Throughout the years, black women have faced so much discrimination. Everything was made 20 times harder for them compared to others. Not only during the month of February, but during every month you should educate yourself about important people of color. Majority of the time, history taught to us in schools are white washed or only involve men. However, there are so many amazing and inspiring black women out there that should be taught about in schools. Here are 10 you need to know about.
1. Wangari Maathai
Wangari Maathai is the first ever black woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Before winning that award however, Wangari dedicated her life to improving the environment for everyone around her. She founded the Green Belt Movement, which encourages women to plant trees in their local environments. By doing so, the overall area is improved, there’s more water, more food, everything is more abundant. This environmental organization focuses on planting trees, environmental conservation, and women’s rights. Throughout her lifetime, Wangari Maathai had planted 30 million trees, won the Nobel Peace Prize, founded an organization still here today, was a member of the Kenyan Parliament, and was the first woman to earn a doctorate degree in East and Central Africa. Ms. Maathai has so many more accomplishments and if you wish to learn more about her go to the Green Belt Movement website.
2. Marsha p. johnson
Marsha P. Johnson was a transgender woman who was a prominent in the Stonewall Uprising. In case you don’t know, Stonewall is a bar for people who are in the LGBTQ+ community. It was raided one night by police officers for no real reason besides homophobic intentions. Throughout her life, Marsha was giving to everyone regardless of her struggles. She started STAR (Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries) which helped homeless transgender youth. Marsha was always giving and serving the LGBTQ+ community. On July 6th 1992, Marsha’s body was found floating down the Hudson River. Police ruled this case a suicide disregarding the fact that multiple people said Marsha would never commit suicide. The case sat cold until 25 years later, in 2012 the NYPD opened the case up again. It still has no leads. Marsha will forever be known as an advocate for LGBTQ+ people and youth and a giving person.If you want to learn more about Marsha Johnson, you can find that at Marshap.com.
3. dr. kizzmekia corbett
Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett was one of the main doctors and researchers to find and develop the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. She is currently trying to make the black community trust vaccinations again, because of how black people have been tricked in the past. She goes to churches, community organizations, and goes in social media to talk about how the Black community can trust this vaccine, for she would not lead them blindly. She was one of the lead scientists for the Coronavirus Vaccines and Immunopathologist team at the National Institute of Health. She now is the head of Harvard’s Coronavirus and other relevant emerging infectious disease labs also know as CoreID.
4. Bridget “Biddy” Mason
Bridget also known as Biddy Mason was a formerly enslaved person who became one of the first black female millionaires. Biddy and her family traveled with her enslavers, the Smiths, to California. In California, it was illegal to have enslaved people so eventually Biddy went to the courts and filed for freedom against Robert Smith. Only three days later, Bridget and her children were declared free. In her new life, she was a famous doctor’s assistant and philanthropist. Biddy donated around 3 million dollars to different charities, feeding and sheltering the poor, and she also visited prisoners. Bridget Mason also opened a school for black children, an orphanage, and started FAME, the First African Methodist Episcopal, which is still around today. Bridget Mason was a genius and an amazing community member.
5. valdecir nascimento
Valdecir Nascimento is a women’s rights advocate who particularly fights for the rights of domestic workers in Brazil. She started a program where she brings in women and gives them an education and many opportunities to improve in the world. She is well known for organizing the Women’s March in Brazil, who got major attention from Angela Davis. She started the project “Expanding Rights and Horizons” in partner with UNICEF. To this day, she is continuing to speak out about women’s rights, particularly their reproductive health rights as of right now.
6. Frances Thompson
Frances Thompson was a women’s and transgender advocate during her lifetime (1840-1876). She was one of the first transgender women to testify in the United States Congress regarding the Memphis Riots. During the Memphis Riots, white men (union soldiers) harassed a group of black people who appeared to be having a party. When the police tried to arrest these union soldier veterans, havoc broke out. These white terrorists killed 46 black people, burnt down 4 churches, 4 black schools, and 91 buildings. They also raped black women and children and Frances Thompson and her roommate unfortunately happened to be some of those women. Regarding this case, Frances stood up and testified, become an Anti-Rape advocate. This was powerful at the time because Frances was a formerly enslaved women and by testifying, she was taking back her power over her and her body. Sadly during the year of her death, Frances was arrested for cross dressing and put into a men’s chain gang which was extremely physically taxing. Due to the news of Frances getting arrested for cross dressing, in the eyes of the American people at the time, they thought this discredited her statement. Frances represents the injustices many trans people have faced and also represents strength for going up and testifying in front of Congress. There is a scholarship in Frances name, you can find it at tftef.org.
7. vanessa nakate
Vanessa Nakate is a youth climate activist who is credited for being the first “Friday for Future” protest organizer/protester in Uganda. Friday for Future is a youth-led movement organized by Greta Thunberg where students sit outside of their government buildings during the school day, demanding that their government takes action on climate. Vanessa became famous when she was cut out of a photo with four other white climate activists in a photo. She was cropped out and posted a video talking about the racism within the environmental activism world as well. In Africa, they produce some of the lowest emissions at 3% yet is most affected by the consequences of climate change. Ms. Nakate is calling for action to be taken in Africa. Vanessa also founded Save the Congo’s Rainforest, which is an area facing deforestation and is a key factor in biodiversity, regulation CO2, and is home to many tribes. She also created the Rise Up Movement, where youth climate activists share their stories. Currently, Vanessa is working on the Green Schools Project where solar panels and eco-friendly stoves are being installed in schools in Africa. Vanessa is one of the key voices in climate change justice movement and is continuing to speak out about the need for change.
8. Misty copeland
Misty Copeland is the American Ballet Theaters first Black female principle dancer. Misty’s story is not the same as every dancers, as she started at the late age of 13, taking her first dance class at the Girls and Boys club. She had an instant talent from the first class and at the age of 15 won first place at the Music Center Spotlight Awards. She attended San Francisco School of Ballet and the American Ballet Theaters Summer Intensive. She is most well know for her roles in Firebird, Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Romeo & Juliet. Misty was the first ever black Odette/Odile in the Swan Lake production in the American Ballet Theaters history. Misty is a symbol of change, breaking the barriers of the ballet and dance world, one twirl at a time. If you want to learn more about Misty, you can find her at mistycopeland.com.
9. Emanuela paul
Emanuela is a coordinator for the Beyond Borders Program. Her main focus and advocacy is for the rights of women and children, especially those with disabilities. She brings awareness to the violence inflicted on these people, especially ever since the isolation COVID has brought. Women with disabilities are experiencing higher rates of sexual violence at home ever since COVID started. Also these individuals are more at risk due to the need for others to care for them, thus expanding their exposure. Emanuela fights every day to improve women and children with disabilities lives.
10. Shirley chisholm
Shirley Chisholm, also known as “Fighting Shirley” was the first black woman to ever be elected to Congress. She served seven terms in Congress and was known as the fiery type ever since she first came into politics. She refused to sit back and listen her first year like a lot of other Congressmen have done. Her first floor speech was about her opposition to the Vietnam War. Her slogan during her years in congress was “Unbought and Unbothered” and she claimed herself as the peoples politician. Shirley fought for many things and improved neighborhoods in her precinct, specifically things like expanding the food stamps program. In 1972 she ran for president and was the first black woman to seek nomination for president from a major political party. During this time her slogan was “Catalyst for Change.” Also at this time, Shirley survived three assassination attempts and after she died earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom during Barak Obamas presidency. She is coined for using the statement, “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” Throughout her life Ms. Chisholm also founded the CBC, Congressional Black Caucus, and the Congressional Women’s Caucus. Shirley paved the way for many other black politicians and will forever go down in history who had gut and got shit done.