02/28/2026
These women were more than beautiful faces on a screen or voices on a stage — they were bold, brilliant forces pushing against the boundaries of their time. Nina Simone, Dorothy Dandridge, Pearl Bailey, Eartha Kitt, Billie Holiday, Mamie Smith, Joyce Bryant, Sarah Vaughan, and Hattie McDaniel turned their talent into a tool for visibility, dignity, equality, and justice.
As we move from Black History Month into Women’s History Month, I’m holding space for their legacy and the risks they took so we could stand where we are now. We must never forget, and we must always be intentional about paving the way for whoever is coming behind us.
Here’s to the women who changed the narrative — and to those of us committed to continuing the work. ✨✊🏾
DorothyDandridge PearlBailey EarthaKitt BillieHoliday MamieSmith JoyceBryant SarahVaughan