This year, OkayAfrica selected 12 themes for each month to cover in 2017. In conjunction with our theme, "Black Girls Only," during Women's History Month (March), we are celebrating black women who are making waves, shattering ceilings, and uplifting their communities. For the first time this year (and hopefully every year hereafter) we honor a selection of them as OkayAfrica's 100 Women.

We feel it's our duty to share at least 100 dope women who hail from the continent and the diaspora with you. Since we have the amazing privilege of calling brilliant African women our family, friends, mentors, idols and seestahs—it's only right to present this amazing collective of Champions, Visionaries, Innovators, Pioneers and Creators.

Compiling this list was no easy feat. We took into consideration recommendations from our ever-growing network and nominations from our audience to bring you a combination of bonafide leaders and up-and-comers who are game-changers in their respective fields.

Representation by country and social impact were also key factors, including how well these women use their resources to help other women. All of these individuals are beacons in their communities. All of these ladies are fearless, unapologetic and driven.

We gathered as African women who worked tirelessly on this list. After months of researching, learning, intense debating and listening, our hope is that you feel as empowered by and proud of the women profiled here as we do.

OkayAfrica's 100 Women is for us, by us—and this is just the beginning.

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