FAMOUS BLACK WOMEN

Kamala Harris (1964-present)

Kamala Harris is the current and 49th vice president of the United States. She stands as the first female vice president in American history, the highest-ranking female official in US history — and is the first Black and Asian American to hold the position.

Kamala Harris was sworn into the United States Senate in 2017 — just a few years before becoming vice president.

Michelle Obama (1964-present)

Not only was Michelle Obama the first African American woman to serve as the first lady of the United States, but she also continues to be a source of inspiration through her efforts to promote health and wellness for kids in America. Her story in her best-selling books "Becoming" and "The Light We Carry" encourage generations of women to dream big and never give up.

Tarana Burke (1973-present)

Tarana Burke is best known for organizing the #MeToo movement in 2006 as a means for victims of sexual violence to share their experiences with others, forming an alliance among survivors. Named Person of the Year by TIME magazine in 2017, Burke has spent her life empowering women to share their stories and fight against sexual assault with the slogan "empowerment through empathy."

Ketanji Brown Jackson (1970-present)

In April 2022, Ketanji Brown Jackson made history as the first Black woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. As a young woman, she loved the law and set her sights on Harvard University. After being discouraged by a high school guidance counselor, Jackson not only graduated magna cum laude from the university, but went on to attend Harvard Law School and served as editor of the "Harvard Law

Maya Angelou (1928–2014)

Maya Angelou Acclaimed writer and poet had another noteworthy distinction: In 1944, she became the first female Black cable car conductor in San Francisco.

Maya AngelouMichael Ochs Archives / Getty Images