Accomplishments of Black Women in Business of the Decade

From 2000 to 2009 Black Women in Biz Contributed Significantly

By Lahle Wolfe, About.com Guide

Between 2000 and 2009, black women made significant accomplishments and contributions to the business world. This list is meant to be all-inclusive, but here are some highlights of extraordinary African American achievements and business women of the decade.

First in African-American Business Women History

• 2003 - First African-American Female Billionaire: Sheila Crump Johnson became the first Black female billionaire in the United States, even before Oprah Winfrey became a billionaire. Johnson was also the first African-American woman to build a luxury hotel in the U.S.
• 2008 - First Bust of Black Woman in U.S. Capitol: In October 2008, the National Congress of Black Women, Inc. (NCBW) delivered the bust of Sojourner Truth to the U.S. Capitol. Sojourner Truth 1797 - November 26, 1883) was an African-American abolitionist and women's rights activist.

  Truth became the first Black woman to be honored with a bust in the U.S. Capitol. Her bust is located in the Portrait Monument along side Susan B. Anthony and others who worked for the right for women to vote and towards abolishing slavery.

• 2009 - First African-American Woman to Received Goncourt Prize: In 2009, Marie N'Diaye became the first black women to win France's top literary prize, the Goncourt Prize. In addition to her remarkable literary achievements, N'Diaye has been an outspoken critic of that she believes President Nicolas Sarkozy created an "atmosphere of a police state" in France.
• 2009 - First Black-Woman CEO: July 1, 2009, Ursula Burns became the first black woman CEO to head a FORTUNE 500 Company. Taking over the helm of Xerox, Burns joined the list of four other Black CEOs (all men) for 2009.
• 2009 - First Black-Woman Mayor in Utah: In November 2009, Mia Love was elected as the first Black mayor in Utah (Saratoga Springs, UT.)
• Oprah Winfrey The Most Frequent "List" Black Woman of the Decade: Oprah Gail Winfrey became the wealthiest African American of the 20th century. During 2000-2009 she remained one of the highest paid celebrities in business. The last episode of her famous talk show is scheduled for September 2011. Her final season will mark 25 years on the air.

  Throughout the decade Winfrey repeatedly appeared Forbe's Top 10 Most Powerful Women in the World, Most Powerful Celebrities, and Richest Women in the World lists. A few of the awards Winfrey received during the decade include: 2000: Television Producer of the Year (200); Bob Hope Humanitarian Award (2002); AAP Honors Award (2003); Global Humanitarian Action Award (2004); NAACP Hall of Fame (2005); National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Hall of Fame (2005); and Freedom Award (2005).

Impressive Growth Rate of Black Woman Business Owners

Black women started businesses at three-to-five times the rate of all other new businesses between 2006 and 2009.

According to the most recent survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau (2002 Survey of Business Owners) thirty five percent of all black women entrepreneurs own a business related to health care or social assistance. And, black business women significantly out-pace all other races of women and male business owners in the number of health care or social assistance businesses started and owned.

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy