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Feb 1, 2022 · Learn about these trailblazing Black women in history including luminaries like Kamala Harris, Maya Angelou, Michelle Obama, Aretha Franklin and Rosa Parks.
- Jone Johnson Lewis
- Marian Anderson (Feb. 27, 1897–April 8, 1993) Contralto Marian Anderson is considered one of the most important singers of the 20th century. Known for her impressive three-octave vocal range, she performed widely in the U.S. and Europe, beginning in the 1920s.
- Mary McLeod Bethune (July 10, 1875–May 18, 1955) Mary McLeod Bethune was an African American educator and civil rights leader best known for her work co-founding the Bethune-Cookman University in Florida.
- Shirley Chisholm (Nov. 30, 1924–Jan. 1, 2005) Shirley Chisholm is best known for her 1972 bid to win the Democratic presidential nomination; she was the first Black woman to make this attempt in a major political party.
- Althea Gibson (Aug. 25, 1927–Sept. 28, 2003) Althea Gibson started playing tennis as a child in New York City, winning her first tennis tournament at age 15.
Dec 30, 2021 · By John Harrington. PUBLISHED: December 30, 2021 at 11:10 a.m. | UPDATED: December 30, 2021 at 4:10 p.m. 36 Black women who changed American history | The stories of all these women point...
- Rosa Parks. Best known for her refusal to leave her seat for a white passenger on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks sparked a citywide boycott of buses that led to a law desegregating buses across the nation.
- Marjorie Joyner. Marjorie was a beauty salon owner, who changed the game of hair styling when she invented the “permanent wave machine.” Her perm machine simplified the process of straightening and curling hair for all women; it allowed women to achieve a long-lasting style without the hassle of heating up numerous rods in an oven.
- Mary Kenner. Mary received five patents in her lifetime for household items including the sanitary belt (maxi pads), the bathroom tissue holder, a back washer that mounted on the wall of the shower and the carrier attachment on walkers for disabled people.
- Ruane Jeter. Ruane was most notably the inventor of the toaster, but along with the help of Sheila Lynn Jeter, they created many items of stationery. This included sheathed scissors, the stapler, a staple remover and many multi-purpose office supplies.
Aug 29, 2022 · A Smithsonian magazine special report. At the Smithsonian | August 29, 2022. These Black Women Changed America. Thirty years ago, photographer Brian Lanker made indelible images of...
- Lucia Cheng
Dec 7, 2021 · John Harrington. Published: December 7, 2021 3:00 pm. To compile a list of 33 Black women who have changed American history, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed a set of images of...
Feb 25, 2021 · While these women accomplished remarkable things, they were also remarkable for their humanity — for simply surviving despite unrelenting oppression. By learning about their experiences, we can gain new perspectives to understand and celebrate the role of Black women throughout America’s existence.
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