How does one define strength? One who hits the gym on the regular might be described as strong. However, true strength is what’s inside of you. The trait that sets you apart for everyone else. In Hollywood, an actress can be as timid and shy as they come but when the director yells “action” they morph into someone else. For women, strength is just a natural trait.

A director can pull something out of a person they never knew was there to begin with. But still, that actress has to know that she can take a character and words on paper and transform it into something special. African-American women in Hollywood regularly have to fight harder than men in the business and for that, they channel a certain inner-strength that Hollywood has embraced over the last few decades.

Della Reese (Tess-Touched By An Angel)

What made Touched By An Angel so appealing is that it was completely different than what we were used to on TV. Della Resse portrayed Tess who played the role of a caseworker/supervisor for Monica but also came across as a mother-figure. Tess was stubborn, blunt at times, and hard to deal with. But it was all for the betterment of Monica.

A strong-willed character was what Tess brought back to TV with more African-American women heading more into the direction of comedic roles. While she didn’t start the trend Della Resse carried the torch form those before her.

Gabriele Union (Mary Jane-Being Mary Jane)

In a society where a woman is told she’s as good as the man she marries, Mary Jane wanted no part of that. Was she open to dating? Yes, but she understood her independence and what it meant not only for her but the generation who watched her closely. As she grew, the people around her changed but were they doing so for the better?

Mary Jane was a smart, sophisticated, and a well-kept woman who played by her won rules. but love is one heck of a drug that will humble even the cockiest of people.

Gina Torress (Jessica Pearson-Suits)

Seeing a female lawyer was nothing new. However, watching Gina Torres portray the powerful Jessica Pearson was a thing of beauty. While Suits did not offer the image of too many African American lawyers, the two major ones were the bosses. While the storylines focused more on the exploits of Mike and Harvey, it was still Jessica they answered to.

She ruled with an iron fist but her loyalty to those in her firm proved how strong she was. She protected Mike when she didn’t have to and even lost her firm because of it. Watching Jessica in action was the equivalent of seeing your mom take the lead in your household.

Debbie Allen (Lydia Grant-Fame)

Lydia Grant wanted her students to be the best possible version of themselves. Fame was about hard work and dedication and while Grant made her mistakes and may have pushed too hard at times, she understood what had to be done in order to stay at the top of their craft day in and day out.

The role of a teacher is to guide young minds but Grant had an extra duty. The School of Performing Arts was training bodies and work ethics which took its toll on both the teachers and students. Grant let us know that there were people out there who did indeed have concerns about what the younger generation did with their lives.

Sonja Sohn (Kima Greggs-The Wire)

In a profession dominated by men, Kima more than held her own. The Wire centered around the toughest neighborhood in Baltimore which often put the officers at risk on regular assignments and while undercover. On the streets, she held the same respect that her male counterparts did. Kima was all business and didn’t let anyone off the hook except for her C.I., Bubbles.

Her personal life didn’t lead to many distractions even while she was going through breakups and dealing with a child. She hung out with the guys and even talked like them. Kima Greggs was just strong in evet sense of the word.

Chandra Wilson (Miranda Bailey-Grey’s Anatomy)

If Grey’s Anatomy is known for one thing, that’s a strong cast. While the drama is centered around Meredith Grey, it’s often Miranda Bailey that will steal a scene. There would be no Meredith, Alex, Izzie or Christina if it wasn’t for the teaching that Bailey provided.

Even as the Chief, Miranda had to deal with challenges that evaded Webber when he was in charge. The close demise of her marriage to Ben. The loss of their baby and her heart attack had fans praying and weeping. All we wanted was Baliey back to being that strong character we fell in love with since Season One.

When movie stars hit the small screen, we often wonder how they will adapt. Well, Taraji P. Henson did not disappoint. Her character Cookie Lyon was as strong as they come. After spending 17 years in prison for taking the charge for her husband Lucious, Cookie came out a take over to the world, the music industry, and her kids.

As she made mistake after mistake, fans of Empire still cheered for her to come out on top. How could we not? What she stood for was a wife and mother who wanted her family whole again. The struggles she encountered would have knocked the averaged person down but Cookie is not your average female.

Diahnne Carroll (Dominique Deveraux-Dynasty)

Was primetime TV ready for a character like Dominique Deveraux? In all likeliness, no. Dynasty set a trend that spoke volumes to Hollywood as to where black actresses were headed. Deveraux rivaled the great character Alexis Colby (Joan Collins) as ladies with strong personalities.

But it was Deveraux who broke the color barrier on television. No more maid roles, Carol became a star. Her character broke racial barriers as it was later revealed that she was the half-sister of Blake Carrington. Sassy, smart, and beautiful, Deveraux opened doors that remain open for black actresses and networks.

Viola Davis (Annalise Keating-How To Get Away With Murder)

A powerful layer teaches law to a bunch of eager to learn students. Then in one night, their lives are changed forever. After a murder is committed, Annalise Keating takes five students under her wing tighter than what she intended to in the beginning. While loved, many are still on the fence concerning her loyalty and desires.

Does Annalise have the best interest for her students or is she doing things to save herself while setting them all up for the ultimate fall? Keating is a true definition of a woman in power. Think about it, she took on the Supreme Court and won.

Kerry Washington (Olivia Pope-Scandal)

Despite what fans of Scandal think, Olivia Pope actually ran the country. Caught in an affair with the President, no one knew the tough decisions that were made behind closed doors. While Fitz appeared to be in control, it was actually Liv who was pulling the strings.

Pope was a strong character, and despite the hits, she took from the black community for dating a white man, she was proof that women do in fact run the world. We cheered for her and against her, sometimes all in the same episode. That’s how strong of a character she was.