February – BLACK HISTORY MONTH
African-American Women
The origin of Black History Month was in 1926; however, at that time it was dedicate to just one week (second week of February) and was first known as “Negro History Week.” It was not until 1976 that it was expanded to a month and was declared Black History Month by the federal government. It was President Gerald Ford who endorsed and urged all Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”
Amongst the numerous Black Americans that have contributed in vast areas to the American culture through their great achievements are women. There is definitely too many to be able to feature them all here; but to list just a few:
Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama – the wife of the 44th incumbent President of the United States, Barack Obama; and in her own right the FIRST African-American ‘First Lady.’ She attended Princeton University and Harvard Law School working at the law firm of Sidley Austin upon graduating.
Rosa Louise McCauley Parks – known as ‘the first lady of civil rights’, in addition to ‘the mother of the freedom movement’. She received these esteem titles by being one of the first Black Americans in December 1955 refusing to sit in the back of a bus (the ‘colored section’, as it was called) when so ordered by the bus driver and was arrested for ‘civil disobedience’. She then became a significant figure in the Civil Rights Movement.
Coretta Scott King – widow of the late Dr. Martin Luther King. She was an author, activist and civil rights leader who contributed greatly by working alongside Dr. King in the African-American Civil Rights Movement in the 60s; later taking on a leadership role in the struggle for racial equality after his death.
Josephine Baker (né Freda Josephine McDonald) – although an American-born French woman, she became a French citizen in 1937. Being fluent in both English and French, she became an international known entertainer and political figure. She was the first African-American woman to star in any major motion picture and to perform in an American concert hall. She too contributed great efforts to the Civil Rights Movement upon the offer of an unofficial leadership by Coretta Scott King.
Oprah Gail Winfrey – an American media proprietor and talk show host who has been ranked the richest African-American of the 20th Century (once being the ONLY black billionaire in the world). In addition, she is also considered the greatest black philanthropist in American history. She was a determined woman who brought herself up and out of poverty and traumatic childhood, and as she rose and began to build wealth upon wealth, she knew she needed to share – to triumph over hardship she became a great benefactor to others in need.
Maya Angelou (né Marguerite Ann Johnson) – is a well known American author and poet having written six autobiographies, five books of essays, many books of poetry and a list of plays, movies, and television shows. She holds dozens of awards and thirty-plus honorary doctoral degrees. She first acquired notoriety from her first autobiography, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” which portrayed her childhood and early dark adult life. Regardless of her past, she is another great being that brought herself up from that life to obtain international recognition and acclaim as a highly respected spokesperson for Black people and women. Her works are most inspirational, that moves you into a deeper thought of self-worth and worthiness of others.
These are just a few of the African-American Women in Black History who deserve the highest of applause and respect. There are so many others; to learn more about those mentioned here or discover further individuals either ‘Google’ Black Women in History or search through Wikipedia. It is extremely interesting and very educational.
(Information for the above provided in part by Wikipedia.)
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