In 2009, stories that shaped the images of black women ran the gamut. From the awe-inspiring to the unbelievable, from ridiculous to riveting here are a dozen stories that definitely got our attention. So without further ado here’s our countdown:

#12: Black Girls Gone Wild….(aka “Ridiculous! Girls, I Mean Women Gone Wild, Oakland Style” June 2009 Read the full story

Yesterday afternoon, when I heard a news report that an independent government panel has suggested that breast cancer screening guidelines should be dramatically altered I was dumbfounded. But according to The Washington Post Diana B. Pettiti, vice chairman of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and her colleagues are standing by their findings—which will be published today in The Annals of Internal Medicine. This task force believes that women should no longer have annual mammograms starting at age 40. Instead they should wait a full decade and start at 50 then do them every other year. Sounds to me like insurance lobbyists influenced these findings—that’s the only way I can explain this crazy suggestion (which the American Cancer Society, The American College of Radiology and other oppose). Now most of you know that when it comes to medical research, findings and recommendations change as often as the weather. But this dramatic departure seems potentially dangerous—especially to sisters. Read the full story

I am in control. This was my daily mantra. Now, it’s my security blanket, the belief that keeps me going every day. Let me be honest – I am a super duper control freak. More like a control freak on steroids. I was an overachiever and workaholic in every way. Don’t get me wrong – it all paid off. My career was in high gear; I was earning more than I ever thought possible. I never really got the hang of living a balanced lifestyle. Who had the time? I just knew everything would work out to my advantage. Boy, was I wrong. Read the full story

Female business owners are the new economy! I want to highlight women who are taking risks, being smart, and starting their own companies. I’m sure most of you Black Girl Site readers know one or could be one yourself! Send me your pitch for the most outstanding female business owner you know and I will choose the best to highlight here on my Pride Roll blog. Email all suggestions to: womenworkingit@gmail.com

Qualifications for potential women (not all are necessary):

1. Currently in process of starting a business, can be a full-time or part-time gig (we all know how those side-jobs are keys to survival!)
2. Already started business and has been running it for some time
3. Provides an interesting service (can be corporate, consulting, lifestyle product, communications, new invention, etc.)
4. Is available to be interviewed by me
5. Website for business is a plus

Thank you! And cheers to the entrepreneurial spirit in us all!

I love color! Unfortunately my hair doesn’t. Well technically, I know it used to hate color when I relaxed it, but I haven’t tried color since I’ve become 100% texturized and I’m looking forward to it.

My hair has always been fine. When I was in college my hair stylist suggested color to bulk it up by opening the hair shaft and depositing color. I didn’t quite understand then what he meant, but I went for it. Read the full story

File this under the sad but true category. A recent study conducted by The University of Michigan reveals that minority women with breast cancer know far less about their treatment options and survival rates than white woman. That, of course, is not the reason we are more likely to die from the disease. But seriously, we’re not helping ourselves here. Read the full story

Girlfriends became collateral damage when the writer’s strike came to an end. The CW announced that it would only concentrate its resources on shows slated to return for another season. We secretly knew Girlfriends had already run out of steam a couple of years ago. But it still could have gone out on a high note at the end of last season with Joan’s long-awaited marriage proposal. Creator Mara Brock Akil and most of the cast chose to soldier on anyway perhaps because of the absence of successful or middle-class black women in series television. I am talking about sisters who play roles beyond the occasional doctor, cop, maid or the ever-popular goldigger. Read the full story