10 Times Shonda Rhimes Embodied #LifeGoals

[caption id="attachment_826703" align="aligncenter" width="1068"] Credit: Nicky Nelson/WENN.com[/caption] When it comes to #BlackGirlMagic and #GirlBoss, it's entertainment powerhouse Shonda Rhimes who comes to mind. This media juggernaut has not only staked a claim on an entire night of primetime programming (Thursdays on ABC), but she has also been an engaged and active citizen, making her voice heard when it matters most. So in honor of the 100th episode of her hit "Scandal," which airs tonight, MadameNoire salutes the one and only Shonda Rhimes with a collection of her most impressive  moments.

A post shared by Shonda Rhimes (@shondarhimes) on May 12, 2016 at 5:29pm PDT

Joining The National Board of Planned Parenthood

We kick things off with a recent Shonda headline. At a time when women's rights, reproductive and otherwise, seem under constant attack, Shonda Rhimes has stepped up to wield her influence for a good cause, joining the national board of Planned Parenthood. She recently told Elle: "The fact that I've never had to use a Planned Parenthood, the fact that I've never been in need of medical services I couldn't afford or didn't have access to, doesn't mean I shouldn't be concerned about the fact that other women don't have that access." Here's to hoping her presence can really make a difference.

A post shared by Shonda Rhimes (@shondarhimes) on Sep 15, 2016 at 6:28pm PDT

Becoming The First African American Woman To Produce A Top 10 Network Series

Shonda is the first African-American woman to create and produce a Top 10 series on network television. And while there is a part of us that's a bit horrified it took as long as it did for this title to be claimed, we couldn't be happier that this important distinction went to Shonda for her work on such shows as "Grey's Anatomy," "Scandal," and "How To Get Away With Murder." [caption id="attachment_826705" align="alignleft" width="500"] Credit: Wenn.com[/caption]

Standing Up To Problematic Actors

Maintaining peace on a busy set with enough egos to fill a football stadium isn't easy. And while some showrunners and producers might let notable actors beat them into submission, Shonda isn't having it. When problems began to surface with actress Katherine Heigl on "Grey's Anatomy," Shonda was not afraid to let her feelings known or to take action. After declining an Emmy nod because she felt her role wasn't strong enough, Heigl found herself on Shondaland's "Sh*t List" and was written off the series.

A post shared by Shonda Rhimes (@shondarhimes) on Apr 30, 2016 at 8:21pm PDT

Embracing and Celebrating Diversity of All Kinds On TV

Even as early as “Grey’s Anatomy,” Shonda Rhimes has made it her mission to reflect a strong sense of diversity and inclusion in her shows. From African-American leading women to the featuring of romantic storylines between gay men, Shondaland productions have aimed to show our world as it is, in all of its colorful, diverse glory. There's no doubt that Shonda has slowly but surely helped to change the media landscape for the better.

A post shared by Shonda Rhimes (@shondarhimes) on Sep 4, 2015 at 5:08pm PDT

Building An Entertainment Empire

The entertainment industry is a dog eat dog kind of world. Thousands of hopefuls send along scripts, headshots, reels and pitches with the dream of landing themselves the ultimate Hollywood gig. But only a fraction of them ever wrap their fingers around that brass ring. Particularly women and people of color have been markedly underrepresented in the industry, so it's even more of an impressive feat that Shonda has risen to the top of the industry in such a meteoric way. [caption id="attachment_826708" align="alignleft" width="500"] Credit: Brian To/WENN.com[/caption]

Standing Up For What's Right And For Jesse Williams

Following Jesse Williams' passionate speech about race and social injustice at the BET Awards in 2016, a petition to have him fired from his role on "Grey's Anatomy" surfaced. It didn't take long for Shonda to weigh in on the absurdity of the controversy, tweeting: "Um, people? Boo don't need a petition. #shondalandrules."

A post shared by Shonda Rhimes (@shondarhimes) on May 13, 2015 at 3:13pm PDT

Pushing Back Against Stereotypes

While Shonda certainly hasn't been shy about coming to the defense of others, she's also willing to speak her mind when personally attacked or offended. When The New York Times ran a profile on Shonda in which she was not only misidentified as the creator of "How To Get Away With Murder" (she serves as executive producer; Peter Norwalk is the creator), but the trope of "angry black woman" was referenced throughout the piece, Shonda immediately took to Twitter to express her frustration and disappointment at the Times' errors and questionable assessments. Even the lede of the story read: "When Shonda Rhimes writes her autobiography, it should be called 'How to Get Away With Being an Angry Black Woman.'"

A post shared by Shonda Rhimes (@shondarhimes) on Mar 24, 2016 at 7:43pm PDT

Slaying And Staying (Developing New Ideas, Shows)

Never one to rest on her laurels, Shonda is always conceptualizing and brainstorming the next project she wants to bring to life. Right now she's got a new period drama tentatively called "Still Star-Crossed" -- a continuation of Romeo and Juliet -- waiting in the wings. Shondaland also has an all-new legal drama, "The Mother Court" that received the thumbs up for a pilot from ABC. Always moving, always hustling, that's our kind of girl!

A post shared by Shonda Rhimes (@shondarhimes) on Oct 6, 2016 at 12:52pm PDT

Speaking Up For Feminism

Shonda Rhimes and Jenji Kohan joined forces at the 10th annual Global Women's Rights Awards in 2015 to celebrate the growing impact of women in our world. Shonda's stirring speech about the time when her assistant said she wished she could be a man for just one day was not only empowering and uplifting, but was a strong plea for equality. "... She wants everything in the world to be made for her, be about her and speak mostly to her. Because that’s how it is for men ... I don’t even want men wishing they could be women. I just want those words ‘all of that,’ to apply to all of us.”

A post shared by Shonda Rhimes (@shondarhimes) on Dec 6, 2016 at 1:48pm PST

Just Being The Ultimate #GirlBoss

The list goes on and on as to the reasons why Shonda Rhimes is such an incredible woman. But one of the biggest is simply that she epitomizes #GirlBoss. She is a woman proud of her femininity, but unwilling to let bias or inequality stand in her pursuit of professional excellence. She is an inspiration to scores of young women and a true icon.

The post 10 Times Shonda Rhimes Embodied #LifeGoals appeared first on MadameNoire.