INSPIRING WOMEN | Shonda Rhimes

Shonda Rhimes is one of Holllywood’s most powerful women today.  She went from being a single mother writing at home to becoming a powerhouse with three successful TV shows on ABC; Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice and Scandal.  Rhimes has said that she always knew she wanted to rule the world through television.  She’s always been a story-teller since childhood.  She grew up in the Chicago area and graduated with a degree in English Literature.  Her big break came when she wrote the screenplay for 1999’s HBO film Introducing Dorothy Dandridge, which starred Halle Berry.

Grey’s Anatomy has become a show that’s ingrained in television pop culture with memorable characters like ‘Dr. McDreamy’ and ‘McSteamy’.  The show has become a part of its audiences lives so much that Rhimes finds herself at odds with fans who write in about character and story-line changes they don’t agree with.  The creation of Private Practice proved to be a good move because it has become hugely successful also.

Now with her latest creation, Scandal, starring Kerry Washington, the viewers are held at the edge of their seats week after week as its lead character tries to ‘fix’ things.

Rhimes’s story is amazing not only because she’s a single mother but she has made history as the first ever Black woman to create and executive produce a prime time drama on network television.  Her success is truly inspiring.

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