26 Famous Black Female Politicians Who Are Great Role Models

Michelle Obama worked as a lawyer before her husband, Barack Obama, began his political career. She served as first lady of the United States from 2009-2017, championing issues including children's health and support for military families.

Condoleezza Rice has held many offices, most notably as Secretary of State from 2005-2009.

Shirley Chisholm was the first African American woman elected to Congress. She served in the U.S. House of Representatives for New York from 1969-1983. Chisholm was also the first Black candidate - and woman - to run for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination.

Kamala Harris was the first Black woman elected to serve as California's attorney general. In 2016, she was elected to the U.S. Senate, the second Black woman to hold that position.

In 2019 she ran for president of the United States, but dropped out, then became Joe Biden's running mate. In November 2020 she became the first Black woman and the first person of South Asian descent elected to the vice presidency.

Constance Baker Motley blazed many political trails in New York. She was the first Black woman to serve in the state's senate, the first female borough president of Manhattan, and the first Black woman to serve as a federal judge.

Dorothy Height was the president of the National Council of Negro Women. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1994, and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2004.