For Women’s History Month and in the spirit of tonights 86th annual Oscars, we salute eight fierce Black women for their portrayal of heroic women on and off screen.
Maya Angelou, was the first black woman director in Hollywood. Her work includes, “Visions,” (1976) and “Down in the Delta.” (1998)
Viola Davis was nominated for an Academy Award for her eleven minute-long performance in the film “Doubt and then again for her outstanding portrayal of Aibileen Clark, in “The Help.” (2011)
Ruby Dee, in 2008, at the age of 83, became the second oldest actress to be nominated for an Academy Award.
Ava Marie Duvernay – In 2012 became the first African-American woman to win the Best Director Prize for her second feature film Middle of Nowhere, at the Sundance Film Festival.
Beah Richards, earned an Oscar nomination for her role as the peacemaking mother in “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.” (1967)
Cicely Tyson earned an Oscar Nomination for her role in “Sounder.” (1972)
Alice Walker won the Pulitzer Prize for her third novel, “The Color Purple,” which subsequently was made into an Oscar nominated film.
Oprah Winfrey was nominated for an Oscar for her role as Sophia in “The Color Purple.” (1985)
