Flying always affords me an opportunity to catch up on my magazine reading.
During my flight on Wednesday to
The special collector's edition of the magazine has eight different covers and features "The 25 Coolest Brothers of All Time."
Inside the issue, there was a great article about "The Women of Gospel." I'm always excited when mainstream outlets recognize the gospel music industry in a significant way.
Unfortunately, as much as I loved the article, I have to admit that I was a bit surprised realizing that a story recognizing "women running the business of gospel music" left out one of the industry's hardest working woman -- Vickie Winans!
Not to take anything away from the women actually featured on the list, which include Vicki Mack Lataillade, Mary Mary, Yolanda Adams, CeCe W 
inans, The Clark Sisters, Shirley Caesar, Dottie Peoples, Albertina Walker, Dorothy Norwood, the late Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, Teresa Hairston, Demetrius Alexander-Stewart and Tara Griggs MaGee.
They've all earned their respective place on it!
But not including Winans on a list of female power players is like omitting Tyra Banks from a list of models that have expanded beyond fashion.
There are a half dozen or so other female power movers in the gospel industry that some could argue were overlooked.
(Ladies like Veda Brown (Black Gospel Promo), Prophetess Juanita Bynum, Lisa Collins ('Gospel Industry Roundup'), Jackie Patillo (Zomba Gospel), Tramaine Hawkins, Neily Dickerson (The nd. Company), Melanie Clark (Gospelflava.com), Vanessa Bell Armstrong and Melanie Few (Results Inc.) all come to mind.)
But not including Winans, in my opinion, is a glaring oversight!
The 53 
-year-old
She's called the "Hardest Working Woman in Gospel" because not only does Winans sing, but she manages herself, does her own bookings, routes her own tours, negotiates lucrative endorsement deals, runs a record label and markets products and merchandising to enhance her brand.
In addition to her countless Stellar Awards, Grammy nominations and numerous other accolades for her music; Winans has recorded comedy CDs, workout videos and has co-directed and financed her own music videos.
And I am sure the 'We Shall Behold Him' singer is not sitting anywhere worrying about what I hope was an accidental snub. I doubt that very seriously!
Because if you know anything about Winans, you understand that she was s
omewhere shipping off a contract or closing a deal with an automotive company to sponsor her next tour.
In actuality, she's really the type to start her own magazine and create her own list just because she can.
So I applaud 'Ebony' for stepping outside the box and showcasing gospel in this issue, but I hope the next go around a faux pas like this one will not happen again.
******
VIDEO: Watch this vintage clip of Vickie Winans singing 'I Must Tell Jesus'
Gospel on Black Voices
TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY MJ SMITH - A pastor leads a gospel choir at a church service at the Oasis of Life Family Church on July 6, 2008 in Daveyton, Johannesburg. As the church crowd shuffles in, a singer in a sharp beige suit jumps and raises his fist, belting out praise to the Lord in perfect key while a 30-strong choir lifts their voices behind him. AFP PHOTO / LIONEL HEALING (Photo credit should read LIONEL HEALING/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY MJ SMITH - A gospel choir sings at a church service at the Oasis of Life Family Church on July 6, 2008 in Daveyton, Johannesburg. As the church crowd shuffles in, a singer in a sharp beige suit jumps and raises his fist, belting out praise to the Lord in perfect key while a 30-strong choir lifts their voices behind him. AFP PHOTO / LIONEL HEALING (Photo credit should read LIONEL HEALING/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY MJ SMITH - A gospel singer performs on a stage at a church service at the Oasis of Life Family Church on July 6, 2008 in Daveyton, Johannesburg. As the church crowd shuffles in, a singer in a sharp beige suit jumps and raises his fist, belting out praise to the Lord in perfect key while a 30-strong choir lifts their voices behind him. AFP PHOTO / LIONEL HEALING (Photo credit should read LIONEL HEALING/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY MJ SMITH - A congregation member raises a clenched fist as a gospel choir sings at a church service at the Oasis of Life Family Church on July 6, 2008 in Daveyton, Johannesburg. As the church crowd shuffles in, a singer in a sharp beige suit jumps and raises his fist, belting out praise to the Lord in perfect key while a 30-strong choir lifts their voices behind him. AFP PHOTO / LIONEL HEALING (Photo credit should read LIONEL HEALING/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY MJ SMITH - Members of a gospel choir sing at a church service at the Oasis of Life Family Church on July 6, 2008 in Daveyton, Johannesburg. As the church crowd shuffles in, a singer in a sharp beige suit jumps and raises his fist, belting out praise to the Lord in perfect key while a 30-strong choir lifts their voices behind him. AFP PHOTO / LIONEL HEALING (Photo credit should read LIONEL HEALING/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY MJ SMITH - Members of a gospel choir dance at a church service at the Oasis of Life Family Church on July 6, 2008 in Daveyton, Johannesburg. As the church crowd shuffles in, a singer in a sharp beige suit jumps and raises his fist, belting out praise to the Lord in perfect key while a 30-strong choir lifts their voices behind him. AFP PHOTO / LIONEL HEALING (Photo credit should read LIONEL HEALING/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY MJ SMITH -A member of a gospel choir sings at a church service at the Oasis of Life Family Church on July 6, 2008 in Daveyton, Johannesburg. As the church crowd shuffles in, a singer in a sharp beige suit jumps and raises his fist, belting out praise to the Lord in perfect key while a 30-strong choir lifts their voices behind him. AFP PHOTO / LIONEL HEALING (Photo credit should read LIONEL HEALING/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
(FILES) Former South African president and Nobel peace prize laureate Nelson Mandela (C) poses on March 26, 2008 with the Soweto Gospel Choir in the Mandela foundation in Johannesburg. President George W. Bush has removed former South African president Nelson Mandela and his African National Congress from the US terror watch list, the White House said on July 1, 2008. The bill was sent to the White House last week and signed in time for the anti-apartheid leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner's 90th birthday on July 18.. "Today the United States moved closer at last to removing the great shame of dishonoring this great leader by including him on our government's terror watch list," Senator John Kerry said after the bill was approved Friday. AFP PHOTO/GIANLUIGI GUERCIA (Photo credit should read GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Members of the Anglican Communion attend a session on the last day of the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) in Jerusalem June 29, 2008. Conservative Anglican leaders ended a rebel summit on Sunday without formally breaking away from a global Anglican Communion which they said included churches preaching a "false gospel" of immoral sexual behaviour. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun (JERUSALEM)
Reuters
Members of the Anglican Communion attend a session on the last day of the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) in Jerusalem June 29, 2008. Conservative Anglican leaders ended a rebel summit on Sunday without formally breaking away from a global Anglican Communion which they said included churches preaching a "false gospel" of immoral sexual behaviour. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun (JERUSALEM)
Reuters
Comments: (65)
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By: Shirelle on 7/11/2008 5:07PM
I wholeheartedly agree.
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By: scanrr on 7/12/2008 4:58AM
Ms. Winans is an awesome lady.
To add to what the article stated, she has raised I don't know how much money for:
"Feed The Children"
I pray that this was an oversight. Further more, I believe she would rather receive her rewards in heaven than here on earth.
Keep on Sis. Winans, let the Lord use you as he will.
God Bless!
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By: Tye Williams on 7/12/2008 10:35PM
WOW!!!! Is all I can say..How can you forget Vickie!!! But the gospel industry seems to look over her alot anyway, but she is still THE BEST!!!!! WE LOVE YOU VICKIE!!!!!!
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By: Tye Williams on 7/12/2008 10:33PM
I LOVE the last 3paragraphs..that is really how Vickie is! Gotta love her..I agree..Veda, Vanessa, TREMAINE..WoW..who was in charge of the ebony article?????
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By: Rena on 7/12/2008 1:38AM
I totally agree! I picked up the magazine just knowing that I would see Vickie up here....cause she is one of the most recognizable faces in Gospel. As a Matter of fact......didn't she sing at Mr. Johnson's funeral...The creator of Ebony Magazine????????? Wow.
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By: Andrea on 7/12/2008 3:34AM
This was a terrible oversight. If ever there were a voice annointed by the spirit, it's Vickie's. I'm hoping that this oversight occurred, because she was one of the pioneers of Gospel music and was mistakenly forgotten. I have followed her music, since I can remember. "King Jesus" is just one of many morning inspirational songs from this artist. If an Ebony correspondent is reading or will read these postings, I surely hope that an insert can serve as an addition to the original posting. THIS VOICE MUST NOT BE FORGOTTEN OR OVERLOOKED. IT'S ANNOINTED!
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By: BDavis on 7/12/2008 10:20AM
Let's hope Ebony is planning a "cover story"
on Vickie Winans. I've seen her perform -
she's anointed and talented!
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By: Tamera on 7/12/2008 11:45AM
I totally agree, i think Ebony is losing it anyways i haven't picked up an ebony magazine in so long, Me myself Sister to sister Magazine gives people the props they deserve and they keep Vickie in it, so Ebony will lose out on the blessing of having Miss. Vickie Winans in it, The Clark Sisters are not even business women in the gospel industry i mean they are legends but they pay people to run their business Vickie runs her own so again Ebony has made a big mistake
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By: IPress on 7/12/2008 11:41AM
You know, when I first saw her, I didn't care too much for her.... I thought she was outlandish, and over the top... but the more I see her perform, the more I know that, that is her... that is her personality, and she is annointed, and it radiates through her in song, and in her whole persona. I totally misjudged her. She is extremely talented.
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By: Paula Loeb on 9/26/2008 9:41PM
It is apparent that Ebony Magazine INTENDED to entitle their article, "The Women of Gospel - PART ONE." That is the ONLY way they can redeem themselves after running that inadequately-researched article.......RIGHT?
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