Women’s Month
The Book of Genesis gives the account of how God created the earth, everything in it, on it, above it, under it and around it; after which; He created the two genders: man from the dust and woman from Adam’s rib. Eve; the first woman, is the mother of humankind. Since then, although not always given credit, women have been a crucial part of humanity, culture and civilization at large.
Following is a list of a few of the many African American Women who have made history through their outstanding diversified achievements:
Ida B. Wells (1862-1931) was a prominent Black investigative journalist, educator and activist. She was one of the founders of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), and led a powerful anti-lynching crusade in the U.S. in the 1890s.
Charlotte E. Ray (1850-1911) the first African-American woman to graduate from an American law school (February 27, 1872), the first African-American women lawyer in the District of Columbia, and the third woman to be admitted to the U.S. bar
Jane Bolin, first Black woman to graduate from Yale Law School, and first to gain admission to the New York City Bar. She was first Black woman judge in America in 1939.
Alice Coachman was the first Black woman to win an Olympic gold medal at the 1948 Olympic Games in London where she leapt 5 feet 6 ⅛ inches to earn the top spot in the high jump.
Dr. Alexa Irene Canady became first African American woman neurosurgeon in the United States in 1981.
Shirley Chisholm She was first Black woman to serve in Congress in 1968. She co-founded the Congressional Black Caucus. In 1972 she was the first Black woman to run for President of the United States.
Dr. Marie M. Daly: In 1947 Dr. Daly received Ph.D from New York’s Columbia University becoming first African American woman to receive a chemistry Ph.D. in the U.S.A.
Constance Baker Motley (1921-2005) first Black woman to attend Columbia Law School, 1964 first Black woman elected to N.Y. Senate and first Black woman to become a Federal Judge.
In 1984, Alexa Canady, became first African American woman certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery.
Mae Jemison first Black American woman astronaut, a leading scientist, and advocate for girls’ education in the U.S. Jemison, a physician by training, joined NASA in 1987, and served aboard the space shuttle Endeavor in 1992.
In April 2022, Ketanji Brown Jackson made history as the first Black woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
