TV as we know it would not have happened without the women who’ve defined it, stirred it up, and made it unforgettable. From sitcom queens to first-ever executives, women have been breaking rules, rewriting stories, and providing us with stories—and giggles—that linger in our minds for a lifetime. Let’s take a journey through the history of TV and give a salute to 10 of the most iconic women who ever filled or led the small screen—numbered in reverse, because anticipation makes it that much more delicious.
10. Marla Gibbs – The Comedy Survivor
Marla Gibbs has been making us laugh for more than five decades, from the sharp-tongued Florence on The Jeffersons to lovable Pearl in 227. Her delivery, timing, and wicked sense of humor made supporting characters scene-stealing actresses. At 90, she was finally awarded her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame—a long-overdue recognition of a career founded on talent and perseverance.
9. Lawanda Page – The Scene-Stealer
As Sanford and Son’s Aunt Esther, Lawanda Page demonstrated that a good entrance can freeze a show in its tracks—best. Her sassy brawls with Redd Foxx are sitcom history. Interestingly, she was on the verge of losing the job before her first show, but Foxx defended her, and the rest is laughter history. Having a stand-up comedy background provided Esther with a snap that no one would ever forget.
8. The Golden Girls Cast – Power in Numbers
Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty did not merely act on The Golden Girls—they redefined what prime-time comedy could accomplish. Together, they taught the world that women over 50 could support a hit show with wit, warmth, and flawless comedic chemistry. Their cast is one of television’s best, showing that age does not impede greatness.
7. Lucille Ball – Comedy’s Groundbreaker
Before “girlboss” became a catch-all term, there was Lucy. With I Love Lucy, she established the gold standard for sitcoms, mixing physical comedy with impeccable timing. But Ball was more than a chuckle-machine—she and Desi Arnaz invented syndication and multi-camera shooting, innovations that continue to shape television today. In short, without Lucille Ball, TV comedy as we know it wouldn’t exist.
6. Carol Burnett – Variety’s First Lady
The Carol Burnett Show was not only a success—it was an institution of comedy. Burnett’s skill at becoming wacky characters without losing her warmth and humanness made her a role model for decades of entertainers. Her DNA as a sketch comic can be felt today in such disparate shows as SNL and late-night TV.
5. Isabel Sanford – Shattering Barriers with a Smile
As Louise “Weezy” Jefferson on The Jeffersons, Isabel Sanford exemplified poise, warmth, and impeccable comedic skills. In 1981, she was the first—and remains the only—Black woman to have received the Emmy for Best Lead Actress in a Comedy. Sanford’s achievement opened doors for Black women on television at a time when industry reform was crying out for it.
4. Diahann Carroll – A Star Who Redefined Representation
In 1968, Diahann Carroll broke new ground with Julia, a sitcom that made her the first Black woman with a non-stereotypical leading role. As a widowed mother and nurse, Carroll asserted dignity, depth, and poise in a trailblazing character. Her Emmy nomination and Golden Globe win weren’t achievements for her alone—they were milestones for representation on television.
3. Oprah Winfrey – Talk Show Royalty
Oprah didn’t only present a talk show—she revolutionized the form. With The Oprah Winfrey Show, she brokered tough topics, shattered cultural norms, and made television viewers feel understood. In addition to her on-screen success, she constructed a media empire, rising to the ranks of one of the most influential and powerful women in the history of entertainment. Oprah altered the possibilities for women on—and off—TV.
2. Mo Abudu – Africa’s Media Powerhouse
From oil executive to television mogul, Mo Abudu has transformed EbonyLife Media into a storytelling empire. She created the first syndicated daily talk show in Africa and has since collaborated with Netflix, Sony, and Universal to showcase African stories to the world. Dubbed “Africa’s Oprah,” Abudu is rewriting TV history by putting African voices at the forefront of the global stage.
1. Lucille Ball (The Executive) – The Studio Boss
Lucille Ball is worthy of two places on this list—because in addition to dominating comedy, she once again made history as the first woman to head a major television studio. Through Desilu Productions, she produced Star Trek and Mission: Impossible, two franchises that became a part of pop culture history. Ball demonstrated that women not only could star on TV, but could dominate the industry itself.
These women were not merely television players—they rewrote the game’s rules. They broke through glass ceilings, redefined expectations for audiences, and laid the groundwork for generations to follow. Sure, work remains to be done when it comes to equality both on and off screen, but one thing is sure: TV is wiser, funnier, and infinitely better because of them.