Civil Rights Leaders
Referred to as the "Queen Mother of the Civil Rights Movement," she played a crucial role in the struggle for civil rights.
What is Septima Poinsette Clark?
Her best-known work is the novel "Their Eyes Were Watching God," a classic in African American literature.
What is Zora Neale Hurston?
The first Black woman elected to the United States Congress, representing New York's 12th congressional district.
What is Shirley Chisholm?
As the first African American woman to travel in space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour.
What is Mae Jemison?
Achieved international fame in the 1920s for her performances in Paris, becoming the first Black woman to star in a major motion picture ("Siren of the Tropics," 1927)
What is Josephine Baker?
A prominent civil rights and women's rights activist. As the president of the National Council of Negro Women for over four decades, she advocated for the rights of African American women and worked towards gender and racial equality
What is Dorothy Height?
An American novelist, essayist, editor, and professor. She won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993, becoming the first Black woman to do so.
What is Toni Morrison?
In 1972, she became the first Black woman from a Southern state to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
What is Barbara Jordan?
A brilliant mathematician and physicist who made significant contributions to NASA's space program. Her precise calculations were instrumental in the success of early space missions, including John Glenn's orbital flight.
What is Katherine Johnson?
Known for her sultry voice, she was one of the first Black women to portray Catwoman in the 1960s "Batman" TV series.
What is Eartha Kitt?
A civil rights activist and a behind-the-scenes organizer who played a pivotal role in several major civil rights organizations, including the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).
What is Ella Baker?
An American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist. She is best known for her autobiographical work "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings."
What is Maya Angelou?
Prior to her judicial career, she was a key legal strategist for the civil rights movement. She worked on landmark cases, including Brown v. Board of Education.
What is Constance Baker Motley?
A physicist who became the first African-American woman to earn a Ph.D. from MIT. Her pioneering work in theoretical physics has had a lasting impact, and she has held leadership positions in both academia and industry, including serving as the president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
What is Dr. Shirley Jackson?
Her music became anthems for the Civil Rights Movement. Her song "To Be Young, Gifted and Black" became an empowering anthem.
What is Nina Simone?
A civil rights activist and a leader in the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party. She played a significant role in challenging the discriminatory practices of the Democratic Party in Mississippi and advocating for the inclusion of Black voices in politics.
What is Fannie Lou Hamer?
An American novelist, poet, and social activist. She won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for her novel "The Color Purple."
What is Alice Walker?
She became the first Black woman elected to the United States Senate, representing Illinois.
What is Carol Moseley Braun?
An ophthalmologist and the first African-American woman to complete a residency in ophthalmology. She is best known for inventing the Laserphaco Probe, a device that revolutionized cataract surgery by using laser technology.
What is Patricia Bath?
A trailblazer for Black actresses, known for her powerful performances in roles that challenged stereotypes. She won an Academy Award for her role in the film "Sounder" (1972) and received numerous awards for her contributions to theater and television.
What is Cicely Tyson?
A leader in the civil rights movement and an advocate for peace, justice, and human rights. After the assassination of her husband, Martin Luther King Jr., she continued his work and became a prominent figure in her own right.
What is Coretta Scott King?
A Nigerian writer and author known for her novels, essays, and short stories. She has received numerous awards for her work.
What is Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie ?
Made history in 2020 as the first Black and South Asian woman to be elected Vice President of the United States.
What is Kamala Harris?
A cell biologist and cancer researcher. She made significant contributions to our understanding of cancer, particularly melanoma. Her work extended to advocacy for women and minorities in science, and she served as the president of California State University, Fullerton.
What is Dr. Jewel Plummer Cobb?
A profound impact on the music industry and popular culture. She has won numerous awards, including multiple Grammys, and is known for her advocacy on social and racial issues. Her visual album "Lemonade" (2016) received critical acclaim for addressing themes of race, feminism, and infidelity.
What is Beyonce?