For decades, Essence magazine has been lifting black women up with a variety of enriching content that ranges from fashion and beauty to politics and education.
But for the first time ever, the publication is honoring influencers, including Georgians Mary-Pat Hector and Stacey Abrams, with its "Woke 100 Women" feature.
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The inaugural list, released earlier this month, highlights artists, leaders and executives “blazing trails for equal rights and inclusion for Black people in America.”
The Peach State ladies are among a “dynamic” group that includes journalist Joy-Ann Reid, writer and producer Shonda Rhimes and Trayvon Martin’s mother Sybrina Fulton.
Hector, a Spelman College sophomore, is being recognized for being the youngest woman to ever have been eligible to run for elected office in Georgia at age 19.
And Abrams, Georgia’s House minority leader, is being saluted for her Building Leaders and Uplifting the Electorate Institute, an organization that helps young people of color engage in and better understand politics.
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Thrilled to be celebrated, both took to social media to express their gratitude.
"Humbled to be honored with so many trailblazing Black women leaders on @essence's #Woke100 list. Thank you," Abrams said on Twitter.
Hector shared her sentiments, tweeting, “Thank you Essence for honoring me...”
Want to find out who else made the cut? Check out the full list in Essence's May issue on stands now.
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