Still Here and Making Great Strides

June 14, 1939 -- "The Ethel Waters Show" appeared on NBC. Ethel Waters, along side co-stars Fredi Washington and Georgette Harvey, became the first Black women to appear on television.

June 14, 1921 -- Georgianna R. Simpson became the first black woman to receive her Ph.D. She received her Ph.D in German from the University of Chicago.

June 14, 1970 -- Cheryl Adrienne Brown won the Miss Iowa pagaent and became the first African American women to compete in the Miss America pageant.

When looking at these facts, its empowering to recognize the achievements from those who came before us. To think of the criticism they probably received, yet how they overpowered the odds, it causes feelings of inspiration.

In retrospect though, I need to ask, where are our first today? What are our young black women striving for today?

When I began to think about this question I felt somewhat saddened. I thought about some of the images that are portrayed of our black women today. I thought about all the mess that is seen in the newspapers, on television, in movies, on tv in the music videos and tv shows.

Images of Royce shaking her ass in one of the first episodes of Basketball Wives flashes through my mind. The lyrics to Rihanna's new song S&M rings in my ears. Remembering how every girl went wild on Saturday at this party when the Travis Porter song Bring it Back came on with the first line in the song being "Run and hit that pussy like a crash dummy" and the last line in the 1st verse being "Pop that pussy, I just wanna fuck you, If you ain't with it, you cute but shawty fuck you."

These thoughts bring such sadness to my heart. But then I soon remember all the great black women that I have met in the past few years. I think of the positivity that many Black woman are doing in this world, and I soon get a feeling of hope.

Yes there are terrible images of the Black woman that are being portayed in the media. However, there are many Black women in the media who are doing great things. There are also many amazing "everyday" Black women that you may encounter on the street.

Michelle Obama -- The first African American first lady. She not only stands by her man, but she is also an advocate against childhood obesity and has her own platforms.
Oprah Winfrey -- One of the richest people in the world. Retiring one of the longest running talk shows in television history, she now owns her OWN (pun intended) network in which she calls all the shots!
Ursula Burns -- The president of Xerox. Under her leadership the company grew by 20% in 2007.
Susan Chapman -- The global head of operations for Citigroup Realty. She manages the day-to-day operations of Citigroup Realty in 96 countries.
Andrea Taylor -- The director of North America community affairs for the Microsoft Corporation.
Bonita Stewart -- Managing director for US sales for Google Inc.
Cathy Hughes -- Founder of Radio One.
Sandra Long -- One of the founders of the National Association of Black Journalist.
Melissa Magee -- The darkest woman of color (and very beautiful might I add) to be the weather newscaster for ABC Philadelphia.
Erika Roberson -- One year after graduating from Lincoln University she is the assistant to the VP of CBS News in NY.

And Nicole Lockley -- ....... Well we'll see. The sky is the limit.

So people, when you think of Black women today, please don't be blinded by the negative images that are being portrayed. Open your eyes and remember that us smart, intelligent, independent Black women are still here and making great strides.