2013: ‘Year of the Black Woman’

How refreshing: Barely half a month in, and 2013 is already being heralded the ‘Year of the Black Woman’. A title coined in an article from The Voice Newspaper, which has highlighted the rising success of black women from every facet of society, many of whom have garnered attention from power-list magazines such as Forbes. Looking at many of these powerful women it is clear that Black sisters are in fact ‘doing it for themselves.’

A week before her husband’s inauguration of his historical second-term Michelle Obama is autonomously holding her own even whilst being the dutyful First Lady.

There are even speculations to the possibility of her launching her own presidential ambitions sometime in the future.

Only 50 years ago, a Black president in the United States of America was thought impossible and quite frankly it is still a miracle. Yet the exciting possibility of the first FEMALE president also being black is a very real prospect.

Interestingly little known to the mainstream public is the world’s richest black woman, Nigerian-born Folorunsho Alakija. Worth more than 3.2 Billion dollars, by 500 million dollars, she surpasses Oprah Winfrey and joins a very elite club.

In addition to being at the top of the list for the richest black woman on the planet, at 61 oil magnate Alakija is also a mother, grandmother, wife of 40 years, fashion designer and active philanthropist. Proof that we can, in reality, have it all.

American businesswoman Mellody Hobson, a noted veritable success in her own right, is set to marry long-time partner, movie tycoon George Lucas. Their union will make her arguably one of the most powerful women in the movie business.

She is already, amongst various titles, the chairman of DreamWorks Animation SKG. Inc. and President of prestigious American investment firm, Ariel Investments, at the pinnacle of a wildly triumphant career.

Kimberly Motley, a former beauty queen (Ms. Wisconsin 2004) and model has risen despite tremendous adversity including death and rape threats to become the No. 1 lawyer in Afghanistan, taking on their courts again and again and winning every time.

Not to forget our women here Shirley Adebayo and her business The Health Visiting Service are revolutionising the NHS and how it works, taking on this very decidedly British institution and showing it how it can work better. A partnership between her and prominent fellow innovatory Shadow Health Minister, Diane Abbott could accomplish truly great things.

Gone are the days of being forced to stand idly by whilst life, change and society moved around  us, we are now in the thick of things and navigating treacherous waters with great aplomb. 2013 – The Year of the Black Woman; sounds rather tremendous.

Ashlea Williams