Athletes
Tennis player, won 23 Grand Slams, first African American to win Grand Slam singles title in Opera Era
Who is Serena Williams
civil rights activist, participated in Montgomery Bus Boycott, refused to give up seat on a segregated bus
Who is Rosa Parks
Broadway actress during the 1920s, known for her "Banana Dance" and did her stage work in France, she worked with the NAACP and refused to perform in front of segregated crowds
Who is Josephine Baker
First black woman to be the First Lady of the United States. Contributes to help issues with women rights, civil rights, etc.
Who is Michelle Obama
singer and civil rights activist, hit songs were "Respect" and "Natural Woman", gave money to help support civil rights organzations such as SNCC and SCLC
Who is Aretha Franklin
Olympian gymnast, won All-Round in 2012 Summer Olympics, first African- American to win a Gold Medal in All-round event, Female of the Year in 2012
Who is Gabby Douglas
abolitionist who helped rescue and free slaves by using the underground railroad
Who is Harriett Tubman
American poet, author, and teacher. First African American to win a Pulitzer Prize
Who is Gwendolyn Elizabeth Brooks
An activist, entrepreneur, and inventor. The first female self-made millionaire in America. She invented cosmetics and hair products for black women
Who is Madam CJ Walker
American actress played in "Waiting to Exhale" and "Malcolm X", first black woman to win Golden Globe for best Actress in Comedy
Who is Angela Bassett
first woman in WNBA to dunk in a game, won two WNBA championships with the Los Angeles Sparks
Who is Lisa Leslie
Joined the NAACP, helped integrate schools, buses, and other public institutions, helped African-Americans with voter registration, the wife of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Who is Coretta Scott King
singer and nicknamed "Lady Day", known for her songs "Strange Fruit" and "God Bless the Child", she helped write songs for civil rights movement known as Freedom Songs
Who is Billie Holiday
the first women and person of color to be the Vice President of the United States
Who is Kamala Harris
In 1972 she was the first woman and first African-American to run for president and elected as the candidate for major party in the United States.
Who is Shirley Chisholm
One of the greatest track and field athletes in American History. First woman to win Olympic Gold Medal in long jump in the heptathlon in the 1988 Summer Olympics.
Who is Jackie Joyner-Kersee
Political activist with the civil rights movement. Known for her influence in racial justice, women's rights, and criminal justice reform. Member of Black Panther Party
Who is Angela Davis
American poet and writer, on of her famous poems are "And Still I Rise". Her work talked about racism, sexism, poverty, and empowering women
Who is Maya Angelou
She was the first African-American female astronaut and first black woman to go outer space
Who is Mae Jemison
journalist, former anchor of CNN morning show called Starting Point and now hosts her own show called Matter of Fact with O'Brien
Who is Soledad O'Brien
After overcoming her disabilities, she was the first African-American woman to win three gold medals in track and field in the 1960 Summer Olympics. Formed a foundation to promote amateur athletics.
Who is Wilma Rudolph
womanist, humanitarian, and American educator, founded the National Council for Negro Women
Who is Mary Jane McLeod Bethune
actress, fashion model she used her platform to bring up issues during civil rights movement, played in Tyler Perry movies, "Miss Jane Pittman" and "Women of Brewster Place"
Who is Cicely Tyson
Mathematician/ data analyst for NASA, she helped developed the first satellite to send multi-spectral images to study earth resources
Who is Valerie Thomas
civil rights and women's activist, focused on issues with blacks, women, and voting awareness, elementary school named after her in Baltimore city, former National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
Who is Dorthy Irene Height