Shirley Chisholm: Pioneering African American Politician
Shirley Chisholm was a pioneering African-American politician, who became the first Black woman to serve in the United States Congress. Chisholm was also the first...
Tag : Black Women’s History
Cathay Williams: The first African American woman to enlist in the U.S. Army
Cathay Williams (1844 – 1892), a.k.a. William Cathay, was the first known African American woman to enlist in the United States Army, and the only...
Sarah Jane Woodson Early: The first African American woman professor
Sarah Jane Woodson Early was an African American educator, author and temperance activist. For 30 years Early was a teacher and school principal in Ohio,...
Dorothy Dandridge: The Iconic Leading Actress
“America was not geared to make me into a Liz Taylor, a Monroe, a Gardner.” ~Dorothy Dandridge Dorothy Dandridge was the first African-American woman to...
Carlota: Heroine of Cuba
“There was a militarily gifted and exceptionally daring woman in the front line: Carlota, of Lucumbi origin…” In 1843, Carlota Lucumí, an enslaved African woman,...
Patricia E. Bath: World-famous Ophthalmologist
Patricia E Bath discovered and invented laserphaco, a new device for cataract surgery. Bath is also the first Black woman doctor to receive a patent...
Funmilayo Ransome Kuti: The Lioness of Lisabi
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, the mother of musical legend, Fela Kuti, was also a legend, herself. Known as the Lioness of Lisabi, she was a Nigerian teacher,...
Mary Ann Shadd: The first Black woman publisher in North America
Mary Ann Shadd, was the first Black woman in North America to publish a newspaper and the first woman to study for a law degree...
Faith Ringgold: Acclaimed Story Quilt Maker
Faith Ringgold is an African-American painter, writer, speaker, mixed media sculptor and performance artist best known for her large, painted story quilts. Born Faith Willi...
Sanité Bélair: The Tigress of Haiti
Sanité Bélair (born Suzanne Bélair), was a Haitian freedom fighter and revolutionary during the Haitian Revolution. Sanité, whom Dessalines described as “a tigress,” is formally...