There are many Black women who have made a tremendous impact on the Black community. Whether behind the scenes or not being acknowledged enough, their stories deserve to be shared. To close out on Women’s History Month we look back on a couple of Black women who have demonstrated success.
Mary McLeod Bethune, a leading Black educator, was also a civil and women’s rights advocate to be certain that Black women were able to vote and Black children had a right for education. She started her own private school for Black students and was honored with the highest award in Haiti, The National Order of Honor and Merit.
To recognize successful historic Black business women, Madam C.J.Walker became one of the wealthiest Black women after being born into poverty. While selling her products, “Madam Walker’s Wonderful Hair Grower”, she used the money to advocate for Black rights and anti-lynching.
Civil rights activist, Ella Baker, born in Norfolk, Virginia, worked behind the scenes for the right’s of Black people. Baker worked in the NAACP as a field secretary and then later served as a director of branches. She co-founded the organization, Friendship, to raise funds to fight against Jim Crow Laws. She worked closely with Martin Luther King to help arrange the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
Before Rosa Parks, Claudette Colvin paved the way for The Montgomery Bus Boycott, as she was the first woman who refused to give up her seat for a white woman. Colvin is a civil rights activist, whom after her incident that made history, she became one of four plaintiffs to rule that the bus system was unconstitutional. Unfortunately, I was always taught in school that Rose Parks was the face of this protest, and although she is well-known, Colvin deserves to have as much recognition as well.
Many historical Black women have made an impact for Black women, mothers, students, and children today. Either behind the scenes, or having a name and face plastered all over history books, their work adds an enormous amount of value to the Black community that will never go unnoticed.