Black American Women Heroes

Aileen Cole Stewart made history as one of 18 African American nurses to serve in the Army Nurse Corp during WWI.

Learn about the important work of African-American mathematician Katherine Johnson, with this multimedia showcase celebrating her birthday on August 26.

Mathematician Mary Jackson was one of the "human computers" who worked at NASA as an aeronautical engineer, performing calculations.

Marie Maynard Daly was the first Black American woman to earn a PhD. in chemistry

Mae Jemison is an American astronaut, a crew member of the Space Shuttle Endeavor, and was the first black woman to travel to space.

Bessie Coleman wanted to become an aviator. Rejected from every U.S. aviation school for being a woman and black, she refused to take no for an answer.

Lena Horne, a singer, dancer, and actress, was one of the top African American performers of her time.

Watch a film by Gabrielle Gorman and you will be struck by her powerful and poetic use of imagery, even as she explores charged subjects such as racism, police brutality, and identity.

The remarkable Effa Manley was a civil rights activist who broke down baseball's racial barriers as co-owner of the Newark Eagles in the Negro National League.

PHILLIS WHEATLEY: First African-American writer

"No two people on earth are alike, and it's got to be that way in music or it isn't music." Billie Holiday

Edmonia Lewis was the first woman of African-American and Native American heritage to achieve international recognition as a sculptor.

Amanda Gorman, America's first Youth Poet Laureate, recited the original poem "The Hill We Climb" at the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Margot Lee Shetterly is the author of "Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race."

Alice Walker is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and best known for "The Color Purple." She is also a political activist.

Toni Morrison was an award-winning novelist whose stories helped people of all races understand the black experience, including Beloved and Song of Solmon.

American poet, author, and civil rights activist

A visual and musical interpretation of American poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou’s electrifying poem "Still I Rise."

Florence Griffith Joyner (Flo-Jo) was one of the greatest women atheletes of all time.

Jackie Joyner-Kersee is the women's world record holder of the heptathalon, and a philanthropist.

Olympics Hero: "The love for what I was doing...passion for gymnastics, competing and pleasing the crowd. Able to last 18 years in the sport because I loved what i was doing." -- Dominique Dawes on what kept her motivated.

C. Vivian Stringer despite great challenges, pursued her passion for basketball and is known for turning women into champions.

Florence Griffith Joyner (Flo-Jo) was one of the greatest women atheletes of all time.

Venus Williams is considered one of the all-time greatest tennis players.

As a child, Wilma Rudolph had polio. Through her perseverance, she became a world-record-holding Olympic athlete and won three Olympic gold medals in one year.

UVA doctoral student Abigail Akosua Kayser collaborated with the girls in City of Promise's Sisters of Nia Young Women's Support Group and Lead Facilitator, Latara Ragland.

Michelle Obama was the first African American First Lady of the United States.

Ruth Simmons was the 18th president of Brown University and the first black president of an Ivy League Institution.

Marian Wright Edelman is a children's rights advocate and is founder and president emerita of the Children's Defense Fund.

Ella J. Baker was an early and life-long civil rights activist who taught Rosa Parks to stand up for her rights.

Maxine Waters is a Congresswoman who works fervently for her community.

As a high school student, Claudette Colvin refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger in Montgomery, Alamaba, about nine months before Rosa Parks did the same.

One of the most important heroes in the fight against segregation in America was a six-year-old girl, Ruby Nell Bridges.

Fannie Lou Hamer was a civil rights leader and voting rights advocate.

Rosa Parks was born February 4, 1913, in Tuskagee, Alabama. On December 5, 1955, she refused to give up her seat to a white passenger. This act of defiance led to her arrest and inspired the Montgomery Bus Boycott, led by the NAACP. The boycott lasted 381 days, until the Supreme Court ruled bus segregation unconstitutional.

Madam C.J. Walker used her haircare business success to fight discrimination and open doors for others.

Harriet Tubman organized the Underground Railroad and helped lead slaves to freedom.

Angela Davis is a leader, author, and professor who has fought for decades for human rights.