage.(Photo: Ray Mickshaw/PictureGroup)

Tracy Reese - Alexandra McQueen: "Fashion designer Tracy Reese because she is a big inspiration."(Photo: Dario Cantatore/PictureGroup)

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Tracy Reese - Fashion designer Tracy Reese stepped on the scene in 1987 but did not get her grounding in the fashion world until she relaunched in 1997. She has expanded her brand to shoes, women’s wear and home goods. Reese can be credited with helping to make Michelle Obama, Beyoncé and Alicia Keys look amazing.(Photo: Dario Cantatore/PictureGroup)