“I give you as my slogan in this campaign—’Let my people go.'” 844: Charlotta Bass Newspaper Publisher and Politician Born: 13 February 1874, Sumter, South Carolina, United States of America Died: 12 April 1969, Los Angeles, California, United States of America In 2020 news broke that Kamala Harris was the first African American woman to…
“I was the kind of person who would not be put down. I rejected any notion that my race or sex would bar my success in life.” 840: Constance Baker Motley The First African American Woman appointed to the Federal Judiciary in the United States Born: 14 September 1921, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of…
“The true worth of a race must be measured by the character of its womanhood.” 831: Mary McLeod Bethune Civil Rights Activist and Educator Born: 10 July 1875, Mayesville, South Carolina, United States of America Died: 18 May 1955, Daytona Beach, Florida, United States of America Mary is most remembered for starting a private all…
“Let us put our money together; let us use our money—and reap the benefits ourselves.” 829: Maggie L Walker The First Female Bank President to Charter a United States Bank Born: 15 July 1864, Richmond, Virginia, Confederate States of America (Present-day Richmond, Virginia, United States of America) Died: 15 December 1934, Richmond, Virginia, United States…
“What a wonderful revolution! In 1861 the Southern papers were full of advertisements for ‘slaves,’ but now, despite all the hindrances and ‘race problems,’ my people are striving to attain the full standard of all other races born free in the sight of God, and in a number of instances have succeeded. Justice we ask–to…
“I have no intention of just sitting quietly and observing. I intend to focus attention on the nation’s problems.” 714: Shirley Chisholm Congresswoman and the First African American Woman to Serve in the House of Representatives Born: 30 November 1924, Brooklyn, New York, United States of America Died: 1 January 2005, Ormond Beach, Florida, United…
657: Emily Howland The First Female Director of a US National Bank Born: 27 November 1827, New York, United States of America Died: 29 June 1929, Sherwood, New York, United States of America Emily was also a philanthropist, educator, and advocate for African American civil rights, temperance, and women’s suffrage. Emily was friends with Susan…
“Faith in God, and the commitment to fulfill His will for our lives — not faith in government bureaucracy – is the key to positive action. Have faith in God!” 559: Alveda King Politician, Activist, Author, News Correspondent, and More Born: 22 January 1951, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America Alveda is also a former…
“That morning before I left home, my father said to me, remember who you are. Remember you are inferior to no one. And remember that you can do anything you want to do and to hold your head up high.” 530: Dorothy Counts-Scoggins She Helped Integrate Charlotte, North Carolina Born: 1942, Charlotte, North Carolina, United…
“The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity.” 501: Viola Davis Actress and Producer Born: 11 August 1965, Saint Matthews, South Carolina, United States of America Viola graduated from Juilliard in 1994 and two years later she made her Broadway debut (and she earned her first Tony award nomination for…