What do Ultra-Feminine Black Celebrities Have in Common?

I was uploading photos to Tumblr the other day and I noticed some interesting commonalities among these women who often portray EBW traits. These women tend to appear feminine and elegant in public, television and movie roles, and in their music style. They tend to dress in a feminine way, they are in shape, poised, well-mannered, sophisticated, sweet, classy, physically attractive, and many appear on the "attractive women" lists of People and men's magazines. In film and television roles they are often portrayed as wives, girlfriends, or love interests and not as racial stereotypes. They rarely appear hard, masculine, or "hood" in real life but occasionally they do for roles (e.g., Thandie Newton). 


The women may not display EBW traits all the time but I think it is a good list but of course it is not exhaustive. Furthermore, there is also a bias because these are the celebrities I know and prefer (some may disagree and feel someone belongs on the list that I don't, for instance Halle Berry or Alisha Keys). Given the fantastic nature of the internet you can watch and read content about all of these women (and many more) at any time to be inspired! I would recommend looking at their photo shoots online (e.g., at my Tumblr site) because their photos depict them as EBWs even if some of their roles do not. Focus your entertainment consumption on these women instead of the negative and stereotypical depictions (e.g., reality TV) and take control of your own happiness. EBWs exist!


EBW Role Models

Saana Lathan (what man wouldn't want
to date a woman like this?)

1. Josephine Baker
2. Tyra Banks
3. Angela Bassett
4. Garcelle Beauvais
5. Naomi Campbell
6. Diahann Carroll
7. Pat Cleveland
8. Angel Coulby (from Merlin)
9. Dorothy Dandridge
10. Viola Davis
11. Robin Givens
12. Lena Horne
13. Whitney Houston 
14. Iman
15. Janet Jackson
16. Beverly Johnson
17. Saana Lathan
18. Nia Long
19. Audra McDonald
20. Tia and Tamera Mowry
21. Thandie Newton
22. Michelle Obama
23. Paula Patton
24. Phylica Rashad
25. Diana Ross
26. Tracee Ellis-Ross
27. Sade
28. Zoe Saldana
29. Naomi Sims
30. Jordan Sparks
31. Gina Torres
32. Gabrielle Union
33. Lark Voorhees (as Lisa Turtle)
34. Kerry Washington
35. Rutina Wesley
36. Kelly Williams
37. Vanessa Williams

Tracee Ellis-Ross (natural hair, feminine
and fashionable wardrobe, portrayed as
an educated professional...EBW gold!)

So there are actually enough EBW role models out there for someone who needs one! I have collected photos of these women and others on Tumblr because it helps me to see feminine fashions, makeup, and demeanor in photos of women who look like me. By seeing Black women who appear to have the image I want my goal doesn't seem impossible or strange. Of course I do not know much about how these women behave in real life and there are some instances where their behaviour is questionable (e.g., Naomi Campbell's anger problem, Whiteny Houston's problems R.I.P.). But no one is perfect and I can just focus on their positive traits. Did you notice anything about the list? Well here's what I noticed...

Biracial 9/37 (some women may be missing from this category)

1. Angel Coulby
2. Lena Horne
3. Tia and Tamera Mowry
4. Paula Patton
5. Tracee Ellis-Ross
6. Sade
7. Zoe Saldana?  (Dominican and Puerto Rican)
8. Jordan Sparks
9. Vanessa Williams

Kerry Washington (some of the most
beautiful EBW photos I have depict this
woman. She knows how to wear a red
lip and look super elegant in public)

Not Born in the United States or not considered African American 8/37

1. Garcelle Beauvais
2. Naomi Campbell
3. Angel Coulby
4. Iman
5. Thandie Newton
6. Sade
7. Zoe Saldana 
8. Gina Torres (Cuban)

History of Interracial Dating or Marriage 21/37 (names may be missing from the list)

1. Josephine Baker*
2. Garcelle Beauvais
3. Naomi Campbell
4. Diahann Carroll*
5. Pat Cleveland
6. Dorothy Dandridge*
7. Robin Givens
8. Lena Horne*
9. Tamera Mowry
10. Iman
11. Janet Jackson
12. Audra McDonald
13. Thandie Newton
14. Paula Patton
15. Diana Ross
16. Zoe Saldana
17. Naomi Sims
18. Lark Voorhees
19. Kerry Washington
20. Rutina Wesley
21. Kelly Williams

*very interesting given the times
History of Interracial Relationship Film/Television Roles 22/37 (names may be missing. Based on my knowledge and This List)

Naomi Sims (dark skin is beautiful! Just look at
this photo!)

1. Tyra Banks
2. Angela Bassett
3. Naomi Campbell
4. Angel Coulby
5. Dorothy Dandridge
6. Robin Givens
7. Lena Horne
8. Whitney Houston
9. Beverly Johnson
10. Saana Lathan
11. Nia Long
12. Audra McDonald
13. Thandie Newton
14. Paula Patton
15. Diana Ross
16. Zoe Saldana
17. Gina Torres
18. Gabrielle Union
19. Lark Voorhees
20. Kerry Washington
21. Rutina Wesley
22. Vanessa Williams

Not Fitting in Any Category 3/37 (to my knowledge)

1. Viola Davis
2. Michelle Obama
3. Phylica Rashad

So what does this all mean? Well I guess some people would revoke "Black cards" from 34/37 of the women on my EBW list lol!