It's Time We Celebrate These 19 Black British Women Who Have Made History

Black women, always changing the game.

1. Nicola Adams

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Seeing a queer Black woman accomplish so much at the Olympics is awesome. Nicola became the first openly gay female boxer to become an Olympic champion in 2012 and has won the entire set of amateur championships – Olympic, Commonwealth, and European Games titles, and the World, European, and European Union championships. My girl even got an OBE in 2017. Smashing it.

2. Diane Abbott

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I really feel that Diane is a fantastic role model, as she is someone who really paved the way for Black people in Parliament. Diane Abbott was the first Black woman to be elected to the House of Commons in 1987 and has since held the position of MP for Hackney and Stoke Newington. She's so important because she was the very first, and I can't highlight that enough.

3. Candice Carty-Williams

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With the release of her debut novel Queenie, Candice became the first Black female to win Book of the Year at the British Book Awards. She has also written for The Guardian and The Sunday Times. It’s been announced that Queenie will be turned into an eight-part TV series. If you haven't read Queenie, go and take the plunge – you won't regret it.

4. Denise Lewis

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Denise Lewis has really championed the way for Black British athletes and proven to be an exceptional role model. Denise became the first British Black Woman to win an Olympic heptathlon. Levels. She also became the first recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards (BEDSA) in 2015. Need I say more?

5. Joan Armatrading

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Joan Armatrading was the first Black British Female to be nominated for a Grammy award in the blues category. In 2007, she became the first female UK artist to debut at number one on the Billboard Blues chart. She also received an Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Contemporary Song Collection in 1996. Some nice facts for you there. Black Women in music have always been overshadowed, so I find it inspiring when they receive the much-deserved credit.

6. Naomi Campbell

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Supermodel Naomi Campbell is used to coming first as she was the very first Black British model to appear in French and British Vogue, as well TIME Magazine. Naomi is very vocal about the racial discrimination she's faced, along with campaigning to fight poverty. I respect Naomi because she is just the epitome of class.

7. Baroness Doreen Lawrence

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In 1993, Doreen’s son Stephen was killed in a racist attack that sent shockwaves across Britain. Since his death, she has campaigned for justice for her son as well as other victims of racist crimes. Doreen also founded the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust which supports community groups and young people to develop new skills and play an active role in building stronger communities. I have so much respect for her and the way she's used her personal tragedy to create a positive impact for young people, as well as the Black community.

8. Pat McGrath

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Known by many as the most influential makeup artist in the world, Pat McGrath has achieved so much in her career. She was named a DBE in the 2021 New Year Honours for services to the fashion and beauty industry and was the first-ever make-up artist to be given this honour. She's worked with celebrities such as Kendall Jenner, Rihanna, and Beyoncé to name a few. Make-up can be a difficult thing for people of colour and Pat has really made strides in this area. 

9. Alex Scott

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A former Arsenal and England Player, Alex became the first Black British female presenter to host Football Focus. She's also the first Black British female commentator in Fifa 22 and is rightfully outspoken about both sexism and racism in sports. As a Black woman and an Arsenal fan who has also suffered from sexist and racist comments, seeing her speak out about these issues is so inspirational.

10. Freema Agyeman

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One for the Sci-Fi fans, Freema became the first Black companion on Dr Who companion. Freema has discussed she didn’t expect all the racist backlash from Dr Who fans. I watched a lot of Sci-Fi growing up and there were hardly any of the main cast that looked like me, but watching Freema made me realise there was a space for Black women in Sci-Fi, and I felt seen.

11. Moira Stuart

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I remember being young, watching Moira and just being fascinated at a Black woman telling me the news. Moira Stuart was the first Black British female newsreader to appear on BBC News. Her BBC career spanned over 34 years of radio and television and she's received so many honours, awards, and achievements including; a CBE, an honorary doctorate from Canterbury Christ Church University, and Best Media Personality award.

12. Dr Shirley Thompson

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Dr Shirley Thompson became the first woman in Europe to conduct and compose a symphony within the last 40 years. It’s called New Nation Rising, A 21st Century Symphony and it's just magic. Through her professional work and social commentary, Thompson has affected social, cultural, and political change. It's fantastic to see a Black woman in classical music do so well not just in the UK, but globally. 

13. Lashana Lynch

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In 2021, Lashana Lynch was named the first Black, first Female 007. Many James Bond fans were not happy with the change in race and gender but her performance won everyone over. As well as being a well-established actor, Lashana also works with the NGO Action Aid UK, which helps women in precarious situations. Definitely the sort of role models we need.

14. Vanessa Kingori

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Knowing that there's a Black woman so high up in the publishing industry is remarkable and inspiring to me. Vanessa is the first female publisher in British Vogue's 102 year-long history. She also appears on many diversity boards as well as being part of StartHER – a SOMETHING which helps female tech and business entrepreneurs get their first boost into the industry. 

15. Alice Dearing

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 Alice Dearing became the first Black British female swimmer for Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. She's also co-founder of the Black Swimming Association and was very open about her dislike for specialist swim caps designed for afro hair not being allowed at the Olympics.  When I was younger and went to swimming classes, having to wear swimming caps that weren't catered for my hair type took the joy out of the sport. Alice is all for making the changes that help Black women feel comfortable.

16. Jourdan Dunn

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In 2008, London-born Jourdan Dunn became the first Black woman to walk in a Prada show. She also appeared in Forbes' top-earning model list in 2014 – becoming the first Black British model to do so. Jourdan’s son has sickle cell anaemia and she's been an advocate for awareness of the disease. Jourdan always has my respect because she's a model who travels the world and makes time to educate others on sickle cell anaemia. Also, look at her.

17. Reni Eddo-Lodge

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In June 2020, Reni’s book Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race topped the British Book Charts – becoming the first Black woman to do so. Along with Malorie Blackman and Bernardine Evaristo, Reni has formed The Black Writers Guild to try and change the racial inequalities in the publishing industry. I like Reni because she is unapologetically Black, and her book has really helped others understand what it's like to be Black. 

18. Skin from Skunk Anansie

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In 1999, Skunk Anansie headlined Glastonbury making their lead singer Skin the first Black British Female to do so. She's openly bisexual and campaigns against sexism and racism. Skin received an OBE in 2021 for her services to music. I'm a big music and festival fan and I remember being young and watching this with my sister. We both just thought Skin was the coolest person alive for being on this huge stage and completely owning it.

19. Tessa Sanderson

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In 1984, Tessa became the first Black woman to win an Olympic gold medal. She also set five Commonwealth records and ten UK national records in the javelin. As well as her athletic successes, she founded the Tessa Sanderson Foundation and Academy, which aims to encourage young and disabled people to take up sports. I think it's amazing and encouraging that Tessa continues to make a positive change in athletics.

Feel free to share some more Black British women who have made history in the comments!