Women Empowerment Essay: Famous Women in History
The old-fashioned Hollywood bombshells are perfect expressions of female complexity. I am quite taken with the depth and influence of these women beyond their sex appeal and glamor. Dorothy Dandridge & Lena Horne initially come to mind. Both actresses and singers of the 1950s &1960s, these two were stunning expressions of talent, beauty and black human complexity.
Born within five years of each other, both women amazed me with the prominent parallels of their artistic journeys. Beauty was only one element of the equation, as the influence of these women held great magnitude. Firstly, their influence was instrumental in the inclusion of black people in entertainment, and the achieving of justice for blacks.
With Dandridge being the first black female Oscar award recipient , and Horne’s activism in and out of the industry, these two were absolute trailblazers. The icing on top was their ethereal external beauty, which made them the black community’s answer to iconic stars like Marilyn Monroe & Jayne Mansfield who were both exceptionally stunning white women.
Monroe and Mansfield were breathtaking expressions of a similar blonde aesthetic, executed in their own unique ways. An actress and the other a playboy playmate of the 50s and 60s, I am intrigued that two different souls could identically portray the same aesthetic of white beauty. As striking as Mansfield and Monroe were, however, it is refreshing to have Dandridge and Horne representing for black women.
Lastly, I think about Evelyn Washington, commonly known as Cocoa. She is truly breathtaking and drop dead gorgeous! have never seen a beauty of the contemporary world like her. Known for her outspoken and authentic digital content, she’s truly a gem to keep up with online! What floors me the most is her inner beauty and her unapologetic expression of what makes her human.
In the years I have followed Cocoa, she has been so open about mental health, her walk with God, and navigating human flaws and embracing them. She embodies the qualities of an exemplary woman including beauty, confidence, warmth & complexity. Above anything she is authentic.
The further I progress into my womanhood, I find great inspiration in the women who embody their higher selves, historically and in the present. What fascinates me most are the various parts of feminine allure, beyond the exterior.
Tragedy and Triumph: The Dorothy Dandridge Story | Vanity Fair
Lena Horne | Jazz Icon, Civil Rights Activist, Hollywood Star | Britannica
instagram.com/colormecocoa
