In honor of Black History Month, we wanted to pay homage to some of the many glamorous African American Icons of the past who have paved the way for future generations with their amazing accomplishments. Check out our gallery of some of these incredible women!
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- Aretha Franklin – Multiple Grammy winner and “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin is known for such hits as “Respect,” “Freeway of Love,” and “I Say a Little Prayer.”
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- Billie Holiday – one of the most influential jazz singers of all time.
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- Cicely Tyson – Academy Award nominated and Emmy winning actress committed to presenting positive images of strong African American women.
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- Coretta Scott King – an American civil rights activist and the wife of 1960s civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
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- Debbie Allen – choreographer, director, and dancer who has worked on such projects as Fame, West Side Story, and Sweet Charity.
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- Diahann Carroll – Academy Award nominated actress of stage, screen and TV known for her show Julia and films such as I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.
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- Diana Ross – actress and singer who was part of the 1960s trio the Supremes as well as a solo artist, and starred in such films as Lady Sings the Blues and The Wiz.
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- The Supremes – along with Diana Ross, Mary Wilson & Florence Ballard made up this magnificent female pop trio who were America’s most successful vocal group with 12 number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 in the 1960s.
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- Donyale Luna – model and actress who became the first African American model to appear on the cover of British Vogue
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- Dorothy Dandridge – actress, pin-up and popular singer, and was the first African American to be nominated for an Academy Award for best actress.
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- Gloria Davy – opera singer who became the first black artist to sing in Aida at the New York Metropolitan Opera.
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- Grace Jones – singer, actress and model known for her statuesque figure and edgy look.
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- Hazel Scott – an internationally known jazz and classical pianist and singer who became the first woman of color to have her own TV show, The Hazel Scott Show, featuring a variety of entertainment.
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- Hellen Williams – became the first black female model to break into the fashion mainstream modeling in Paris for designers such as Christian Dior and Jean Dessès.
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- Iman – retired fashion model, actress, philanthropist and entrepreneur who is also known as a pioneer in the field of ethnic cosmetics.
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- Josephine Baker – a dancer and singer who became wildly popular in France during the 1920s. She also devoted much of her life to fighting racism.
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- Lena Horne – civil rights activist, actress, pin-up and singer who is one of the most popular performers of her time, known for films such as The Wiz and her trademark song, “Stormy Weather.”
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- Nichelle Nichols – actress, singer and voice artist whose most famous role is that of Lieutenant Uhura in Star Trek. Her Star Trek character was groundbreaking in U.S society at the time, and civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. personally praised her work.
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- Pam Grier – iconic actress of the of the 1970s best known for her roles as “Coffy” and “Foxy Brown”
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- 1969 Noxema Ad in Ebony Magazine featuring an array of gorgeous African American models.
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- Sarah Vaughn – jazz vocalist known for her impressive 3 octave range who was inducted into the Jazz Hall of Fame in 1990.
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- Tina Turner – actress and pop singer who achieved popular acclaim for the powerful live performances and recordings.
*Photo and information sources – biography.com, wikipedia.org and vintageblackglamour.tumblr.com
