As we already know, Black women are disproportionately underrepresented in film and television. Most Hollywood executives tend to overlook them, casting them as the main character’s best friends, sidekicks, Magical Negroes whose sole purpose is to help the main white character find their best selves, or some other lesser-known character—the one Black friend in a sea of white faces, the sassy, tell-it-like-it-is maid, coworker, neighbor, or acquaintance the white character meets when they need a good sassin up.
To inform the observing world of the moment, soul sisters have made their own lane or found a place to shine even within this lily-white matrix. In no particular order, here is my ranking of the top ten Black female TV and film heroines.
Michonne (Danai Gurira), The Walking Dead
In Black Panther, Danai Gurira played General Okoye, among other roles. She was amazing in that role, indeed. But what really stopped people cold was her scene-stealing appearance on The Walking Dead. When she arrived on the scene, those walkers had no chance. The actual monsters in that series didn’t care about other living humans either.
Julia Baker (Diahann Carroll), Julia
Diahann Carroll, the first African-American actress to play a non-traditional role in a sitcom, rose to fame in 1968 for her part in the primetime series Julia. Carroll is only listed for Julia rather than Claudine since, in the absence of Julia, it’s uncertain if Carroll will land that other legendary part.
Shuri (Letitia Wright), Black Panther
In Black Panther, Shuri won our hearts, especially those of us with younger sisters. To the tea, she played that. Her extraordinary intelligence, which was on par with, if not superior to, that of her older brother, King T. Challa, was what really made it stand out.
Miss Sofia (Oprah Winfrey), The Color Purple
In the classic movie The Color Purple, media mogul Oprah Winfrey underwent a dramatic metamorphosis and was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington), Scandal
Even though I didn’t often watch Scandal, I was well aware of Olivia Pope. Everyone did. That’s how strong the actress and role were, Ms. Washington.
Mammy (Hattie McDaniel) Gone with the Wind
Hattie McDaniel received a lot of criticism for her performance, which made her the first African-American to win an Academy Award in 1939. Less well known is the fact that McDaniel is the reason those racists avoided using the n-word throughout the entire film. They were not permitted to use it by McDaniel. She also supported Black people in numerous other obscure and behind-the-scenes ways.
Claire Huxtable (Phylicia Rashad), The Cosby Show
Now C mon! It is a no-brainer to cast Phylicia Rashad, a Houston native, as Claire Huxtable.
Annalise Keating (Viola Davis), How to Get Away with Murder
Even though Viola Davis starred in films like The Woman King, Doubt, The Help, and her recurring role as the notorious Amanda Waller in DC, her most famous part was as the energetic law professor on How to Get Away with Murder.
Jane Pitman (Cicely Tyson), The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman)
Award-winning actress Cicely Tyson won a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie and her first Emmy for Actress of the Year thanks to her autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman.
Foxy Brown (Pam Grier), Foxy Brown
Pam Grier’s performance in the 1974 film Foxy Brown launched her into popularity and continues to serve as a tribute to the strength of female strength.
Furthermore, Mos Def, this is not a comprehensive list. Numerous other characters and actresses deserve a place on this list. Effie Williams (Mary Alice) in 1976’s Sparkle, Florida Evans (Esther Rolle) in Good Times; Niobe (Jada Pinkett-Smith) in The Matrix franchise [favorite Niobe line: We ain’t come this far! if you know, you know]; Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer), Hidden Figures; Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett) in Wakanda Forever; and Isis (Gabrielle Union) in Bring It On
