Girl Power: Ten Powerful Black Women in Films and Television

From Olivia Pope to Cookie Lyon, these ladies kick butt.

Kerry Washington in Scandal - We're commemorating Women's History Month (March 1-31) by paying homage to some of the strongest, most complex, bada** icons portrayed in films and television. As Olivia Pope on Scandal, Kerry Washington plays the person most speed-dialed by D.C.'s power players when they're in trouble. The crisis fixer is calm under pressure and the most competent person in the Beltway — except when it comes to her personal life. Pope's relationship with President Grant is her Achille's Heel. (Photo: ABC)
Eat the Cookie Face - Sure, we should be thanking Lee Daniels for creating Cookie or even Taraji P. Henson for bringing this TV diamond to life on Empire, but Cookie made watching music on TV fun again.Plus, she makes current record-label executives seem just a little less crazy in comparison. We're kidding, guys! Kinda...(Photo: Chuck Hodes/Fox)
Viola Davis in How to Get Away With Murder - As Annalise Keating in ABC's How to Get Away With Murder, Viola Davis tackles a role like never before and owns it to perfection. The high power attorney and professor is sexy, scandalous and vulnerable, thanks to the vision of Shonda Rhimes.(Photo: Craig Sjodin/ABC)Gabirlle Union in Being Mary Jane - Having all the material possessions and career successes in the world can only do so much. Just ask Mary Jane Paul in Being Mary Jane. Gabrielle Union perfectly portrays the complexities of balancing work, family and love on the BET original series, all while looking flawless. She proves that a luxury-laced life probably isn't the most practical thing to aspire to have.(Photo: Daniel McFadden/BET Networks)

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Kerry Washington in Scandal - We're commemorating Women's History Month (March 1-31) by paying homage to some of the strongest, most complex, bada** icons portrayed in films and television. As Olivia Pope on Scandal, Kerry Washington plays the person most speed-dialed by D.C.'s power players when they're in trouble. The crisis fixer is calm under pressure and the most competent person in the Beltway — except when it comes to her personal life. Pope's relationship with President Grant is her Achille's Heel. (Photo: ABC)

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