Jenny Slew: The first enslaved person to win her freedom via jury trial
Jenny Slew was a Black woman kidnapped into American slavery, who later petitioned for her freedom in court. Slew was the first ‘enslaved’ person to...
Tag : Black Women’s History
Ora Mae Washington: The forgotten Queen of Tennis
Ora Mae Washington was an African-American tennis player known as the “Queen of Tennis” in her Philadelphia neighborhood. Washington was an accomplished all-around athlete, excelling...
Willa B. Brown: Trailblazing Aviatrix who accomplished many historical firsts
[dropcap size=small]W[/dropcap]illa B. Brown was the first African-American woman to become a licensed pilot in the United States. She was also the first Black officer...
Betty Lou William: Four-Legged Beauty
Betty Lou Williams, born Lillie B. Williams, rests in quiet dignity, her parasitic twin cradled against her, surrounded by signs of the farm, education, and...
The Hanging of Celia
On December 21, 1855, at 2.30pm, Celia an enslaved woman was hanged for the murder of her abusive enslaver, Robert Newsom. In 1850, Celia was...
Maria W. Stewart: Powerful Public Orator for Black Women’s Rights
Maria W. Stewart, essayist, teacher, and political activist, is thought to be the first woman in America and the first African-American woman to make public...
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...
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...