10 Women Who Made History

And the lessons they’ve taught me!

I'm kicking off Women's History Month with a list of my top 10 influential black women in history who have taught me a personal lesson in overcoming challenges and working to achieve my goals. It was SO hard to keep this list to 10 so I focused on the the lessons that would be more impactful and hopefully inspire you!

Here we go!

10. Mary Jane Patterson
First black woman to get a college degree
She taught me never to let imposter syndrome stop me.

9. Shirley Chisholm
First black woman elected to Congress
She taught me to bring my own seat to the table.

8. Toni Morrison
First black woman to win Nobel Prize
She taught me that my true self is enough.

7. Madam CJ Walker
First black female millionaire
She taught me that my best revenge is my paper.

6. Michelle Obama
First black FLOTUS
She taught me to never let them see me sweat.

5. Ruby Bridges
First black child to racially integrate an all white elementary school in the South
She taught me that BIG courage sometimes comes in small packages.

4. Tarana Burke
Feminist activist and founder of #MeToo movement
She taught me to speak up.

3. Beyonce
She holds 20 different record breaking titles including Most Grammy Awards won by a female artist and Highest Annual Earnings for a female singer.
She taught me to step into my light.

2. Serena Williams
She holds 39 major titles: 23 singles (she was pregnant for one of these), 14 women's doubles, 2 mixed doubles.
She taught me to always bet on myself.

1. Rihanna
She’s killing it with Fenty and her Super Bowl LVII performance set the Guinness World Record for the most-watched half time show in history (And she was also pregnant).
She taught me to set my own standards.

These women are fierce and it doesn’t mean they don’t have bad days. It means they get up more times than they are knocked down and that’s the resilience I aspire to have.

Who on this list inspires you? Sign up for my mailing list below for proven formulas on how to build confidence, fight imposter syndrome and step into your light.