I could not be prouder to bring you what I believe is a truly inspirational issue that celebrates women and the power we possess.

If you, like me, are concerned about the almost-daily accusations in the media of inequality, sexism and harassment, you will enjoy reading about women who have been through the fire and emerged as amazing examples of strength and courage.

One case in point is Queen of Hip-Hop Soul herself, Mary J. Blige, who graces our cover. Like a chameleon, she has transformed from Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter to double-Oscar nominee for her work in Mudbound. MJB relates to audiences very deeply on matters of love, heartbreak and redemption, with the ability to shape-shift from street savvy to Hollywood glam in a blink of an eye. As she makes Academy Awards history, we are overjoyed to have her be part of this women-centric issue.

We all know at least one woman who is a powerhouse and who has influenced our lives. Whether Black women are flexing their muscle at the polls as a voting bloc, helming films such as Ava DuVernay’s A Wrinkle in Time or dominating music charts, as in the case of artists Lil’ Kim, Beyoncé, Missy Elliott, Cardi B and SZA, we are making a difference in politics and pop culture like never before.

Finally, EBONY could not stay silent on the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace—especially since so many brave women have risked so much by speaking out. The #MeToo movement was started by sexual-violence-survivor-turned-activist Tarana Burke and has inspired women of all races, cultures and backgrounds to speak up about abuse. We profile two of them: Monica Townson, who had a lengthy career with the St. Louis Police Department, and Suzette Wright, who worked for Ford Motor Co. in Chicago. They share their experiences with EBONY with the hope of helping others who might be going through similar abuses.

We believe these women and their stories will enlighten, inspire and help. Enjoy!

—Linda Johnson Rice,
CEO of Ebony Media Operations