Notable Women
Although Rosa Parks is often remembered for refusing to give up on seat on that Alabama bus, it was actually this woman in March 1955, who was riding home from school, that first refused to give up her seat for a white passenger.
Who is Claudette Colvin
After working eight years as a nurse, this woman began medical school at the New England Female Medical College in 1860 and graduated in 1864 as the first Black woman to receive an M.D. in the United States.
Who is Rebecca Lee Crumpler
Invented and patented the carbon filament, so lightbulbs would last longer than those with a paper filament (such as those designed by Thomas Edison).
Who is Lewis Howard Latimer
She started Poro Co., which made hair and beauty products for the Black community, and hired Sarah Breedlove as one of her door-to-door sales agents. You probably know Breedlove better as Madam C.J. Walker, but it was actually her employer to claim the title as one of the country's first Black millionaires.
Who is Annie Turnbo Malone
This man earned his medical degree from McGill University in 1933 and began his medical career at Columbia University. His research led to the discovery of a way to store blood plasma for later use. Unfortunately; not even his brilliance could spare his life after he was involved in an accident in 1950, while in segregated North Carolina, and bled to death as the hospital was designated as "for whites only".
Dr. Charles Drew
This man invented the three position traffic signal, but having a third position besides just 'Stop' and 'Go'. This system regulated crossing vehicles more safely than earlier signals.
Who is Garrett Morgan?
An African-American dressmaker, she made her name by inventing the modern day ironing board. With its approval in 1892, she became one of the first Black women to be awarded a patent.
Who is Sarah Boone?
This inventor and engineer patented as many of 26 devices, including electronic devices for guided missiles and IBM computers, but his most valuable contribution is the pacemaker.
Who is Otis Boykin?
Despite what's written in history books, it was this man who was the first person to stand on the North Pole. The expedition was led by Robert Peary, who was credited with the distinction, but it was actually this man who had the honor of planting the American Flag at the pole.
Who is Matthew Henson?
This woman felt uneasy in neighborhood and thought the police were unreliable, thus, she took matters into her own hands and patented the modern home security system.
Who is Marie Van Brittan Brown?
This American ophthalmologist, inventor, humanitarian and academic created the Lazerphaco Probe, which revolutionized laser cataract surgery.
Who is Patricia Bath?
This mans genius was obvious from an early age, and while still a youth he built a wooden clock that kept accurate time for the remainder of his life (it is believed to be the first clock made entirely in America). He was devoted the study of Astronomy, Mathematics and eventually published an almanac to help others understand what he had learned of science and math.
Who is Benjamin Banneker?
One of the few Black women to create an animated series, she created a show with characters that had names relatable to Black people, such as; Tyrone, Tasha and Uniqua.
Who is Janice Burgess?
In 1879, this woman was the first African American to graduate from an American school of nursing, which makes her the first Black woman to become a professional trained nurse in the United States.
Who is Mary Eliza Mahoney
This man was most responsible for the economic survival of the southern portion of the United States when the boll weevil threatened to eliminate the South's most major cash crop, cotton.
Who is George Washington Carver?