Celebrating Black History Month
Black History Month is a powerful reminder of the rich legacy, resilience, and impactful contributions of Black Americans who have made America a better place. It is a time to honor these trailblazers who often face tremendous adversity but still leave behind a powerful legacy. I will spotlight only a handful of these remarkable individuals.
Katherine Johnson
Katherine Johnson, known as the “human computer,” was a mathematician whose work at NASA helped launch the United States into space (NASA, 2020). Her calculations made John Glenn’s orbit around Earth possible in 1962 (NASA, 2020). Johnson’s story became more well-known because of the 2016 film Hidden Figures, which brought to light the overlooked contributions of Black women in the STEM field. I recommend watching the film Hidden Figures as it is an inspiring and heartwarming movie.
Barack Obama
Barack Obama made history as the first Black president of the United States, serving two terms from 2009 to 2017. His administration had many notable achievements, including the Affordable Care Act, different economic recovery measures, and the Paris Climate Agreement that left a profound legacy (The White House Archives, 2017). Obama’s message of unity and hope has continued to inspire millions. He also is a skilled writer, writing many best-selling books, including Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance and A Promised Land.
Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman, also known as “Moses,” was an abolitionist and leader of the Underground Railroad, helping over 70 enslaved people escape to freedom (National Park Service, 2023). After experiencing a traumatic head injury when she was young, she started having powerful dreams (Larson, 2004). These visions helped her navigate escape routes, keeping everyone safe and avoiding slave catchers (Bradford, 1869). She also served as a nurse, scout, and spy for the Union Army during the Civil War. Her fearlessness, courage, and determination helped in her lifelong fight against slavery.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. dedicated his life for racial equality and justice for Black Americans through nonviolent resistance. As one of the most well-known leaders of the Civil Rights Movement, King played a pivotal role in many different historical events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which successfully ended racial segregation in public transportation (King Center, 2023). King co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1957, using his platform to lead nationwide efforts against racial injustice. His powerful public speaking skills inspired millions, especially his iconic I Have a Dream” speech in the 1963 March on Washington (National Archives, 2023). His advocacy led to the passage of landmark legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. He also became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent resistance to racial segregation in 1964 (Nobel Prize Organization, 2023).
Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass was born into slavery in 1818 in Maryland. He secretly taught himself how to read and write, despite slaves not being able to get an education (Library of Congress, 2022). In 1838, he was able to escape slavery and went to the North, where he became a powerful abolitionist (Library of Congress, 2022). Douglas wrote many powerful autobiographies, including the famous Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, which shed light on the brutality of slavery and the importance of advocating for freedom (Library of Congress, 2022). During the Civil War, he inspired President Abraham Lincoln to allow Black men to serve in the Union Army, to help end slavery (National Archives, 2023).
Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks, known as the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement,” became famous when she refused to give her seat to a white man on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama in 1955, as part of the Montgomery Bus Boycott (NAACP, 2023). After she was arrested, this led to a 381-day boycott of the Montgomery bus system, which led to the Supreme Court ruling that bus segregation was unconstitutional in Browder v. Gayle (National Archives, 2023). She was a member and secretary of the Montgomery chapter of the NAACP (National Women's History Museum, 2023). Parks has received numerous awards for her civil rights activism, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1996 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 1999 The White House Archives, 2017).
Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou was a powerful poet, singer, dancer, actress, and civil rights activist that helped bring light to the beauty and struggles of the Black experience. Born in 1928, she experienced a tough childhood filled with sexual violence and racism (Academy of American Poets, 2023). During this time, she found comfort in literature and the performing arts to bring voice to her experiences. Her autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969), was a powerful book that explored many themes, including racism, trauma, and resilience. It resonated with millions across the globe and has become a hallmark of African American literature. Angelou was a pivotal figure in the Civil Rights Movement, including working with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (The King Center, 2023). In 1993, she made history as the first African American woman to recite a poem at Bill Clinton’s presidential inauguration (Library of Congress, 2023). Angelou has received numerous awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, awarded to her by former President Barack Obama in 2011 (The White House Archives, 2017).
These individuals are only a small fraction of the many pivotal Black figures and leaders that have made the world a better place. During this month, it is important to reflect and honor all the wonderful contributions of the Black community.
References:
● Academy of American Poets. (2023). Maya Angelou. Retrieved from https://poets.org/poet/maya-angelou
● Bradford, S. (1869). Harriet: The Moses of Her People. George R. Lockwood & Son.
● King Center. (2023). Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Biography. Retrieved from https://thekingcenter.org/about-tkc/martin-luther-king-jr/
● King Center. (2023). Maya Angelou and the Civil Rights Movement. Retrieved from https://thekingcenter.org/
● Larson, K. (2004). Bound for the Promised Land: Harriet Tubman, Portrait of an American Hero. Ballantine Books.
● Library of Congress. (2022). Frederick Douglass: A Brief Biography. Retrieved from https://www.loc.gov/collections/frederick-douglass-papers/articles-and-essays/in-his-
● Library of Congress. (2023). Maya Angelou and the Presidential Inauguration of 1993. Retrieved from https://www.loc.gov/nls/new-materials/book-lists/maya-angelou-author-poet/
● NASA. (2020). Katherine Johnson: Her Legacy in Space Exploration. Retrieved from https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/katherine-johnsons-continuing-legacy-at-ivv-beyond-2/
● National Archives. (2023). Browder v. Gayle: The Supreme Court Ends Bus Segregation. Retrieved from https://www.archives.gov/
● National Archives. (2023). Frederick Douglass and the Emancipation Proclamation. Retrieved from https://www.archives.gov/
● National Archives. (2023). March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Retrieved from https://www.archives.gov/
● National Park Service. (2023). Harriet Tubman: Conductor of the Underground Railroad. Retrieved from https://www.nps.gov/hatu/index.htm
● NAACP. (2023). Rosa Parks: A Lifetime of Courage. Retrieved from https://naacp.org/find-resources/history-explained/civil-rights-leaders/rosa-parks
● National Women’s History Museum. (2023). Maya Angelou: A Literary and Civil Rights Icon. Retrieved from https://www.womenshistory.org/education resources/biographies/maya-angelou
● National Women’s History Museum. (2023). Rosa Parks: Civil Rights Pioneer. Retrieved from https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/rosa-parks
● Nobel Prize Organization. (2023). Martin Luther King Jr.: The Nobel Peace Prize 1964. Retrieved from https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/1964/king/facts/
● Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self-Development. (2023). Rosa Parks’ Legacy of Activism. Retrieved from https://www.rosaparks.org/biography/
● The White House Archives. (2017). Barack Obama: A Legacy of Leadership. Retrieved from https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/administration/president-obama
● The White House Archives. (2017). Maya Angelou and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Retrieved from https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/campaign/medal-of-freedom
● The White House Archives. (2017). Rosa Parks and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Retrieved from https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/
● U.S. Congress. (2005). Rosa Parks Lies in Honor in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. Retrieved from https://www.congress.gov/
