We already know Black women get the short end of the stick when it comes to roles in movies and TV shows. They’re generally an afterthought to most Hollywood execs, who cast them as sidekicks, best friends to the main character, a “Magical Negro” whose only purpose is to help the main white character discover their best selves, or some even more background-ish character – the one Black friend in a sea of white faces, the sassy, tell-it-like-it-is maid, co-worker, neighbor or acquaintance the white character meets when they need a good sassin’ up.
But even within this lily-white matrix, soul sisters have found space to shine or created their own lane to let the viewing world know what time it is. Here’s my list of the “Top 10 Black women TV/movie heroines” in no certain order.
Michonne (Danai Gurira), The Walking Dead
Danai Gurira as Michonne. Credit AMC.
Yes, Danai Gurira was General Okoye in Black Panther, etc. Yes, she was the bomb in that role. But it was her scene-stealing presence on The Walking Dead that stopped folk dead in their tracks. Those walkers didn’t stand a chance when she rolled up on the scene. And neither did the real monsters of that series – other living people.
Julia Baker (Diahann Carroll), Julia
Diahann Carroll-julia-Credit 20th Century Fox
In 1968, Diahann Carroll became iconic for her role in the primetime series Julia as she became the first African-American actress to star in a non-stereotypical role in a sitcom. The only reason Carroll is on this list for Julia instead of Claudine is because without Julia, who knows if Carroll gets that other iconic role.
Shuri (Letitia Wright), Black Panther
Letitia Wright as Shuri. Credit Marvel Studios.
Shuri stole our hearts in Black Panther, especially us folk with little sisters. She played that to the tea. But what really took it to the next level was her next-level genius intellect that rivaled, if not surpassed the next-level intellect of her big brother, King T’Challa.
Miss Sofia (Oprah Winfrey), The Color Purple
Miss Sofia (Oprah Winfer). Credit Warner Bros.
Media mogul Oprah Winfrey truly transformed in the iconic film The Color Purple, which earned her an Oscar nod for Best Supporting Actress.
Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington), Scandal
Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope. AP/ABC Photo, Richard Cartwright
I rarely even watched Scandal, but I knew exactly who Olivia Pope was. Everybody did. That’s how powerful a role – and actress, Ms. Washington – that was.
Mammy (Hattie McDaniel) Gone with the Wind
Hattie McDaniel (left) AP Photo.
Hattie McDaniel caught absolute hell for her role that allowed her to become the first African-American to take home an Academy Award for her 1939 role. What’s less known is that McDaniel is the reason those racist folk kept the n-word “out they mowf” during the entire movie. McDaniel wouldn’t allow them to use it. She also advocated for Blackfolk in many other behind-the-scenes and little-known ways.
Claire Huxtable (Phylicia Rashad), The Cosby Show
Clair (Phylicia Rashad) and Cliff Huxtable (Bill Cosby). Credit NBC
C’mon now! Houston native Phylicia Rashad as Claire Huxtable is an absolute no-brainer.
Annalise Keating (Viola Davis), How to Get Away with Murder
Viola Davis as Annalise Keating. Credit ABC/AP.
Viola Davis may have starred in The Woman King, Doubt, The Help or her recurring DC role as the notorious Amanda Waller, but it was her role as the dynamic law professor on How to Get Away with Murder that cemented her legendary status.
Jane Pitman (Cicely Tyson), The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman)
Cicely Tyson holds up two Emmys she won for portraying Miss Jane Pittman. Credit AP
The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman lead award-winning actress, Cicely Tyson, to her first Emmy win for Actress of the Year and a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie.
Foxy Brown (Pam Grier), Foxy Brown
Pam Grier as Foxy Brown. Credit American International Pictures.
Pam Grier’s role in the 1974 movie Foxy Brown catapulted her into stardom and still stands as a testament to almighty girl power.
And Mos Def, this list isn’t exhaustive. There are plenty more characters/actresses who are deserving of a spot on this list – Isis (Gabrielle Union) in Bring It On; 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; Effie Williams (Mary Alice) in 1976’s Sparkle, Florida Evans (Esther Rolle) in Good Times…
