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

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 (what man wouldn't want to date a woman like this?)
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 (natural hair, feminine and fashionable wardrobe, portrayed as an educated professional...EBW gold!)
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 (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)
35. Rutina Wesley
36. Kelly Williams
37. Vanessa Williams

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

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)

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!

EBW Tracee Ellis Ross Covers Uptown Magazine

Tracee Ellis Ross is one of my natural hair icons. She is the daughter of famous, classical EBW Diana Ross. Beautiful cover Ms. Ross :)

The Type of EBW I want to be

I've decided to review the type of woman I want to become so that I can check my progress and what I still need to work on. These are things that I want to achieve but of course I'm not expecting to be perfect. If I achieve these things then I will be the best woman I can be and my idea of an EBW. This is an ideal and not necessarily the ideal woman to anyone reading this blog. Anything with a star is something I haven't made enough progress with.

Appearance

• long, healthy, natural hair (my hair is bra-strap BSL length!)
• clear, toasty-brown skin all over* (I need to exfoliate more and always apply lotion or oil)
• healthy body weight and toned body* (want to lose a few pounds but I still look good)
• make-up that accentuates my features
• feminine fashion style (need to start wearing heels more often)
• good posture and feminine movement 
• smiling often (greatly improved)

Attitude and Behaviour

• Staying poised when under pressure
• Maintaining a positive mood and attitude (not too bad, greatly improved)
• Behaving like an EBW in public and private (improved)
• Not engaging in useless arguments online and offline (I have really improved!)
• Being a good friend  and daughter (need to make more friends too, improved as a daughter)
• Being a fun, joyful, nice, pleasant person (greatly improved)
• Toning down the sexiness (not bad)
• Being interesting to talk to (not bad)
• Helping others * (I help my friends with advice but I haven't been volunteering)

Hobbies and Interests

• healthy cooking * (need some good recipes)
• physical fitness and working out
• physical activities (e.g., pool, tennis, volley ball, golf)* 
• reading (need to do more pleasure reading instead of school related reading)
• self-improvement
• dinner parties *
• sewing and knitting *
• sketching and painting * (know how to but need to actually spend time doing)
• blogging (of course)
• dance lessons *
• learn massage * (another trick for my feminine arsenal)
• travel *
• socializing regularly* (the winter really killed my social life)

Romantic Relationships

• Starting a monogamous relationship * (I'm single)
• Getting married * (not even close)
• Having a baby *(again, not even close)

Career

• Graduate (almost there)
• Get a job in my field * (I have to start looking)
• Do the best job I can *

As you can see from this list, I have made a lot of progress on my journey to becoming an EBW! Most of the progress has involved changing the way I look, my attitude, and my behaviour. I am acting and looking very different from the way I was a few years ago. 

I am not worried about the improvements I need to make in my career because these goals will be achieved in the near future. I'm not even worried about them anymore. As you can see, my career goals do not include becoming the best, starting a company, or anything time-consuming like that. I'll be satisfied with the job, a husband, and kids. 

The areas where I need the most improvement are in my interests and romantic relationships. It may be possible that my interests and romantic relationships could actually intersect. I could take up some sports and meet someone in the process. I could go to dinner parties or out dancing and meet someone. I could also take in community events and meet someone. I just have to get out more and socialize and these things will be taken care of. The winter has really put a hold on some of these things, so I can't wait until the weather gets better. Some of the hobbies also require time and money and it was hard to find time and money while I was busy with school. So right now my priorities are doing what is necessary to graduate, finding a job, and going out and socializing. I'll wait until I earn some money before taking on some of the hobbies :)

Dorothy Dandridge, the Quintessential Elegant Black Woman

I have never actually seen one of Dorothy Dandridge's performances but I have watched the HBO docudrama, "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge" twice. It stars Halle Berry and I believe she won an award for her performance. Fortunately, I found some video tributes on YouTube! This woman is beautiful, graceful, refined, stylish, super feminine, delicate, elegant of course, and highly talented! Ladies, this is the quintessential EBW!

Modern Femininity: Zoe Saldana for Prestige Magazine

Zoe Saldana is on the cover of Prestige Magazine! Look at that dress...feminine and beautiful!

Walking the Walk of an EBW

I haven't posted in a while because my life has taken a pleasant turn. I recently moved back home to the city I love! I have taken the things that I have learned since starting this blog and I'm using them as much as possible.

So far things are going well. I'm dating and so far I have been treated like a true EBW (better than any of my previous dates)! I'm getting along well with my parents for once too. I just feel so happy that I'm back home and I'm getting in touch with my old friends. No arguing, pouting, or being negative. I'm just focusing on how great my present is and how much better it will become. I've also given up watching videos by Black men on Youtube because they made me too argumentative and angry and I have always dated interacially anyways so there is not point. I'm happy with who I like and I don't have to justify it to anyone.

Thanks to the good weather I can wear my feminine clothes, dresses, and skirts all the time instead of bulky winter clothes. I'm going to new places and I'm really open to new experiences. I even started wearing a bright red nail polish (at first I thought it was too much but I love it now...very hot and works well with my skin tone...some reds just don't). I'm getting compliments on my hair too. I'm also remembering to do my posture exercises and to have a pleasant expression on my face :)

So I'll try to think up a new blog post. But in the meantime, if you want to see a film with an elegant looking woman, check out The Tourist with Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp. She was always dressed like a lady and men (and even women) couldn't stop starring at her! Also, one of my favorite EBW's, Zoe Saldana is coming out with a new film called Columbiana that looks amazing so I can't wait to see that...perhaps on a date :)