She's Mother! Michelle Obama and Other Black Godmothers To the Culture

She's Mother! Michelle Obama and Other Black Godmothers To the Culture

Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey and Maya Angelou and more have been the surrogate moms for us all.

We may earn a commission from links on this page.
Start Slideshow
Image for article titled She's Mother! Michelle Obama and Other Black Godmothers To the Culture
Photo: Paras Griffin (Getty Images)

The phrase “She’s Mother,’’ has become a way in popular culture to bestow the highest respect on certain icons. And that’s what we plan to do for all those Black women who’s been a visible symbol of love and light for the culture. Although we all have mothers of our own, some women throughout history served as surrogate loving mentors for us all. Here’s mother...

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

2 / 17

Sojourner Truth

Sojourner Truth

Image for article titled She's Mother! Michelle Obama and Other Black Godmothers To the Culture
Photo: Bettmann / Contributor (Getty Images)

Sojourner Truth was an essential figure for Black people and all women, as she fought for women’s rights and was an abolitionist.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

3 / 17

Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman

Image for article titled She's Mother! Michelle Obama and Other Black Godmothers To the Culture
Photo: © CORBIS/Corbis (Getty Images)

Harriet Tubman is a legend. She helped several enslaved Africans reach freedom and fought for her own as well.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

4 / 17

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey

Image for article titled She's Mother! Michelle Obama and Other Black Godmothers To the Culture
Photo: Steve Jennings/Getty Images (Getty Images)

Oprah has has been a mother for so many people, including school girls in Africa and so many of us. Her impact is not quite as significant as Tubman or Truth, but Oprah was on everyone’s TV screen for a long while, as we watched her change people’s lives in almost every episode.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

5 / 17

Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou

Image for article titled She's Mother! Michelle Obama and Other Black Godmothers To the Culture
Photo: Jack Sotomayor/New York Times Co. (Getty Images)

A surrogate mom to Oprah, this iconic writer always shared her wise words to us, whether it was through her writing and poetry, or speaking to people directly.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

Beyoncé

Image for article titled She's Mother! Michelle Obama and Other Black Godmothers To the Culture
Photo: Kevin Winter (Getty Images)

Only a few artists who are currently still performing have reached icon status. Beyoncé is one of them. People worship this woman for the incredible music she makes and the amazing performances she puts on. But Beyonce is Mother, telling us to be proud of our brown skin.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

7 / 17

Nina Simone

Nina Simone

Image for article titled She's Mother! Michelle Obama and Other Black Godmothers To the Culture
Photo: Vernon Merritt III (Getty Images)

Imagine being one of the most incredible singers and activists of the 20th Century. That’s who Nina Simone was through her music and words.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

8 / 17

Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama

Image for article titled She's Mother! Michelle Obama and Other Black Godmothers To the Culture
Photo: MARTIN SYLVEST/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP (Getty Images)

The first Black woman to be the first First Lady of the White House. I don’t care what problems you have against Barack, Michelle always enacted programs to help the children of America.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

9 / 17

Angela Davis

Angela Davis

Image for article titled She's Mother! Michelle Obama and Other Black Godmothers To the Culture
Photo: Bettmann / Contributor (Getty Images)

Angela Davis is a professor, activist, author and so many other things. She has been fighting for the betterment of Black people going on 60 years.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

10 / 17

Coretta Scott King

Coretta Scott King

Image for article titled She's Mother! Michelle Obama and Other Black Godmothers To the Culture
Photo: Bettmann / Contributor (Getty Images)

Coretta Scott King was one of the smartest women of the Civil Rights Movement. She had to stay tremendously strong as the wife of Martin Luther King, Jr. and made sure she was always there to support him.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

11 / 17

Patti Labelle

Patti Labelle

Image for article titled She's Mother! Michelle Obama and Other Black Godmothers To the Culture
Photo: Erika Goldring (Getty Images)

I mean she’s called the “Godmother of Soul.” What else do I need to say?

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

12 / 17

Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks

Image for article titled She's Mother! Michelle Obama and Other Black Godmothers To the Culture
Photo: Bettmann / Contributor (Getty Images)

Rosa Parks was one of the most central figures of the civil rights movement. Her incredible courage and tenacity remind me of my own mother.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

13 / 17

Robin Roberts

Robin Roberts

Image for article titled She's Mother! Michelle Obama and Other Black Godmothers To the Culture
Photo: Lou Rocco/Disney General Entertainment Content (Getty Images)

Robin Roberts makes everyone feel comfortable even though we were watching her through a screen. Her comforting presence feels like we were watching our mom on TV every morning when we turned on Good Morning America.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

14 / 17

Mamie Till

Mamie Till

Image for article titled She's Mother! Michelle Obama and Other Black Godmothers To the Culture
Photo: Chicago Tribune file photo/Tribune News Service (Getty Images)

Mammie Till’s strength is what kickstarted the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement. Even though her son was horrifically murdered, she stayed strong and continued to fight so the same thing wouldn’t happen to future children.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

15 / 17

Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin

Image for article titled She's Mother! Michelle Obama and Other Black Godmothers To the Culture
Photo: David Redfern (iStock by Getty Images)

The “Queen of Soul” resonated with Black people around the world with her music. Her powerful voice and countless classic records will live on in Black History forever.

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

16 / 17

Phylicia Rashad

Phylicia Rashad

Image for article titled She's Mother! Michelle Obama and Other Black Godmothers To the Culture
Photo: NBC/NBCU Photo Bank (Getty Images)

Phylicia Rashad is always playing a mother in her roles. Whether it’s on Creed or The Cosby Show.

Advertisement