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Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o has been named among the 50 most powerful and influential women from across the continent by Forbes Magazine Africa.
The List that was released on Friday 13th March is aimed to celebrate women who are changing the status quo in the continent ranging from media personalities to business women, artists, and political leaders.
Ms Lupita was recognized for being a voice for women, especially black women and teaching them to live boldly despite of their skin color. When she won the Oscar for best supporting actress in 2014 for her performance in 12 Years a Slave, it inspired young girls to continue pursuing their dreams since they could also make it.
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Her book Sulwe that was inspired by Nyong'o’s childhood experiences, has become a New York Times best-seller.
There were only two Kenyans on the list; Lupita and Jennifer Riria, the Group CEO of Echo Network Africa and founding member of Kenya Women Finance Trust.
Mozambican politician and humanitarian Graca Machel, the widow of both former presidents of Mozambique and South Africa Samora Machel and Nelson Mandela made it to the list as well as Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
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This comes a few weeks after she bagged two awards at the 51st NAACP Image Awards that was held on Saturday 22nd February at Los Angeles.
Ms Lupita won the best actress award for her role in Jordan Peele’s horror movie 'US' and her book Sulwe which follows the story of a young girl who wishes for her dark skin to be lighter, won the Outstanding literary work for children.