Single, sassy & successful sisters of 2004

Ebony, July, 2004

THEY are beautiful, independent and gifted. From an actress to a fitness expert to a singer and to the NAACP health director, these ladies make no apologies for knowing what they want in a man. These 28 singles--also including doctors, lawyers, teachers, entrepreneurs and executives, among others--want to find a Brother who is spiritually grounded, physically fit and emotionally ready for the woman who "has it all."

JEANETTE JENKINS, 28 HOLLYWOOD, CALIF.

The Hollywood Trainer system, created by fitness expert Jeanette Jenkins, has helped change the bodies of Queen Latifah, the NFL's Terrell Owens and countless others on the celebrity circuit. A grand prize winner on NBC's Fear Factor and a three-time Miss Galaxy Fitness Competition finalist, Jenkins seeks a mate who treats his body and his mind as a temple. Her ideal mate "always remembers to put God first."

DR. WILLARDA EDWARDS, EARLY 40s BALTIMORE

An internal medicine physician, Dr. Edwards is director of the health division for the NAACP. Her ideal mate is "a self-confident, kindred spirit who is ... supportive of me and my aspirations."

RIA SAHARA, 27 ANN ARBOR, MICH.

Sahara, a dental student at the University of Michigan, is a professional model and spokesperson with a passion for the theater, art and music. "I like old-fashioned men who value opening doors and family unity."

DOLCE, 23 BROOKLYN, N.Y.

After hitting the No. 1 mark on Billboard's CD Single Sales Chart with her hit, "Sorrow," Dolce is living up to her reputation as a "dance diva." The pre-med student, who juggles classes and recordings, says that her ideal mate is good-looking with a strong church background. "He should be ambitious and intelligent with a talent for making me laugh."

CHANTELL D. CHRISTOPHER, 36 NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CALIF.

Christopher, an actress in Tyler Perry's Madea's Class Reunion, tends to her online art gallery and modeling career when she's not on stage. Her soul mate is "a man after God's own heart, a hopeless romantic and a believer in family values."

TONYA PINKINS EARLY 40s NEW YORK CITY & LOS ANGELES

A spokesperson for women's rights and a Tony Award-winning actress, Pinkins is starring as Caroline in the Broadway production, Caroline, or Change. The mother of four and winner of the Oprah Magazine Chutpzah Award made headlines defending her right to co-parent her children. "If I had an ideal mate, I wouldn't be a strong, sexy, single woman. I know he is coming and he is profoundly spiritual, financially free and a tantric master."

ARMICKA MILLER, 28 NEWPORT NEWS, VA.

Miller, a pharmacist and clinical assistant professor, enjoys miniature golf, poetry and good music. The daughter of an evangelist, Miller says that her soul mate is down to earth, goal-oriented and intelligent.

DEBORAH OLIVIA BROWN, 31 CHICAGO

A TV news producer, model and actress, Brown seeks a handsome mate with a passion for his given profession and God. "He would be purpose-driven, financially stable and a leader."

* DR. ALICIA HOPKINS, 35 BOSSIER CITY, LA.

A proud Houston native, Hopkins is completing her residency as a family medicine physician. The multilingual physician, who speaks French and Spanish, enjoys water skiing, motorcycle riding and singing. "My ideal man must be respectful, dependable and honest."

SYRETHA LAMBERT, 44 CORAOPOLIS, PENN.

A flight attendant and model, Lambert likes to sit in front of the fireplace on cool summer nights. "To really capture my heart, a man has to be romantic, health-conscious and family-oriented."

* LYNELL JONES, 32 COPPELL, TEXAS

As a brand manager for Pro-Line International, Jones enjoys dancing, traveling and entertaining friends. "My ideal mate is trustworthy, ambitious, spontaneous, well-traveled and family-oriented."

SHELITA BURKS, 23 RESTON, VA.

At 5-foot-11, Burks is a model, basketball referee and former Division 1 basketball player. A specialist for the United States Department of Interior, she seeks a trustworthy mate who knows how to treat a lady with decency and respect.

* CHINYERE STINSON, 33 CHARLOTTE, N.C.

Stinson, a well-traveled marketing manager, enjoys gardening, exercising and horseback riding. The man who captures her heart is spiritually centered, 6-feet-tall or taller, and shares a love for the outdoors.

TAMEKA MIERELLE WOMACK, 26 PISCATAWAY, N.J.

Womack, a project engineer, is an international traveler and author of the romance novel, Release. She seeks a Christian man who is ambitious, respectful and financially independent.

DR. MYRNA V. DARTSON AND DR. MICAELA V. DARTSON, 38 DALLAS

These identical twin doctors share a love for music. Myrna, a licensed psychologist and college professor loves singing and playing piano and seeks a well-educated and articulate man to share her dreams. Micaela, a podiatrist and biology professor who plays piano and guitar, seeks a non-smoking, physically fit Christian who loves music.

DEANNA ALLEN, 30 BLACKLICK, OHIO

Allen, a seventh-grade reading and language arts teacher, enjoys working out, listening to jazz and traveling. Her soul mate is "physically fit, professional, financially secure and God-fearing."