Malcom X famously once said, “The most disrespected person in America is the Black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the Black woman. The most neglected person in America is the Black woman.” This quote has been felt by Black women in history and Black women now. It is time for that to change.
It is important to highlight the parts of American history involving Black women that have been historically neglected to make this change. Countless individuals have played pivotal roles in shaping the nation’s progress in civil rights, medicine and science. Among these remarkable individuals, Black women have consistently emerged as unsung heroes who have broken barriers, challenged norms, and made invaluable contributions to these fields.
Here are some highlights of the achievements and stories of some of these remarkable women who have made significant impacts on society and whose legacies continue to inspire generations.
These Black women in history were crucial to the success and discoveries they were a part of. It is simply overlooking history to not acknowledge them.
Civil Rights Champions
Sojourner Truth (1797-1883)
Sojourner Truth, born Isabella Baumfree in 1797, was an African American abolitionist and women’s rights advocate who escaped enslavement in the early 19th century and became a powerful voice for freedom and equality. Renaming herself Sojourner Truth after converting to Christianity, she embarked on a lifelong mission to end slavery and promote the rights of all marginalized groups.
Her famous “Ain’t I a Woman?” speech delivered at the 1851 Women’s Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio, highlighted the intersectionality of race and gender, underscoring the struggles of both Black and white women in an effort to emphasize a need for equality. Truth also fought for the freedom of her son, Peter, who was illegally sold into slavery after her escape. She took her case to court and eventually won, becoming one of the first Black women to successfully sue a white man in the United States.
Truth’s eloquent speeches, including her autobiography, “The Narrative of Sojourner Truth,” helped shed light on the inhumanity of slavery and the importance of social justice. Her legacy as a courageous advocate and a symbol of truth and resilience remains an enduring source of inspiration in the fight for civil rights and gender equality.
Sojourner Truth passed away in 1883, leaving an indelible mark on American history.
Rosa Parks (1913-2005)
Rosa Parks, often referred to as the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement,” was an African American civil rights activist born on February 4, 1913, in Tuskegee, Alabama. Her defining moment came on December 1, 1955, when she refused to give up her bus seat to a white man in Montgomery, Alabama, as was required by the segregation laws of the time. This one action took an immense amount of bravery and was the catalyst for many other Black Alabamians to gain courage as well. This act of civil disobedience sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a pivotal event in the civil rights movement, which lasted 381 days and led to the eventual desegregation of public transportation.
Rosa Parks’ unwavering commitment to the fight against racial discrimination and her courage in the face of adversity made her an iconic figure in the struggle for civil rights in the United States. She continued to be an advocate for racial and social justice throughout her life and received numerous awards and honors for her contributions.
Rosa Parks passed away on October 24, 2005, leaving a legacy of bravery and change that continues to inspire generations.
Black Women In History Who Innovated Medicine
Rebecca Lee (1833-1900)
Rebecca Lee was a pioneering figure in the history of American medicine and nursing. Born in Delaware, she became the first Black woman in the United States to become a licensed physician. Dr. Lee’s remarkable achievements broke through significant racial and gender barriers, as she pursued her medical education and graduated from the New England Female Medical College in 1864. She later worked at the Boston’s Women’s Hospital and Orphan Asylum, where her dedication to providing healthcare to the underserved communities, including former enslaved people and their children, had a profound impact. Her legacy as a trailblazing Black woman in the medical field continues to inspire aspiring medical professionals and those dedicated to equitable healthcare.
Dr. Vivian Pinn (b. 1941)
Dr. Vivian Pinn, born in 1941, is a distinguished physician, researcher and advocate for women’s health. She made history as the first Black woman to graduate from the University of Virginia School of Medicine in 1967. She was not only the only Black person in her graduating class but also the only woman. Dr. Pinn’s remarkable career has been marked by a strong commitment to advancing women’s health and equality in healthcare.
She played a pivotal role in the establishment of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Research on Women’s Health and served as its director. Under her leadership, significant progress was made in promoting research on women’s health issues and ensuring that gender-specific health disparities were addressed. Dr. Vivian Pinn’s lifelong dedication to improving women’s health and her numerous contributions to the field have left an enduring mark on the medical and scientific communities.
Groundbreaking Scientists
Dr. Jane C. Wright (1919-2013)
Dr. Jane C. Wright was a pioneering oncologist and cancer researcher whose groundbreaking work in chemotherapy significantly advanced the field of cancer treatment. Dr. Wright was the first Black woman to be appointed as the head of a major department at a prominent medical institution when she became the head of the Cancer Research Foundation at New York University’s Bellevue Medical Center. Her contributions to chemotherapy research included the development of new drugs and techniques, and she played a pivotal role in establishing the concept of using combination chemotherapy to treat cancer. Dr. Wright’s work not only improved the lives of cancer patients but also paved the way for further advancements in cancer research and treatment. Her legacy as a trailblazing physician and scientist continues to inspire those in the medical and scientific communities.
Dr. Mae Jemison (b. 1956)
Dr. Mae Jemison, born in 1956, is a physician, engineer and former NASA astronaut who made history as the first Black woman to travel in space. Her groundbreaking journey occurred aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992, and it marked a significant milestone in the field of space exploration.
Beyond her achievements as an astronaut, Dr. Jemison has dedicated her life to encouraging scientific exploration and inspiring future generations, particularly underrepresented minorities and women, to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). She founded The Jemison Group, a company focused on research and technology, and continues to be a prominent advocate for science education and space science, exemplifying the limitless potential of diversity in the field of aerospace and science.
NASA’s Hidden Figures
Katherine G. Johnson (1918-2020)
Katherine G. Johnson was a pioneering Black mathematician whose groundbreaking contributions to NASA’s space program were essential to the success of several historic missions, including the Apollo 11 moon landing. As part of NASA’s “Computer Pool,” she calculated trajectories, launch windows and critical equations with unparalleled precision. Johnson’s work was instrumental in the success of the Mercury and Apollo programs, earning her the respect and admiration of her colleagues, including John Glenn, who insisted that she personally verify the computer calculations before his historic orbital flight.
Johnson’s achievements, along with those of her colleagues, were depicted in the film “Hidden Figures” (with Taraji P. Henson portraying Johnson), bringing their essential but often overlooked contributions to the forefront of public recognition. Her legacy as a trailblazer in the field of mathematics and space science continues to inspire and encourage women and minorities to pursue careers in STEM.
Dorothy Vaughan (1910-2008)
Dorothy Vaughan was a brilliant mathematician and one of the pioneering Black women known as the “Hidden Figures” whose contributions were crucial to the success of NASA’s early and historic space race missions with Russia. She began her career at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), the precursor to NASA, and became NACA’s first Black supervisor. Vaughan’s exceptional skills in mathematics and leadership played a vital role in the successful implementation of electronic computers, particularly the IBM 7090, at NASA.
Her team of “human computers,” including Mary Jackson and Katherine Johnson, became some of the first computer programmers at NASA. Vaughan’s achievements are even more monumental when taking into account they occurred under immense pressure and little time throughout 21 years of the space race. Dorothy Vaughan’s resilience and exceptional expertise broke racial and gender barriers in the early days of the space race, and her legacy continues to inspire women and BIPOC pursuing careers in STEM fields.
Mary Jackson (1921-2005)
Mary Jackson was a pioneering African American mathematician and aerospace engineer who made significant contributions to the early days of the U.S. space program. Jackson began her career at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), later part of NASA, as a “human computer” and, thanks to her determination and talent, became NASA’s first Black female engineer. Her groundbreaking work focused on aerodynamics, specifically wind tunnel testing, and contributed to the success of the United States’ space missions, including the Apollo program. Jackson’s story, along with the other “Hidden Figures” at NASA, brought attention to the remarkable achievements of African American women in STEM fields and continues to inspire future generations of scientists and engineers.
Mathematics and Education
Dr. Evelyn Boyd Granville (b. 1924)
Dr. Evelyn Boyd Granville, born in 1924, is a distinguished Black mathematician who made significant contributions to the field of numerical analysis and computer programming. She earned her Ph.D. in mathematics from Yale University in 1949, becoming one of the first Black women to achieve this academic milestone. Dr. Granville’s work in the aerospace industry, particularly at IBM, had a profound impact on the early development of computer software. Her expertise and pioneering efforts helped advance technology and contributed to crucial calculations for space exploration, as well as various other scientific and engineering applications. Her remarkable career and contributions to the field of mathematics continue to inspire aspiring mathematicians and women pursuing careers in STEM.
Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune (1875-1955)
Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune was a visionary educator, civil rights leader and women’s advocate who left an indelible mark on American history. Born to formerly enslaved parents, she rose from humble beginnings to become a prominent figure in the fight for racial and gender equality. Bethune founded the National Council of Negro Women and established Bethune-Cookman University, a historically Black institution in Daytona Beach, Florida. Her tireless efforts to promote education and civil rights made her a trusted advisor to several U.S. presidents, including Franklin D. Roosevelt. Bethune’s legacy as a pioneering Black leader and advocate for minority education and women’s rights continues to inspire future generations and serves as a testament to the power of education and perseverance in the face of adversity.
The impact of Black women in history shaping civil rights, medicine and science in the United States cannot be overstated. Their resilience, determination and innovative contributions have paved the way for future generations and have been instrumental in the progress of these fields. Despite facing systemic racism and discrimination (two things besides misogyny that were a constant throughout these women’s careers), these women emerged as leaders and champions, breaking through barriers and advocating for justice, equality and advancements in medicine and science. Their legacies serve as an enduring source of inspiration and a reminder of the rich and diverse tapestry of American history.