Black Women in History
She refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, sparking the Civil Rights Movement.
Rosa Parks
Known as the "Queen of Soul," she sang hits like Respect and Natural Woman.
Aretha Franklin
She helped NASA land on the moon and was featured in Hidden Figures.
Katherine Johnson
She was the first Black First Lady of the United States.
Michelle Obama
This beauty mogul founded Fenty Beauty, making makeup more inclusive.
Rihanna
This famous abolitionist led enslaved people to freedom through the Underground Railroad.
Harriet Tubman
This media mogul and talk show host built a billion-dollar empire and has inspired generations.
Oprah Winfrey
This scientist developed treatments for leprosy and became the first Black woman to earn a medical degree in the U.S.
Rebecca Lee Crumpler
This activist gave a famous speech titled Ain’t I a Woman?
Sojourner Truth
She became the first Black woman billionaire, revolutionizing haircare with her company.
Madam C.J. Walker
She was the first Black woman to travel into space.
Mae Jemison
She was the first Black woman to win an Academy Award for Best Actress.
Halle Berry
Her cells, taken without her consent, led to countless medical advancements, including the polio vaccine.
Henrietta Lacks
She is the Vice President of the United States and the first Black woman to hold the position. (She's a fellow Bison!)
Kamala Harris
This former first lady launched The 15 Percent Pledge to support Black-owned businesses.
Aurora James
This journalist and activist fought against lynching and co-founded the NAACP.
Ida B. Wells
This author and poet wrote "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings"
Maya Angelou
This engineer became the first Black woman to receive a patent for a home security system.
Marie Van Brittan Brown
This modern activist co-founded the #BlackLivesMatter movement.
Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, or Opal Tometi
She founded a brand that creates makeup specifically for darker skin tones, making history in the beauty industry.
Pat McGrath
She became the first Black woman elected to Congress and later ran for President.
Shirley Chisholm
She made history as the youngest person to headline Coachella, delivering an unforgettable performance celebrating HBCU culture
Beyoncé
She co-founded a company to make hair products for Black women and became the first female self-made millionaire.
Madam C.J. Walker
She fought for voting rights and was instrumental in passing the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Fannie Lou Hamer
She is the founder of Pattern Beauty, a haircare brand designed specifically for curly, coily, and tight-textured hair.
Tracee Ellis Ross