World's Most Powerful Black Women 2009

Ursula Burns, is the fourteenth most powerful woman and most powerful black woman in the world according to Forbes magazine's annual ranking of The 100 Most Powerful Women in the world. Burns is the first black woman to head a Fortune 500 company. She became the CEO of Xerox Corporation which reported revenue of $17.6 billion in 2008 on July 1, 2009. She's also the first to succeed another woman, Anne Mulcahy, credited with turning the struggling company around. While Mulcahy focused on customer service and the bottom line, Burns saw to the day-to-day operations, helping to cut Xerox's workforce by nearly 40%. Burns joined the printing giant in 1980 as a mechanical engineering summer intern and partially credits her early success to Xerox's search for diversity in talent.

Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, M.D., M.B.A., president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 30th on this years list, is a national leader in transforming America’s health systems so people live healthier lives and receive the health care they need. The first woman and first African American to head the foundation, Lavizzo-Mourey oversaw the $7.5 billion endowment's largest single donation yet—$500 million toward combating childhood obesity. A practicing physician with business credentials and hands-on experience developing national health policy, she was drawn to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation by the opportunity, as she puts it, to “alter the trajectory and to push society to change for the better.”

Michelle Obama, #40 on the list made history along with husband, Barack Obama, becoming the first African-American family in the White House. The Harvard-trained lawyer and public servant from the south side of Chicago is a keen advocate of green initiatives and community service. Michelle planted a garden in the White House in April and rolled up her sleeves alongside Maria Shriver, the first lady of California, to help build a public playground at a San Francisco elementary school in June. Along the way, Michelle has avoided any major policy speeches, instead stating her first priority was to adjust to life in the White House. Michelle has garnered the most publicity for her fashion sense. A Web site is devoted to the designers she cultivates, and a book on the subject has already been written, Michelle Style: Celebrating the First Lady of Fashion by Mandi Norwood. 

Billionaire media queen, Oprah Winfrey who ranked No.36 last year is the 41st most powerful woman this year. Ms. Winfrey will debut her own network, OWN, with Discovery next year, slated to be seen in 70 million homes.

Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Africa's first female president, holds the No. 66 position same as last year. The Harvard-trained banker and administrator continues to take steps to reduce corruption, build support from international donors, and encourage private investment. Also promoting concept of United States of Africa, which she has stated is the dream envisioned by Africa's founding fathers.

The Forbes' Power Women list isn't based on celebrity or popularity; it's about influence. In assembling the list, Forbes looked for women who run countries, big companies or influential nonprofits. Their rankings are a combination of two scores: visibility--by press mentions--and the size of the organization or country these women lead. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is ranked the most power, for the fourth consecutive year.

SOURCE: forbes.com