TIME has come up with their annual list of the most influential people of 2014, and eight women of color made the cut for their exemplary work in entertainment, government, politics, activism and world leadership. Their work to date has been both incendiary and inspiring.
The great eight include superstar singer Beyonce, Rosemary Nyirumbe, who gave hope to young women scarred by war, Kerry Washington, who “projects strength amid scandal,” Thuli Madonsela who is South Africa’s “fearless public advocate,” icon tennis player Serena Williams, Ory Okolloh who helps “Africans exercise their power,” Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, described as the “guardian of Nigeria’s public funds,” and Ertharin Cousin, a “Chicagoan who helps feed the world.”
Each of the chosen had a forward written by various recognizable names, men and women who expressed their awe, admiration and acknowledgement of the great work put in by these amazons in their respective fields, including NBA superstar Dwyane Wade, Academy Award Winner Forest Whitaker, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Lamido Sanusi, former head of the Nigerian Central Bank and Bono.