Black Women of History Help Pave the Way for All Women Today

Black History month has been notable in some form since 1926. While there were not many research studies or documentation regarding the rich history of this population, Dr. Carter G. Woodson felt that such was important. Thus, the celebration began as Negro History Week and was held the second week in February, in honor of two men that significantly influenced the black population, Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.

Dr. Woodson, born to slave parents, worked in the coal mines of Kentucky, not attending high school until his twentieth birthday, but going on to receive his doctorate from Harvard. Thanks to this gentleman, many black Americans, both male and female, now have a place in the history books, where their entries no longer are missing.

Black women have triumphed greatly, being the first to achieve success in many different categories, thus opening the door and paving the way for women today. In 1773, Phillis Wheatley became the first known African American woman to have a book published. Even with the opening of the publishing door, it wasn't until 1946 that a black woman sold a million copies of a book. That novel, "The Street," was written by Ann Petry, and can be purchased still, on Amazon.com.

The first Pulitzer Prize won by an African American, of either sex, was Gwendolyn Brooks for her book of poetry, "Annie Allen." Oprah Winfrey, starting out as a reporter, now has her own magazine, "O" and hosted a book club beginning in 1996 on her talk show. This shows how far black women have progressed professionally in the literary arts.

Academically, black women have also been extremely successful, from 1862 when Mary Jane Patterson received her B.A. from Oberlin College, the first woman of color to do such, to Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander, who was the first known black woman to receive a PhD in the United States. Her degree was in Economics and was received from the University of Pennsylvania, in 1921. Education has proven to be desirable and attainable.

The performing arts have also been rewarding. When Halle Berry received her Academy Award for Actress in a Leading Role in 2002's "Monster's Ball," she stated, "this moment is so much bigger than me," and goes on to comment how her opening the door allows so many other "women of color" to walk through it. In all actuality though, in 1927 Josephine Baker was the first black woman to star in an international movie, a role that also gave people of color the opportunity to be more than just the character of house servant. She was the pioneer that gave women of color the chance to break through in acting roles.

And while that is the role Hattie McDaniel played in Gone With the Wind, she was the first African American woman to win an Academy Award. While it was for Best Supporting Actress, this role as Mammy and Ms. McDaniel's talent is actually what kicked down that racial barrier, thus making possible the nomination of Dorothy Dandridge for lead actress in 1954. Ironically, Ms. Berry portrayed Ms. Dandridge in the movie, "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge."

Another performing arts arena is music. In 1892, Matilda Sissienetta Joyner Jones became the first person of color to sing at the already famed Carnegie Hall. It wasn't until 1959, though, that a black person won a Grammy, and there were two winners that year, and both won two awards each. They were Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie. In 1987, Aretha Franklin became the first African American woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And to this day, "Respect" is one of the most popular songs.

Athletically, the African American population has achieved great notoriety and one of the first such athletes was Lucy Diggs Stowe who was the first woman to win a major sports title. She was a tennis player, winning in the American Tennis Association. But more famous, was Althea Gibson who was the first woman of color to play on the world tennis tour. It wasn't until 1948 that a black woman won an Olympic medal. Alice Coachman won the gold for the high jump. This opened many opportunities for other stand out Olympians such as Jackie Joyner Kersee and Debi Thomas.

Modeling, like all other arenas, was not always open to the beauty of difference. Hugh Hefner opened his magazine in 1965 to Jennifer Jackson and one year later, Donyale Luna graced the cover of British Vogue. It wasn't until twelve years later that American Vogue had a black woman on the cover. Beverly Johnson was perhaps, the first black supermodel, paving the way for the likes of Tyra Banks and so many others. Miss America's first black winner was Vanessa L. Williams in 1983, and despite scandal, she has gone on to success in both music and acting. And since her win, many other women of color have worn that coveted crown.

Ethnic women have shown great success in many other areas which did not require mere beauty. They used their brains. In 1885, Sarah E. Good received the first patent by a woman of ethnicity for a cabinet bed. She was from Chicago. In 1903, Maggie L. Walker founded and was president of St. Luke Penny Savings Bank. As the first woman of color to do so, she showed how hard work and innovation would prove to be lucrative and successful.

The first black millionaire was a woman, Madam C.J. Walker. Her manufacturing company produced make up and hair care products for women of color. The first billionaire of color is Sheila Johnson. What makes her interesting is that her money comes from being the president, managing partner, and governor in the sporting arena, an area primarily run by men. Being involved in the WNBA (Washington Mystics), NHL (Washington Capitals), and the NBA (Washington Wizards), she shows that a woman can accomplish anything she wants in any field.

In politics, African American women have also shown true success. In the 50's, Cora Brown was elected to the Senate. In the 60's, Shirley Chisolm became the first woman of color in the House of Representatives. The first female mayor of a metropolitan area was Doris A. Davis in Compton, California, in the 70's. The 80's had the first female judge and state Supreme Court judge Juanita Kidd Stout.

What this proves, is that once Dr. Woodson stood up to instill recognition for African American's in the history books, women broke through the barrier with force, grace, dignity, and intelligence, and became the first to accomplish many things. Thank you to these brave, strong, and courageous women of color. Women of all ethnic backgrounds have benefitted from your dedication to success.