There are many African American women who left their mark on the making and shaping of U.S. history. Though far too many are unsung because they were not recognized for their contributions, they are not in U.S. history textbooks. Others did not have the opportunities because of segregation, marginalization, and other forms of racism to be “mainstream” women, yet, through their vision and determination, they distinguished themselves.
In this brief blog, I would like to highlight four African American women icons who were civil rights activists, changemakers on behalf of others, leaving a lasting mark on U.S. history. There are many more women I could include and perhaps readers can include these names in the Comment section.

Women of Courage and a Personal Sense of Empowerment.

Harriet Tubman (1820-1913), assumed many roles leading to change by freedom-fighting for African slaves, the establishment of the Underground Railroad, which freed more than 70 slaves, including family members, and integrating the early suffragette movement led by white women. “I was the conductor of the Underground Railroad for eight years, and I can say what most conductors can’t say — I never ran my train off the track and I never lost a passenger.” Harriet Tubman at a suffrage convention, NY, 1896. Harriet Tubman’s also served in the Civil War as a scout, nurse, and laundress. She was dauntless and persistent in leading others to freedom.

Ida B. Wells (1862-1931) was a journalist, feminist, and civil rights activist. She is known for leading the anti-lynching movement in the 1890’s from her home in Chicago. She was active in establishing anti-lynching societies throughout the country. In 1910, she became the first president of the Negro Fellowship League, supporting newly arrived African Americans relocating from the South. She also established the Chicago Alpha Suffrage Club, the first Black women’s suffrage group in the country. “The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them” (Ida B. Wells).

Rosa Parks (1913-2005), a prominent civil rights activist, refused to relinquish her seat to a white passenger on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, on December 1, 1955. Her arrest sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a pivotal event in the campaign against racial segregation in public transportation. She is considered the “mother of the freedom movement”. One of her famous quotes was “Without a vision the people perish, but without courage dreams die.”

Shirley Chisholm (1924-2005) was the first Black woman to be elected to the U.S. Congress, serving in the House of Representatives from 1969-1983, representing the 12th Congressional District, Brooklyn, New York. A social justice advocate, she spearheaded food and nutrition programs for the poor. Prior to her congressional role, she led a childcare center in New York and was considered an expert on early childhood education and child welfare. In 1972, Shirley Chisholm was the first woman from the Democratic Party to seek the presidential nomination. “Service is the rent that you pay for room on this earth” (Shirley Chisholm).

In Closing
Learning never ends. Please share your thoughts about these women of courage and add the names of other women you admire. Thank you.