By Kennedy Williams
We all know that an HBCU education prepares you to change the world and the presence of HBCU grads on Forbes’s latest list of The World’s Most Powerful Women proves that.
Forbes ranked Spelman College alumna Stacey Abrams at #100. Abrams is a lawyer and voting rights activist who has made an incredible impact on Georgia’s home state. After losing to Brian Kemp in the 2018 Georgia gubernatorial election, Stacey founded Fair Fight Action, an organization created to help fight voter suppression. Abrams and her efforts played a significant role in flipping Georgia blue in the 2020 Presidential election.
Rosalind “Roz” Brewer, another Spelman alumna, came in at #48. Brewer is a businesswoman that has made history more than once. In 2012, she became the first African American to lead a Walmart division when she became the President and CEO of Sam’s Club. In 2017, she was named the COO of Starbucks, making her the first woman and first African American to hold the leadership position.
As if that wasn’t impressive enough, Brewer became the first and only person of color to sit on Amazon’s board. She continues to raise the bar in business and inspire people everywhere to walk boldly into spaces that were not always available to them.
Coming in at #20 is the incomparable Oprah Winfrey. A Tennessee State University graduate, Ms. Winfrey’s career has been nothing short of monumental. After hosting a hit talk show for over 25 years, Oprah created her own network, which is now worth more than $65 million. Winfrey’s trailblazing accomplishments and selfless philanthropy make it clear why she has earned a spot on this year’s list.
Howard University grad and Vice President-elect Kamala comes in at #3. Throughout her career, Harris has continuously made history. In 2010 she became the first African American and the first woman to serve as attorney general of her home state California. She later became the first Indian American woman elected to the U.S Senate, and on November 7th, she became the first woman to be elected Vice President.
We celebrate these women for making a huge impact on the world around them and for showcasing just how valuable an HBCU education is.
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