Search results
Dorothy Johnson Vaughan. Born: September 20, 1910. Died: November 10, 2008. Occupation: NASA mathematician. Dorothy Vaughan's mathematical mind helped pave the way to launch satellites into space. Photo courtesy of NASA. Known as a “human computer,” Dorothy Johnson Vaughan was part of a team that did mathematical calculations to help launch ...
- Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968) was a pivotal leader in the American Civil Rights Movement. He continues to be celebrated for his profound influence in advocating for nonviolent resistance and racial equality.
- Harriet Tubman (1822-1913) An abolitionist and political activist, Harriet Tubman is best known for helping enslaved people escape through the Underground Railroad.
- Barack Obama (b. 1961) ADVERTISEMENT. Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States, made history as the first Black American to hold the office.
- Maya Angelou (1928-2014) Maya Angelou was an influential poet, singer, memoirist, and civil rights activist, celebrated for her series of seven autobiographies.
- And Some Free Classroom Resources For Your Instruction
- George Washington Carver
- Percy Julian
- Mae Carol Jemison
- Katherine Johnson
- Gladys West
- Marie M. Daly
- Edward Bouchet
- Annie Easley
- Walter Lincoln Hawkins
Helping your students see the possibilities of careers in STEM fields means providing them with diverse role models. Black History Month provides teachers with an opportunity to feature the stories and voices of black scientists, engineers and mathematicians in the context of their science instruction. We have made a list of some of the top Black s...
1860s – January 5, 1943 Field: Botanist, Inventor and Teacher Known for: Born into slavery, George Washington Carver became a foremost botanist, inventor and teacher. He invented over 300 uses for the peanut and developed methods to prevent soil depletion. He was made a member British Royal Society of Arts — a rare honor for an American – and advis...
1899–1975 Field: Civil Rights Activist, Medical Professional, Scientist, Chemist, Academic Known for: Percy Julian was a research chemist and pioneer in the chemical synthesis of medicinal drugs from plants, such as cortisone, steroids and birth control pills. He was inducted into the National Academy of the Sciences, National Inventors Hall of Fam...
October 17, 1956 -- Field: Engineer, Physician and NASA astronaut Known for: American engineer, physician and NASA astronaut, Mae Carol Jemison became the first African American woman to travel in space when she went into orbit aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour on September 12, 1992. Resource: The Secret Life of Scientists & Engineers | Mae Jemiso...
August 26, 1918 – Field: Mathematician Known for: Katherine Johnson is best known for her major contributions to the United States' aeronautics and space programs with the early application of digital electronic computers. Her work was recently recognized and featured in the movie Hidden Figures. Resource: Katherine Johnson | NASA Computer | Video ...
1930 -- Field: Mathematician Known for:Born and raised in Virginia, Gladys West leveraged her mathematical and programming expertise to invent an accurate model of the Earth which was used as the foundation for the creation of the Global Positioning System (GPS). She was the second black woman ever to be employed by the Naval Surface Warfare Center...
1921–2003 Field: Chemist, Researcher and Activist Known for: Marie Daly was the first African-American woman to receive a Ph.D. in chemistry in the United States. She worked closely with scientist Dr. Quentin B. Deming and their work opened up a new understanding of how foods and diet can affect the health of the heart and the circulatory system. R...
September 15, 1852 – October 28, 1918 Field: physicist and educator Known for: The first African-American to earn a Ph.D. from any American university and the sixth person of any race to receive a Ph.D. in physics from an American university. He taught science at the Institute for Colored Youth for 26 years. Resource: Historical Detective: Edward A...
April 23, 1933 – June 25, 2011 Field: computer scientist, mathematician, and rocket scientist Known for: Annie Easley worked at NASA as a “human computer,” performing complex mathematical calculations. She evolved with the technology -- becoming an adept computer programmer and helped develop and implement code for numerous projects. Resource: Biog...
March 21, 1911 – August 20, 1992 Field: polymer chemists, scientist and inventor Known for: Walter Hawkins is best known for inventing a plastic coating for telephone wires that made universal service possible. He is a recipient of the National Medal of Technology and an inductee of the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Resource: Biography: W. Linco...
- Alice Ball, chemist (1892-1916) Alice Ball was a chemist who developed an injectable treatment for leprosy. (Biography) Interested in chemistry and medicine?
- Benjamin Banneker, mathematician and astronomer (1731-1806) Benjamin Banneker was a mathematician and astronomer. Stories about Banneker include a range of science details, including a clock he carved from wood (possibly the first clock in the U.S.)
- Patricia Bath, ophthalmologist (1942-2019) Patricia Bath was an ophthalmologist who developed laser technology used in treating cataracts. (Biography)
- Guion Bluford, astronaut and aerospace engineer (1942-) Guion Bluford was the first African American in space on the Challenger's eighth (STS-8) space shuttle mission (1983).
- Alvin Ailey Jr. was a dancer, choreographer, and activist. Born in Texas during the Great Depression, he moved to Los Angeles in 1946 and saw his first dance performance, and in 1949 he took his first dance class at Lester Horton's Melrose Ave.
- John Lewis. John Lewis was born as the son of sharecroppers in rural Alabama in 1940. He studied at the American Baptist Theological Society in Nashville and helped to organize sit-ins against segregated restaurants; during this period, he coined his iconic phrase, "Good Trouble," and was jailed on numerous occasions.
- Daisy Bates. When the Supreme Court ruled that segregated schools were unconstitutional, Daisy Bates stepped up to help a group of Black students integrate into an all-white high school—that group is known as The Little Rock Nine.
- Ruby Bridges. Ruby Bridges was the first Black student to integrate into a white elementary school in 1960. At only six years old, Ruby walked by protesters screaming awful slurs and angry words at her every day.
Mar 24, 2022 · Death. His date and cause of death are unknown. 3. Dorothy Vaughan – Scientist, Mathematician, and Human-Computer. Source: Beverly Golemba/Wikimedia Commons. Dorothy Vaughan was a mathematician ...
African American Pioneers of Science. Read. Explore more. Black History Month. Black History Month. The road to school desegregation. The road to school desegregation.
