Girl Power: Ten Powerful Black Women in Films and Television

From Olivia Pope to Cookie Lyon, these ladies kick butt.

Pam Grier in Coffy - In 1973’s Coffy, Pam Grier played a nurse-turned-vigilante (or, according to the tagline, a “one-chick hit squad”), known as much for her killer moves as her killer curves. Coffy's ensembles, comprised mostly of hot pants and triangle bikini tops, could disarm any enemy.  (Photo: American International Pictures)
Danai Gurira in The Walking Dead - The Zimbabwean-American actress plays one of the most terrifying and complex characters on television. As the survivalist Michonne on The Walking Dead, Gurira counts only on herself, her sword and her zombie pets to stay alive. (Photo: AMC)
Angela Bassett in Strange Days - Set in the dystopian future of 1999, Strange Days is one of the few fantasy films to explicitly tackle issues of race, class and sex. Bassett, in one of her most celebrated — and underrated — roles, plays Mace, best friend and bodyguard to Black marketeer Ralph Fiennes and the voice of conscience in the film.  (Photo: Lightstorm Entertainment)
Zoe Saldana in Star Trek - No stranger to playing tough chicks after films like Avatar and even the ballet drama Center Stage, Saldana's no-nonsense attitude really got to shine in the Star Trek franchise reboot. As Uhura, the Starship Enterprise's most competent lieutenant, Saldana was the perfect choice to take over Nichelle Nichols' iconic role.  (Photo: Paramount Pictures, Skydance Productions)Jada Pinkett-Smith in The Matrix - "I love being badass," Jada Pinkett Smith declared when talking about her role as Niobe in the Matrix trilogy. The role of the ship captain in the films was specifically created for Pinkett Smith by the Wachowskis, who were equally impressed by her take-charge demeanor and impressive physical form.   (Photo: Warner Bros)

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56th NAACP Image Awards Highlights

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Danai Gurira in The Walking Dead - The Zimbabwean-American actress plays one of the most terrifying and complex characters on television. As the survivalist Michonne on The Walking Dead, Gurira counts only on herself, her sword and her zombie pets to stay alive. (Photo: AMC)

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