African American
Condoleezza Rice (1954-Present)
Condoleezza Rice was born on November 14, 1954 in Birmingham, Alabama. Growing up in the south during that time she had to overcome a lot of discrimination and racism. In 1974, Rice received her bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Denver. She went on to earn a master's from the University of Notre Dame a year later. Rice then earned her Ph.D. from the University of Denver's Graduate School of International Studies in 1981. She also became a political science professor at Stanford University that same year. Rice became the first woman and first African American to become a senior administrative officer at Sanford University in 1993. In the 1980’s Rice moved to Washington, D.C. and worked as director of Soviet and East European affairs with the National Security Council. In 2001, Rice became the first African American women to be appointed as the national security adviser by President George W. Bush. When Rice became the 66th Secretary of State in 2004, she was the first African American women to hold the position. She served from January 2005 to 2009.
Condoleezza Rice (1954-Present)
Condoleezza Rice was born on November 14, 1954 in Birmingham, Alabama. Growing up in the south during that time she had to overcome a lot of discrimination and racism. In 1974, Rice received her bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Denver. She went on to earn a master's from the University of Notre Dame a year later. Rice then earned her Ph.D. from the University of Denver's Graduate School of International Studies in 1981. She also became a political science professor at Stanford University that same year. Rice became the first woman and first African American to become a senior administrative officer at Sanford University in 1993. In the 1980’s Rice moved to Washington, D.C. and worked as director of Soviet and East European affairs with the National Security Council. In 2001, Rice became the first African American women to be appointed as the national security adviser by President George W. Bush. When Rice became the 66th Secretary of State in 2004, she was the first African American women to hold the position. She served from January 2005 to 2009.
Mae Jemison (1956-Present)
Mae Jemison was born on October 17, 1956 in Decatur, Alabama. Jemison and her family moved to Chicago, Illinois when she was a child. While living in Chicago Jemison started to develop an interest in science through her uncle. In 1977, Jemison graduated from Stanford University with a degree of chemical engineering and Afro-American studies. She then went on to Cornell University. In 1981, she graduated from Cornell University with a doctorate in medicine. Jemison then did some work for the Peace Corp in West Africa, specifically Sierra Leone and Liberia. In 1987, Jemison was selected for the astronaut program by NASA and started her training to become a mission specialist. In 1992, Mae Jemison became the first African American women to go to space when she was chosen to be the mission specialist aboard the space shuttle Endeavour. In 1993 Jemison left NASA and started her own organization that is dedicated to developing science and technology.
Mae Jemison was born on October 17, 1956 in Decatur, Alabama. Jemison and her family moved to Chicago, Illinois when she was a child. While living in Chicago Jemison started to develop an interest in science through her uncle. In 1977, Jemison graduated from Stanford University with a degree of chemical engineering and Afro-American studies. She then went on to Cornell University. In 1981, she graduated from Cornell University with a doctorate in medicine. Jemison then did some work for the Peace Corp in West Africa, specifically Sierra Leone and Liberia. In 1987, Jemison was selected for the astronaut program by NASA and started her training to become a mission specialist. In 1992, Mae Jemison became the first African American women to go to space when she was chosen to be the mission specialist aboard the space shuttle Endeavour. In 1993 Jemison left NASA and started her own organization that is dedicated to developing science and technology.
Bessie Coleman (1892-1916)
Bessie Coleman was born on January 26, 1892 in Atlanta, Texas. She lived in Texas her whole childhood with her mother, Susan, father, George, and twelve brothers and sisters. Growing up in the south, Coleman was forced to face discrimination, racism and violence for being African American. When Coleman was 23 she moved to Chicago but she still had to work against racial stigma and gender stigma to make her dream of learning how to fly become a reality. Coleman was inspired by French women who were able to fly. Because of all of the discrimination Coleman faced in the United States she ended up going to France in 1920 to learn how to fly. In 1921, Coleman received her international pilot’s license from Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. She became the first African American female to earn a pilots license. Coleman lost her life in a tragic plane accident on April 30, 1916. She is still remembered today and is seen as a role model and inspiration for other African American women pilots.
Bessie Coleman was born on January 26, 1892 in Atlanta, Texas. She lived in Texas her whole childhood with her mother, Susan, father, George, and twelve brothers and sisters. Growing up in the south, Coleman was forced to face discrimination, racism and violence for being African American. When Coleman was 23 she moved to Chicago but she still had to work against racial stigma and gender stigma to make her dream of learning how to fly become a reality. Coleman was inspired by French women who were able to fly. Because of all of the discrimination Coleman faced in the United States she ended up going to France in 1920 to learn how to fly. In 1921, Coleman received her international pilot’s license from Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. She became the first African American female to earn a pilots license. Coleman lost her life in a tragic plane accident on April 30, 1916. She is still remembered today and is seen as a role model and inspiration for other African American women pilots.
Dr. Carter G. Woodson(1875-1950)
Carter Woodson was born on December 19, 1875 in New Canton, Virginia. Woodson faced many struggles trying to get an education since his parents were former slaves. Eventually he was able to get his high school diploma from Douglass High School in 1895. After that Woodson began teaching until 1900 when he became the principal of Douglas High School. Woodson was able to earn a Bachelor of Literature degree from Berea College. He then went on to earn his M.A. from the University of Chicago in 1908. Finally, in 1912, he got his Ph.D. in history from Harvard University. Dr. Woodson is credited for creating an awareness about the importance of Black History through the research that he completed. He established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915, and in 1916 he founded the Journal of Negro History. He was also able to develop Negro History Week in 1926. He was able to make the study of African American history a legitimate field of study and many other historians continued on with his work. On April 3, 1950 Dr. Carter Woodson passed away. He is now remembered as the Father of Black History.
Carter Woodson was born on December 19, 1875 in New Canton, Virginia. Woodson faced many struggles trying to get an education since his parents were former slaves. Eventually he was able to get his high school diploma from Douglass High School in 1895. After that Woodson began teaching until 1900 when he became the principal of Douglas High School. Woodson was able to earn a Bachelor of Literature degree from Berea College. He then went on to earn his M.A. from the University of Chicago in 1908. Finally, in 1912, he got his Ph.D. in history from Harvard University. Dr. Woodson is credited for creating an awareness about the importance of Black History through the research that he completed. He established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915, and in 1916 he founded the Journal of Negro History. He was also able to develop Negro History Week in 1926. He was able to make the study of African American history a legitimate field of study and many other historians continued on with his work. On April 3, 1950 Dr. Carter Woodson passed away. He is now remembered as the Father of Black History.
Bill Cosby (1937-Present)
Bill Cosby was born on July 12, 1937 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His family struggled financially growing up and he got his first job shining shoes at the age of 9 to help his family out. Though Cosby was good in school, it didn’t hold his interest and he dropped out of high school. He then joined the U.S. Navy in 1956. Cosby was able to earn a high school equivalency diploma while in the service. He then went on to Temple University after leaving the Navy. Cosby became interested in stand-up comedy and ended up dropping out of college as well. Cosby was the first African American man to appear on television when he received a leading role in the show I Spy. He challenged more racial barriers for the entertainment world when he became the father in The Cosby Show, which showcased an upper-middle class African-American. Cosby won a Grammy Award for best comedy performance in 1964’s I Started Out as a Child. In 1977 he went back to school and received a doctorate in urban education from the university of Massachusetts. Cosby took up writing when he decided to create a children’s book series titled Little Bill in 1997, which was then turned into a television show. Cosby as won many awards including the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award in 2003, the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2009 and numerous Grammys and Emmys for his acting career.
Bill Cosby was born on July 12, 1937 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His family struggled financially growing up and he got his first job shining shoes at the age of 9 to help his family out. Though Cosby was good in school, it didn’t hold his interest and he dropped out of high school. He then joined the U.S. Navy in 1956. Cosby was able to earn a high school equivalency diploma while in the service. He then went on to Temple University after leaving the Navy. Cosby became interested in stand-up comedy and ended up dropping out of college as well. Cosby was the first African American man to appear on television when he received a leading role in the show I Spy. He challenged more racial barriers for the entertainment world when he became the father in The Cosby Show, which showcased an upper-middle class African-American. Cosby won a Grammy Award for best comedy performance in 1964’s I Started Out as a Child. In 1977 he went back to school and received a doctorate in urban education from the university of Massachusetts. Cosby took up writing when he decided to create a children’s book series titled Little Bill in 1997, which was then turned into a television show. Cosby as won many awards including the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award in 2003, the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2009 and numerous Grammys and Emmys for his acting career.
Hank Aaron (1934-Present)
Hank Aaron was born on February 5, 1934, in Mobile, Alabama. He took an interest in baseball at a young age and played throughout high school. At the age of 18 Aaron quit school and joined Negro Baseball League's Indianapolis Clowns. After winning the league’s World Series in 1952, Aaron was recruited by the Milwaukee Braves. It was here that he was able to earn the title of "Northern League Rookie of the Year." In 1954, Aaron was able to make it to the Major League playing for the Milwaukee Braves. Aaron faced a lot of racism and discrimination during his baseball career. He received hate mail and even death threats. This didn’t stop Aaron from earning many awards during his career including: National League MVP (1957), winning the 1957 World Series, and breaking baseball's all-time runs batted in record, previously held by Babe Ruth, in 1975. Aaron retired from baseball in 1976. Since then he has become the Atlanta Braves Executive Vice-President and speaks out for minority hiring in baseball. Aaron was inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame in 1982 and published his autobiography, I Had a Hammer, in 1990.
Hank Aaron was born on February 5, 1934, in Mobile, Alabama. He took an interest in baseball at a young age and played throughout high school. At the age of 18 Aaron quit school and joined Negro Baseball League's Indianapolis Clowns. After winning the league’s World Series in 1952, Aaron was recruited by the Milwaukee Braves. It was here that he was able to earn the title of "Northern League Rookie of the Year." In 1954, Aaron was able to make it to the Major League playing for the Milwaukee Braves. Aaron faced a lot of racism and discrimination during his baseball career. He received hate mail and even death threats. This didn’t stop Aaron from earning many awards during his career including: National League MVP (1957), winning the 1957 World Series, and breaking baseball's all-time runs batted in record, previously held by Babe Ruth, in 1975. Aaron retired from baseball in 1976. Since then he has become the Atlanta Braves Executive Vice-President and speaks out for minority hiring in baseball. Aaron was inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame in 1982 and published his autobiography, I Had a Hammer, in 1990.