100 MOST FASCINATING BLACK WOMEN OF THE 20th CENTURY

The founder of Christ Universal Temple in Chicago, she has been a symbol and role model for generations of women ministers. She began her ministry in 1956 with a congregation of five. Today, her church has more than 12,000 members.

MARVA COLLINS

Influential educator and founder of the Marva Collins Preparatory School in Chicago, she helped redefine educational achievement in the late 20th century by demonstrating that Black youngsters are capable of mastering difficult academic disciplines.

ANGELA DAVIS

Activist and educator, she became a worldwide symbol of Black pride and Black protest during the '70s. Her extensive writings and speeches continue to captivate and inspire a new generation of leaders committed to social change.

RITA DOVE

In 1993, she became the first Black poet laureate of the United States. She won the Pulitzer Prize in 1985 for her book of poetry, Thomas and Beulah.

DOROTHY DANDRIDGE (1922-1965)

A major sex symbol in Hollywood, her performance in Carmen Jones earned her an Academy Award nomination for best actress. She was the first Black actress to achieve that distinction.

KATHERINE DUNHAM

Internationally renowned choreographer, dancer and ethnographer, she brought the unique rhythms of Africa and the Caribbean to the concert stage and laid the foundation for contemporary Black dancers.

JOYCELYN ELDERS

The first Black woman to serve as U.S. Surgeon General, the physician was appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1992 and served until t994. She remains a staunch advocate and educator concerning American health issues.

MARIAN WRIGHT EDELMAN

The founder and chair of the Children's Defense Fund, she is the major advocate for American children of all races and was an active participant in the Freedom Movement.

MYRLIE EVERS-WILLIAMS

Activist and business executive, she was an integral part of a historic team and led the successful struggle to bring Medgar Evers' assassin to justice. She later became the third woman to chair the NAACP.

ELLA FITZGERALD (1917-1996)

A true jazz innovator, she helped redefine American popular singing, adding virtuoso stylings to frothy, "Tin Pan Alley" tunes. She remained at the front ranks of the entertainment industry from the '40s through the '90s

CRYSTAL BIRD FAUSET (1893-1965)

The first Black woman elected to a state legislature. Voters in the 18th District of Philadelphia elected her to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1938. While she only served one year--resigning to take a post with the Works Progress Administration--she remained dedicated to improving the quality of life for African-Americans.

ARETHA FRANKLIN

She went from gospel-singing prodigy to the high priestess of R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Along the way, she opened the doors for Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson and the new legion of pop-R&B divas. One of President Clinton's favorite entertainers, she was presented with a 1994 Kennedy Center Honors Award for her contributions to the world of music.

ALTHEA GIBSON

Burst through the all-White barriers of the tennis establishment to become the first Black to win titles at the U.S. Tennis Association Championship (now known as the U.S. Open) and Wimbledon. She won titles in both events in 1957 and '58.