February is Black History Month; schools everywhere take this time to incorporate lesson plans and classroom activities that celebrate the accomplishments of iconic African American people throughout history. I remember learning about famous African Americans such as Harriet Tubman who led the slaves to safety through the underground railroads and Rosa Parks, a woman who refused to give up her bus seat to a white man despite segregated seating at this time. However, it was not until college, specifically this semester, that I began to learn about African American woman who have accomplished incredible things.
- Anna Julia Cooper
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Anna Julia Cooper attended Oberlin College, a prestigious university for both men and women. She earned a math degree and pursued a career as a principal at one of the most highly recognized black high schools at this time in history. She is the cofounder of the NAACP. She is also the author of “A Voice from The South.”
- Sojourner Truth
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I briefly learned about Sojourner Truth my senior year of high school; however, this semester I learned her real name-Isabella Baumfree. Sojourner Truth was born slavery. She was American women’s rights activist. Later in life, she studied the lessons of the Bible. Sojourner Truth became a preacher and traveled north to share her teachings.
- Phyllis Wheatley
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Phyllis Wheatley was the first African- American woman to publish a book of poetry. Her book was published in 1767 and titled, Poems on Various Subjects and released Religious and Moral in 1773. The Phyllis Wheatley Club was first founded in Nashville, Tennessee in 1895 by African American Woman; the club flourished and became the most prestigious and highly recognized club for American African Women across America.