No longer is the word “boss” strictly used to reference one’s higher up in the workplace. Pop culture has officially taken over the term as a nod to anyone making notable moves. Single mothers, college grads, entrepreneurs, corporate executives, politicians and others of the like are all deemed bosses in the new millennium. With their astounding résumés, the following celeb women have proven they too are worthy of the title. But what really ranks them as some of the bossiest of bosses is their dedication of time and resources to helping humanity. Take notes from these five famous boss women paying it forward.
Despite the supermodel, CEO, TV producer, two-time Emmy-winner, New York Times bestselling author and Harvard grad’s busy schedule, Tyra makes time to give back through her own foundation TZONE. TZONE, headquartered at the Lower East Side Girls Club in New York City, “invests in girls and young women to help them realize their ambitions, discover new possibilities within themselves, and approach life’s challenges with ï¬erce determination,” as shared in the mission statement. Every year, Tyra Banks hosts the Flawsome Ball where A-list celebrity guests and industry takstmakers celebrate and raise funds in support of TZONE’S initiatives.
Solange
Since her days as a backup dancer for Destiny’s Child, Solange has re-emerged as a solo star with many talents. In addition to singing, spearheading her own record label Saint Heron, and designing a line of funky sneakers through Puma, Solange is also an ambassador for 14+ Foundation. “14+ Foundation, Inc. is a NYC-based 501(c)(3) non-profit established… to develop, build and operate schools and orphanages in rural African communities,” according to the website. In a statement, Solange revealed,
“For the last few years I have worked closely on a number of projects that advance water aid, hunger, and education. These are the three things that I believe should be birth rights for every child, and should never, ever, be considered to be a privilege.”Tameka “Tiny” Harris
Tameka Harris, affectionately called “Tiny” by her adoring fans, was formerly part of girl group Xscape in R&B’s heyday and later penned songs like TLC’s “No Scrubs.” Now, the wife to super rapper T.I. and mother of six manages pop group Officially Miss Guided (O.M.G), has her own line of tequila, and stars in two VH1 series. On her family-based show, T.I. & The Family Hustle, fans watched Tiny’s father battle Alzheimer’s until he passed away in 2013. To increase support for those caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s and to raise awareness of the disease, Tiny and her mother Diane Cottle founded For the Love of Our Fathers in 2010. The foundation hosts various events and efforts to raise money and goods, which are donated to Alzheimer’s caregivers.
Angela Simmons
This hip-hop heiress has garnered her own fame aside from her father Rev. Run’s legacy. Angela Simmons is a fashion force as co-designer of popular clothing, accessory and shoe line PASTRY, and she most recently launched her own line Angela by Angela Simmons. When the stylista isn’t trendsetting, she dedicates much of her time to charitable causes. She, and co-founder Kerri Levine, started Girl Talk Take Over, a series of events hosted at various Boys and Girls Clubs to engage young girls in conversations and activities surrounding fitness, positive self-esteem, sex education, beauty and more. Simmons is also an ambassador for The Children’s Miracle Network.
Holly Robinson Peete
Holly Robinson Peete’s career spans over two decades. She was a favorite in sitcoms like Hanging with Mr. Cooper and Mike & Molly, and later co-hosted NBC’s The Talk. The actress and author is also an active philanthropist and founder of HollyRod Foundation. The foundation, created in 1997, was inspired by Holly’s father who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and her son who was diagnosed with Autism. HollyRod has made several partnerships with larger charities and companies to improve the lives of those impacted by the diseases. “Give the Gift a Voice” is one of many of the foundation’s initiatives that provides tablet computers and specially-designed apps to aid non-verbal or minimally verbal autistic persons with their communication.