Black Women's History Month - Page 3

Passing the Torch: Fannie Lou Hamer and Stacey Abrams

Fannie Lou Hamer and Stacey Abrams, two women who have made and are making great strides as activists and political leaders. A civil and voting rights activist, Hamer led volunteers to the courthouse to register to vote in 1962, but they were denied their right due to an unjust literacy test. As a co-founder of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, Hamer made it her mission to put an end to voting discrimination. She even helped organize the Freedom Summer in 1964, bringing together college students of all races to support African American voting rights in a segregated South. After being

Passing the Torch: Katherine Johnson and Mae Jemison

Two of history’s and NASA’s greatest minds, Katherine Johnson was one of the first African Americans to work for NASA, and Mae Jemison is the first African American woman to go into space.  One of the most famous names in NASA history, Katherine Johnson was one of the first Black women to work for the administration. It wasn’t until 1953 that Johnson began working at the all-Black West Area Computing section at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics’ (NACA’s) Langley laboratory. The 1957 launch of the Soviet satellite Sputnik that marked a major shift in Johnson’s career. She played a

Passing the Torch: Ida B. Wells and Patrisse Cullors

Ida B. Wells and Patrisse Cullors, two women at the forefront of two massive movements in pursuit of justice.  Wells was more than just a journalist. She set out to use her investigative skills to find out the real reason Black men were being lynched, publishing her findings in a pamphlet and wherever else she could. Wells even travelled internationally to shed light on the lynchings happening in the U.S. A founder of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Wells was an activist and a leader of the Civil Rights Movement as well as the Women’s Rights

Stacey Abrams to give Bowie State’s commencement address

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Bowie State University announced that its 2021 commencement address will be given by political activist and leader Stacey Abrams. An American politician, Abrams is a lawyer who has served on the Georgia House of Representatives and as its minority leader. An outspoken activist for voting rights, she has authored two New York Times best-selling books, “Our Time Is Now” and “Lead from the Outside.” Abrams’ list of accomplishments includes increasing voter turnout in Georgia for the 2020 presidential election and for the state’s 2020-21 U.S. Senate election and special election. It is because of these great strides that Abrams was nominated

Passing the Torch: Wilma Rudolph and Allyson Felix

These two women are breaking more than just glass ceilings, they’re breaking world records. Wilma Rudolph has been called “the fastest woman in the world,” and Allyson Felix is a sprinter who’s on track to be the fastest person in the world. Rudolph competed in the Olympic games, winning a bronze medal in 1956, and then in 1960 she took home three gold medals and broke three world records. It was the Olympic games of 1960 that earned her the title of “fastest woman in the world.” Also an activist for civil rights, Rudolph wouldn’t attend her celebratory homecoming parade

Passing the Torch: Lucy Diggs Slowe and Venus Williams

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Two of the tennis’ greats: Lucy Diggs Slowe and Venus Williams. More than just exceptional athletes, these two women were philanthropists as well. Born in 1885, Lucy Diggs Slowe was orphaned at the age of six and then moved to Baltimore to live with her Aunt. She went on to become the first African American to win a national title in any sport, winning the first women’s title at the American Tennis Association’s national tournament in Baltimore in 1917. An advocate for women throughout her entire life, Slowe became the first-ever Dean of Women at her alma mater, Howard University,

Passing the Torch: C. Vivian Stringer and Dawn Staley

If they haven’t already, these two women are going down in basketball history as legends: C. Vivian Stringer and Dawn Staley. Vivian Stringer doesn’t need an introduction. One of the most recognizable names in all of college basketball, Stringer has built a legacy that is unparalleled by any other coach in the NCAA.  Vivian Stringer has been the head coach for the Rutgers’ Women’s basketball team since 1995. With 49 seasons under her belt, Stringer is responsible for transforming three programs into national title contenders and has led teams to 28 NCAA Tournaments. She is the first coach in all

NASA’s Mary W. Jackson honored with renaming of agency’s headquarters

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Acting administrator of NASA, Steve Jurczyk, recently honored Hampton University alumna Mary W. Jackson in the highest way. In an official ceremony, Jurczyk named NASA’s D.C. headquarters building after her. Featured in the movie “Hidden Figures,” Mary Jackson was the first African American female NASA engineer and was instrumental to American success in the 1960’s Space Race. “Mary Jackson is featured prominently in our very own Legacy Park as an iconic figure who was not only part of the Hampton University Family, but made a lasting impact on the entire world,” said Hampton University President Dr. William R. Harvey. Jurczyk

Passing the Torch: Theresa Green Reed and Kizzmekia Corbett

These two women are shattering the glass ceiling for female scientists everywhere. Not only was Theresa Green Reed a physician but she was also the first Black female epidemiologist in the nation. Kizzmekia Corbett is also making history in epidemiology, serving as the head of the Vaccine Research Center at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. An American physician and epidemiologist, Theresa Green Reed was a woman of many firsts in her field. Born in 1923 in Baltimore, Maryland, Reed grew up to graduate from Meharry Medical College in 1949. She went on to work at the Homer

Passing the Torch: Billie Holiday and Beyonce Knowles-Carter

Arguably the greatest jazz vocalist of all time, Billie Holiday left behind a legacy that has been unparalleled by anyone else. Following in her footsteps is the legendary Beyonce Knowles-Carter. Born in 1915 in Baltimore, Maryland, Holiday was raised by her mother, and the two lived in extreme poverty. When she was only in the fifth grade, she found a job working at a brothel, not as a prostitute, although she would later be arrested for such.  Looking for a job as a dancer, Holiday ended up auditioning for a singer position instead, wowing the owner with her talent. She

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