Black History Month Figures

Shirley Chisholm 

Shirley Chisholm was the first African American woman sworn into Congress in 1968 and served for 7 terms. Additionally she was the first female African American to attempt to gain nomination for the presidency of the United States under two major political parties. She often spoke out against injustice against both minorities and women. Throughout college professors often encouraged her to go into politics because of her many debate wins but she was deterred. She said she “faced a double handicap as [she was] both black and female”. She instead became a nursery school teacher before getting her master’s degree from Columbia University. Understanding the present racial and gender inequality in the country she joined Local Chapters of the League of Women Voters, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Urban League, as well as the Democratic Party club in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. In 1964 Chisholm ran for senate and became the second African American in New York’s state legislature. In 1968 Chisholm secured herself a seat in Congress; she then retired in 1983 to teach at Mount Holyoke College and co-founded the National Political Congress of Black Women. In her legacy, she wanted “to be remembered as a woman … who dared to be a catalyst of change.”

Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler

Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler was a significant figure who was the first African American woman to become a physician in the United States. Crumpler was born in Christiana, Delaware on February 8, 1831 where she was raised by her aunt. Dr. Crumpler’s passion for medicine and healthcare came from her seeing how her aunt took care of sick people in her town. Rebecca Lee Crumpler was always known for being an exceptionally smart and intelligent student as she attended a prestigious private school called West-Newton English and Classical School. After she graduated, she worked as a nurse in Charleston, Massachusetts. Eventually, she decided to take a courageous step to apply to medical school, and she got accepted to New England Female Medical College. After three years of coursework, a thesis, and oral exams, Rebecca Lee Crumpler was named as a Medical Doctor, and was the first and only African American physician in her class. Throughout her medical career, she experienced a multitude of racism and sexism where many male physicians refused to approve her prescriptions and dismissed her medical opinions. In 1865 when the Civil War came to an end, she moved to Richmond, Virginia where she provided medical practices and services to many women and children. Dr. Lee Crumpler also worked as the Assistant Commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau for the State of Virginia where she helped free 4,000,000 bondaged slaves. In 1883, she published a medical book that was a collection of her notes throughout her medical career titled A Book of Medical Discourses that helped many women and children with their health. Dr. Lee Crumpler has left a major impact in the medical field where some of the biggest medical societies for African American women like Syracuse University's Rebecca Lee Pre-Health Society were named in her honor. 

Jane Bolin

Jane Bolin, born in Poughkeepsie, New York in 1908, was a prominent individual in the uprising of black women in America. She accomplished many things in her career, including being the first black woman to attend Yale Law School in 1931, also going on to also be the first African American woman  appointed to be a judge. Additionally, Bolin served in the city's New York City Family Court for four decades. She fought against racial discrimination in the court and mainly supported children of color whose cases she would often run. Bolin served on the boards of numerous organizations, including the New York Urban League and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, in addition to her many years as a judge. Jane Bolin's inclination to combat racial injustice was passed down from both her father and grandfather. On Jan. 8, 2007, Jane Bolin sadly passed away at age 98  and is recognized for her groundbreaking accomplishments in academia. She was known for her"wide sympathy for human suffering" as a judge, which prompted long-lasting changes to the court's discriminatory racial rules on behalf of children. 

Coco Gauff 

Coco Gauff is a professional American tennis player known for her impressive performances in Wimbledon and the WTA tour, both in singles and doubles. She was born Cori Dionne Gauff in Delray Beach Florida, and began playing tennis at a young age thanks to encouragement from her parents, who were both Division I athletes. Her parents made many sacrifices for Coco to continue pursuing tennis, including moving their family for her to receive better coaching, and giving up their careers to train and homeschool her. When she was 10 years old, Gauff moved to Paris, France to receive training from Serena Williams' former coach, who sponsored her and helped her become the youngest ever victor of the UTSA Under 12 National Championship. 

In her early teens, Gauff was named the number one girls tennis player in the world. In 2019, at only 15 years old, she was given the opportunity to play in Wimbledon as a wild card. In her first round, she defeated Venus Williams, whom she considered to be her tennis idol. In October 2019, she won her first WTA title, and has since won 14 more titles. She won her first major title in 2023, winning the US Open and becoming the youngest player to do so since the 1990s. She has received many endorsements and millions of dollars in prize money. She has also amassed a large following on social media, which she uses to speak on climate change and advocate for the Black Lives Matter movement. Gauff is currently playing in the Australian Open, and continues to be an inspiration to young girls and tennis players around the world. 

Ethel Waters 

Ethel Waters was born on October 31, 1896 in Chester, Pennsylvania. She was an influential jazz, blues, and pop artist. Waters was the first African American to star in her own television show called As Thousands Cheer and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award. Growing up, Waters and her family experienced intense poverty. Her first marriage was officiated at the age of 12, during her time in school but they divorced soon after. At the age of 13, she got a job at a hotel in Philadelphia where she worked as a maid and sang at local nightclubs. By 17, Waters was singing in Baltimore, Maryland where she sang “St. Louis Blues” professionally on stage, resulting in her immediate fame. Due to her success, she moved to New York to continue her profession. By 1925, she performed at the Plantation Club, which guided her to her thriving success on Broadway. She was granted a role in the show, As Thousands Cheer. Waters was soon known to be the first African American to integrate Broadway and was listed as one of the highest paid actors on Broadway. In addition to her prosperity in singing, she landed some notable acting roles. One of her unforgettable roles was the musical film Cabin in the Sky which featured an all-black cast. Waters was also bisexual but never publicly announced her identification. Unfortunately, Waters was diagnosed with uterine cancer and she passed away in 1977 in Chatsworth, California. Throughout her life, she advocated for the rights of actors and wished for lesbian and gay acceptance all around the world. 

Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Fitzgerald, born on April 25, 1917- in Newport News, Virginia- overcame a challenging upbringing to become an iconic American jazz vocalist. Widely recognized as "The First Lady of Song" or the “Queen of Jazz”, Fitzgerald's remarkable career was marked by her extraordinary vocal range, scat singing, and improvisational skills. Breaking racial barriers, she became the first Black woman to perform at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem- a historic jazz and swing dance venue located in Harlem, New York City, known for its role in the development of jazz and its significance as a cultural location during the Harlem Renaissance- in the 1930s and 1940s. Despite facing racial prejudices, Fitzgerald achieved much success with a predominantly white audience and used her platform to advocate for equality during the Civil Rights Movement. Her contributions to jazz and her activism have left an enduring legacy, earning her numerous awards- including 13 Grammy Awards- and making her one of the greatest jazz vocalists in history. Fitzgerald continued to perform into the 1980s before passing away on June 15, 1996, leaving behind a wide range of music and a memorable impact on the world of music.

Jesse Jackson

Reverend Jesse Jackson, born on October 8, 1941 in Greenville, South Carolina, is a prominent civil rights activist, Baptist minister, and former US Shadow Senator from the District of Columbia. He took theological studies at Chicago Theological Seminary before working under Martin Luther King Jr. in the Civil Rights Movement. He began his civil rights activism while a student in the summer of 1960 when he fought to desegregate the local public library in Greenville. He became a leader of the sit-in movement and King later appointed him to direct the Operation Breadbasket program which had the goal of fostering more African American employment in black communities by boycotting businesses that denied them opportunities. In 1971, Jackson founded Operation PUSH (People United to Serve Humanity) which was devoted to creating economic empowerment and opportunities for the disadvantaged and people of color. In 1984, he founded the National Rainbow coalition in Washington, D.C. which sought political empowerment, education, and reforming public policy. The two nonprofit organizations merged in 1996 to form the Rainbow PUSH coalition.

Jackson ran two campaigns for the Democratic nomination for president of the United States in 1984 and 1988. Although they were both unsuccessful attempts, he exceeded expectations by placing third in 1984 and being the runner-up in 1988 behind Michael Dukakis. His 1984 campaign registered over a million new voters and won 3.5 million votes. In 1988, he registered over two million new voters and won almost 7 million voters. He got millions involved in the political process which helped the Democrats gain control of the Senate in 1986 as well as hundreds of state and local officials getting into office. 

He had a progressive agenda and was ahead of his time when advocating for issues like national health care, peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine, ending Apartheid in South Africa, and promoting democracy in Haiti. He also believes in funding for the enforcement of civil rights laws, improving education, and promoting business investment in under-served communities. In 1991, he was elected Senator of Washington, D.C. and would advocate for D.C. statehood and his “rainbow” agenda. He has served as an international diplomat many times, negotiating the release of many captives from Syria, Cuba, Kosovo, and the citizens who were used as “human shields” by Saddam Hussein in Kuwait and Iraq in 1990. In 2000, Bill Clinton awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Throughout his life, Jackson has worked for empowerment and opportunity for the disadvantaged, social equality, and education. For this, he has been regarded as one of the most respected national leaders, ranking in the Gallup List of the Ten Most Respected Americans for over a decade.

Bill Russell

Bill Russell was arguably one of the greatest basketball players of all time, winning 11 NBA Championships. He was an amazing player, and an even better person. Bill Russell was a racial justice activist, who fought for civil rights alongside Martin Luther King Jr and Muhammad Ali. He was part of the first-ever basketball game boycotted over civil rights. The boycott began due to  Bill Russell and his team being denied entry into  a coffee shop in Kentucky due to the color of their skin. Russel faced racism as an NBA player traveling across the United States, visiting many shops he often received many racist remarks and hateful glares. In Boston, many people supported the team's boycott and deemed Bill Russell a legend on the court and off the court. In 2011, Former U.S. president Barack Obama gave Russell the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House. Bill Russell will always be remembered as one of the greatest basketball players, but more importantly as a great person.

Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama was the 44th first lady of the United States. She grew up in Chicago and was very intelligent from a young age. She attended Princeton to get her bachelor’s degree and then Harvard Law School. She met her current husband, former president Barack Obama, at a law firm back in Chicago. She has always been active with her contributions to public services. In the 90s, she became the founding executive director of an organization that helps prepare young people for public service, called the Chicago chapter of Public Allies. She continued to serve the community while her husband began climbing the political ranks. In 2009, Barack was inaugurated, becoming the first African American president of the United States. This also made Michelle the first African American First Lady. The work she did during her time as first lady is truly inspiring. She took full advantage of her new position, making a big effort to make a difference. She started the Let’s Move program, with the goal of ending childhood obesity. She also campaigned hard to inspire the youth to seek further education after high school and make the most of their future. Michelle continues to work tirelessly helping the members of society, even after her time as first lady is up. She is a great example of someone who works hard and selflessly spends their time helping others. We can all learn from Michelle Obama.

Simone Biles 

Simone Biles, born on March 14, 1997, in Columbus, Ohio has climbed her way to becoming one of America's most prized gymnasts. Being raised in a challenging environment, Biles spent time in foster care before being adopted by her grandparents in Houston, Texas at age 6. While facing these hardships in her life she was able to discover a passion for gymnastics and begin training seriously working countless hours. Through her practice she has become a 4x Olympic Gold Medalist and even created her own signature move: the Biles II. Throughout her training as a child, Biles spoke on her issues dealing with racism in the gym and learning to prioritize herself and recognize her worth. Beyond her achievements in gymnastics, Biles acts as a sign of resilience to America and the pursuit of excellence. She has spoken out about mental health awareness and sexual abuse, having her advocacy create important conversations between the community and other Olympians. With all her achievements Simone Biles has no doubt become a gymnast icon and has reshaped the future of not only athletes but upcoming generations. 

Allyson Felix

With 11 Olympic medals in 5 Olympic game appearances, Allyson Felix is the most decorated American in Olympic Track and Field history. Born on November 18, 1985 in Los Angeles, Felix would dominate the Track and Field game all throughout high school and would sign a scholarship deal with Adidas in college. In 2017, after winning three medals in London at the world championship, she surpassed Usain Bolt, and became the most decorated athlete of all time. In 2018, Felix gave birth to her daughter, and it was here that her activism began. She would speak out on issues plaguing mothers in the sports community, and would even leave her deal with Nike after they offered her 70% less than her last contract because they thought she would not be as competitive due to her pregnancy. Since then, Felix launched her own shoe brand, Saysh, and has continued to speak out for support for athlete mothers, and maternal health and support for Black mothers. After retiring in 2021, Felix has not backed down from her relentless fight for equality and safety for mothers everywhere. Her story inspires many now and will continue for generations to come. 

Rose Marie McCoy

Born in Oneida, Arkansas in 1922, Rose Marie McCoy was a talented singer-songwriter of blues, jazz, rock, and pop. At the time, the music industry was dominated by white men, nonetheless, she built an impressive career. She started off singing in clubs and traveling to open for popular bands. When she was only 19 years old, with $6 to her name, she moved to New York, where she worked at a laundry and sang at nightclubs to get by. Although she had been writing songs since childhood, she chose to focus on her singing career. Her songs were recorded by popular artists like Elvis Presley, Ike and Tina Turner, Nat King Cole, Sarah Vaughan, Aretha Franklin, and Ray Charles. She began to partner with Charles Singleton in 1954, the pair co-writing songs like Elvis’ “I Beg of You,” “Trying to Get to You” from the Eagles, and Ruth Brown’s “Mambo Baby.” Although she wrote 7 top-10 hits, and more than 800 other songs, she received little credit and compensation from the recording artists. In 2008, she was honored by Community Works Exhibition NYC for her contribution to music. She died in 2015 a music legend, with few knowing her name. McCoy posthumously was inducted into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame in 2017.

Cicely Tyson

Born on December 19, 1924, in New York City, Cicely Tyson was an influential American actress and the first Black woman to win an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie. Tyson grew up in a religious family in East Harlem and was raised by immigrant parents. From a young age, Tyson wanted to be an actress, but her mother disapproved until she saw Tyson on stage for the first time and knew she was a star. Tyson was first discovered by a photographer for Ebony magazine and quickly became a successful model. In 1956, she earned her first acting role in Carib-Gold. She appeared in smaller roles on stage and in films during her early career including Dark of the Moon, Odds Against the Moon, and The Last Angry Man. In 1961, she made her television debut in NBC’s Frontiers of Faith and became the first Black woman to wear an afro on television in the United States in 1962. It wasn’t until ten years later, when she played the role of Rebecca Morgan in the drama Sounder, that she rose to stardom and was nominated for a Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Actress. In 1974, she won an Emmy for her work in The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman. Throughout her career, Tyson was known for her portrayal of strong Black women, earning her many awards and recognition later in life. She was recognized by the NAACP in 2005 for her contributions to the entertainment industry and support of civil rights during her acting career. In 2015, Tyson earned a Kennedy Center Honor and one year later at the age of 92, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from former president, Barack Obama. On January 28, 2021, Tyson died at the age of 96 and was honored by being inducted into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame in 2022. Tyson continues to have an impact on the film industry and she will always be remembered as someone who broke barriers and shattered stereotypes.

Gabby Douglas

Olympic gold medalist, Gabby Douglas is a widely known gymnast recognized for being the first African American woman to win the individual all-around event. Born on December 31, 1995, in Virginia Beach Virginia, Douglas formally started her career at the age of six. Within two years of training, she became a Virginia State Gymnastics Champion. By 14, Douglas left her family behind and moved to Iowa to train with prestigious coach Liang Chow. Gabby Douglas went on to win many more medals and titles over the years, even earning the nickname “The Flying Squirrel” due to her extraordinary height on the uneven bars. The incredible skill that Douglas has, earned her the title of the first African American to make it onto the U.S. Olympic women's gymnastics team since Dominique Dawes in 2000. Beyond her athletics, she broke down barriers in a white-dominated sport, inspiring people of color who are also facing challenges in their lives. Gymnastics tends to be a very intense sport and Douglas advocated for major issues such as body positivity and mental health. Overall, Douglas is a role model for inclusivity and diversity in not only gymnastics but also in the sports world and her accomplishments show that struggles are imminent but perseverance ultimately leads to the success of all different types of people.

Angela Davis

Angela Davis was born in 1944 in Birmingham, Alabama. She is an American Marxist, political activist, scholar, and feminist. During the civil rights movement, she was a prominent female figure. She studied at Brandeis University and later University of California, San Diego. There is much controversy surrounding Davis and her involvement with a high-profile case regarding the liberation of the Soledad brothers, who were a group of incarcerated Black musicians. Although she was charged and went to prison due to her involvement, she was later liberated and continued focusing on activism, prison reforms, and women’s rights. She has dedicated her life to challenging systemic injustices and advocating for equal rights. Davis has always been an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and in the 1990s she herself came out as a lesbian. Up until recently, Davis was teaching at the University of California, Santa Cruz and last year she even spoke at College of the Canyons. Angela Davis was a key figure in the civil rights movement as an educated Black female, she created history and continues to fight for a difference in the world. She continues to be a symbol for those determined to create change in the world.

Serena Williams

Serena Williams will forever stand as a legendary figure in the world of tennis, renowned not only for her athleticism but also for her commitment to breaking the stereotypes and limits set upon her. Born on September 26, 1981, in Saginaw, Michigan, Serena and her sister, Venus Williams, forever left their marks on the world of women's tennis. From even her early matches, Serena played with immense talent that would lead her onto the path where she would earn numerous Grand Slam titles, Olympic gold medals, and the number-one ranking in the world. Her powerful serve, remarkable determination, and strategic playing style forever solidified her as a world-renowned athletic icon.

Beyond her athletic achievements, Serena Williams has become an important figure in America as a role model for black female athletes, breaking down racial and gender barriers in the historically white sport, tennis. Her resilience in the face of obstacles, such as racism and sexism, has inspired generations to fight back from these challenges and to stand tall in the face of adversity. Serena has been using the platform she’s been given, to advocate for equality in sports. Also being a successful businesswoman, fashion icon, and philanthropist, Serena Williams continues to show what is possible for black athletes and that anything is possible with the right amount of dedication and persistence.

Mae Jemison

Born on October 17, 1956, in Decatur, Alabama Mae Jemison was the youngest child of three. When she was three, the Jemison family moved to Chicago, Illinois looking for better educational opportunities. As she got older, Mae Jemison would often be found in the library, learning about every field of science, and forming a passion for astronomy. In 1973, she graduated high school at the age of 16 and attended Stanford in the same year, she would also enroll in Cornell University Medical College in 1977. At Stanford, she served as the head of the Black Student Union and participated in dance and theater performances, which she had done since an early age. She then became a medical officer with the Peace Corps, an organization where American citizens went to developing countries and helped against poverty and disease. She volunteered in West Africa, managed healthcare, and worked on many projects, including the production of the hepatitis B vaccine. When she returned to America in 1985, she decided to pursue her childhood dream and applied to become an astronaut at NASA. Out of the 2,000 applicants, Jemison was one of the 15 chosen and completed her training as a science mission specialist by 1988. On September 12, 1992, Jemison finally went to space aboard the Endeavour, where she became the first African American woman to become an astronaut and go to space. For eight days in space, she conducted multiple experiments based on weight and motion sickness on her and her crew. She returned to Earth on September 20, 1992, and was awarded many accolades including the 1988 Essence Science and Technology Award and the Ebony Black Achievement Award. In 1993, she left NASA for a teaching opportunity at Dartmouth College and created the Jemison Group, a company that researches and markets advanced technologies. Now at age 67, she is leading the 100-Year Starship Project, which works to make human space travel to another star possible in a century. Mae Jemison is one of the important black figures in the world because of how she paved the way for not only Africans but also women in space and science as a whole.

Amanda Gorman

Amanda Gorman is an American poet and activist, famous for being the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history and for her written works that focus on issues such as race, feminism, oppression, and the African diaspora.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Gorman began her education at Harvard to study sociology and graduated cum laude in 2020. Since then, she has spoken at various events across the country, including at the Library of Congress and Lincoln Center.

Gorman is a published author with multiple publications under her name including The One for Whom Food is Not Enough (2015), The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the Country (2021), and the poetry collection The Hill We Climb (2021).

In 2017, Gorman rose to fame for being appointed the first-ever National Youth Poet Laureate. However, that wasn’t the beginning of her list of achievements. Even before she was named the National Youth Poet Laureate, Gorman was invited to the White House during the Obama administration, during which she performed for luminaries such as Lin-Manuel Miranda, former Vice President Al Gore, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Malala Yousafzai. In 2021, she was invited back to the White House to read her original poem The Hill We Climb at President Joe Biden’s inauguration. 

Determined to continue her career in activism and help other young writers, Gorman founded One Pen One Page. The non-profit organization runs a youth writing and leadership program to promote youth literacy and teach kids how to combine creative writing with social change.

Tiger Woods

In the world of golf, Tiger Woods is widely regarded as one of the greatest in the history of the sport. Born December 30, 1975 in Cypress, California, Woods displayed an early aptitude for golf, showcasing his talent from a very young age. His father, Earl Woods, was an avid golfer and played a crucial role in shaping his career, introducing him to the game whilst acting as his mentor and coach.

Woods gained widespread recognition as a prodigy during his amateur career. He secured numerous victories, including three consecutive U.S. Junior Amateur titles from 1991 to 1993 and three consecutive U.S. Amateur titles from 1994 to 1996. In fact, he was such a natural that he surpassed his father at the young age of 11. His success as an amateur golfer set the stage for his professional debut in 1996.

Tiger Woods, at the age of 20, quickly made an impact on the golfing world. In 1997, he won the prestigious Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club by an astonishing 12-stroke margin, setting numerous records in the process. This victory marked the beginning of an era dominated by Woods, as he went on to achieve unparalleled success over the next decade.

Throughout his illustrious career, Tiger Woods has won 15 major championships, including four Masters titles, four PGA Championships, three U.S. Opens, and three Open Championships. His remarkable feat of holding all four major titles simultaneously, known as the "Tiger Slam," occurred between 2000 and 2001 when he won the U.S. Open, The Open Championship, the PGA Championship, and the Masters consecutively.

However, Woods has faced challenges, both on and off the golf course. Injuries have plagued him throughout his career, leading to multiple surgeries and periods of absence from competitive play. Additionally, Woods faced problems with his eyesight, needing to get laser eye surgery multiple times.

Despite the setbacks, Tiger Woods has demonstrated resilience and determination. His triumphant return to the pinnacle of the golfing world in 2019, winning the Masters for the fifth time, was a testament to his skill and mental fortitude. Woods' impact on the game and his influence on future generations of golfers make him an iconic figure in the history of the sport. He has played a large role in popularizing the sport and attracting a broader audience. His charismatic personality, combined with his incredible skill, helped elevate golf to new heights of global popularity during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Tiger Woods remains a living legend in sports, celebrated for his contributions to golf and beyond. His journey, marked by both triumphs and challenges, has left an indelible mark on the world of golf, and he continues to be a source of inspiration for aspiring athletes worldwide.