Let's Celebrate Women’s History Month

March 1

Do you know… Daisy Bates? Daisy Bates is an often forgotten catalyst for school desegregation in this country. She and her husband, L.C. Bates, owned the Arkansas State Press. The newspaper was focused on advocacy and civil rights, as well as highlighting achievements of Black Arkansans. Bates used the newspaper to challenge the state of Arkansas in its defiance of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Brown v Board of Education which made school desegregation illegal. Bates editorials and work with the NAACP and Little Rock 9 children, resulted in Central High School allowing Black students to enroll in 1957 -  3 years after the federal law was put in place.

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March 2

Do you know…who was known as "the Moses of her people?" Harriet Tubman was known as Black Moses. She was known by this name because she led Black people out of slavery as a conductor on the Underground Railroad. Tubman was also a spy for the Union Army and was the first woman to lead soldiers into battle.

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March 3

Do you know…who was the first South Asian American woman in Space? Born in India, Kalpana Chawla (Born 17 March 1962) was the first woman of South Asian origin to fly to space. She flew on Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997 as a mission specialist and primary robotic arm operator. Chawla's second flight was in 2003 on the final flight of Columbia. She was one of the seven crew members who died in the Space Shuttle Columbia on February 1, 2003 when the spacecraft disintegrated during its re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere. Chawla was posthumously awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor. She also had several streets and schools named in her honor.

March 4

Do you know… Sarah Breedlove? Sarah Breedlove is Madam C.J. Walker’s birth name. Madam C.J. Walker became the first self-made female millionaire in 1910. Walker built a successful business manufacturing and selling hair care products for Black women. At the time of her death in 1919, she had employed over 40,000 employees – the majority of whom had been Black women.

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March 5

Do you know … Besse Coleman? Bessie Coleman is the first Black woman to earn a pilot’s license which she got in 1921. Coleman had to go to France to earn her license because Blacks nor women were allowed to get a pilot’s license in the U.S. Coleman’s airshows became popular when she returned to the U.S. She refused to perform the shows any place that had segregated audiences. She died as a passenger during a test flight at the age of 34.

  

March 6

Do you know … Mae Jemison? Mae Jemison is the first Black female astronaut. She also graduated from Stanford University with a degree in engineering and from Cornell University with a medical degree. After practicing medicine in the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone and Liberia, she decided to apply to NASA. After joining NASA, she became the first Black woman to go into space in 1992 aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour.

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March 7

Do you know Ladonna Vita Tabbytite? Ladonna Vita Tabbytite is Ladonna Harris. Harris is Native American social activist and politician. She founded the Americans for Indian Opportunity in 1970 to advance the rights of Native Americans. Harris was also the first Native American woman to run for vice president in 1980 as a member of the Citizens Party.

 

MARCH 8

Do you know… Chloe Anthony Wofford Morrison? Chloe Anthony Wofford Morrison is Toni Morrison. Toni Morris is the first Black woman to win the Nobel Prize. Morrison won the Nobel Prize in 1993 for her book Beloved. Beloved tells the story of a former slave, Sethe, from her pre-Civil War days in Kentucky to her life post slavery in Cincinnati, chronicling the horrific impact the legacy of slavery has on she and her family. 

MARCH 9

Do you know … Mariya Russell? Mariya Russell is the first Black women to run a Michelin starred restaurant. Russell earned this honor in 2019 as chef de cuisine for Chicago’s Kikko Restaurant. Kikko is a omakase Japanese restaurant. Omakase is a Japanese style that means the menu is chosen by the chef.

 

 

MARCH 10

Do you know Ida Liu? Ida Liu is the Global Head of Citi Private Bank. Liu graduated from Wellesley College with honors and has an M.B.A from the Wharton School. For the past four years, American Banker has named Liu one of the 25 Most Powerful Women in finance.

 

MARCH 11

Do you know Isabella Baumfree? Isabella Baumfree is Sojourner Truth. Sojourner Truth changed her name in 1843 after her conversion to Christianity. She also became one of the 19^th centuries most well-known abolitionists and women’s rights advocates. In 1851, at the Women’s Rights Convention, she delivered what is arguably the most powerful and famous human rights speeches in American History: “Ain’t I a Woman?”

 MARCH 12

Do you know Carla Hayden? Carla Hayden is the first Black and the first woman to be the Librarian of Congress. What does the Librarian of Congress do? Hayden leads the Library of Congress. The Library of Congress provides Congress with research that helps in the legislative process, administers the national copyright system, and manages the largest collection of books, recordings, photographs, maps and manuscripts in the world.

MARCH 13

Do you know Fannie Lou Hamer? Fannie Lou Hamer was a Civil Rights activist who helped found the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party in 1964. Hamer devoted her life to voting and civil rights advocacy after she was beaten and arrested for trying to register to vote in 1962.

 

 

 

MARCH 14

Do you know Eileen Gu? Eileen Gu is a freestyle skier. Chinese-American, Gu was born in the United States, but competed and medaled for China at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. At 18, Gu became the youngest Olympic champion in freestyle skiing. She is also the first freestyle skier to win three medals at a single Winter Olympics.

 

MARCH 15

Do you know Condoleezza Rice? Condoleezza Rice is the first Black woman to be the Secretary of State. She held this position from 2005-2009 under President George W. Bush. She was also the first woman to serve as National Security Advisor from 2001-2005. Rice is currently the Director of the Hoover Institution – a public policy think tank at Stanford University. Condoleeza also served for three seasons as one of 12 members on the College Football Playoff selection committee. She was also honored as a recipient of the National Football Foundation Gold Medal, making her the first woman ever nationally recognized by the NFF in its history.

MARCH 16

Do you know Carla Hayden? Carla Hayden is the first Black and the first woman to be the Librarian of Congress. What does the Librarian of Congress do? Hayden leads the Library of Congress. The Library of Congress provides Congress with research that helps in the legislative process, administers the national copyright system, and manages the largest collection of books, recordings, photographs, maps and manuscripts in the world.

MARCH 17

Do you know Cheryl Glass? Cheryl Glass was the first Black female professional race car driver. Glass dropped out of college to pursue a professional racing career in 1979 at age 18. She raced at Skagit Speedway in Mount Vernon, Washington. She was named the Northwest Sprint Car Association Rookie of the Year. After winning the championship race at Skagit Speedway, she went on to compete in more than 100 professional races.

 

 

MARCH 18

Do you know Sheila Johnson? Sheila Johnson is the first Black female billionaire. Johnson became a billionaire in 2001 when she and her co-founder and then-husband, Robert Johnson, sold BET to Viacom for $3 billion. Johnson has gone on to invest in luxury hospitality and now runs a portfolio of seven hotels and resorts in the U.S., Anguilla and Jamaica called the Salamander Collection, recently ranked the No. 1 luxury hotel brand by USA Today.

 

MARCH 19

Do you know … Maritza Correia? In 2004, Maritza Correia became the first Black woman to be a member of the U.S. Olympic swim team. She is also the first Black female swimmer for the U.S. to win an Olympic medal. We’re not done 😊! She’s also the first Black American swimmer to set an American and world swimming record. Now we’re done!

 

MARCH 20

Do you know Indra Nooyi? Indra Nooyi is the former Chairman & CEO of PepsiCo. Nooyi was the first woman of color and first immigrant to head a Fortune 50 company. She continues to impact the business world as a board member at Amazon.

 

MARCH 21

Do you know Ella Fitzgerald? Ella Fitgerald was the first Black female to win a Grammy in 1959. Fitgerald, known as the First Lady of Song, won 2 Grammies at the 1959 event – one for best female vocal performer and one for best jazz performance.

 

MARCH 22

Do you know Nora Lum? Nora Lum is better known by her stage name – Awkwafina. Awkwafina became the first woman of Asian descent to win a leading actress award when she won A Golden Globe for Best Actress for her work in The Farewell. Awkwafina won the award in 2020. 

 

 

MARCH 23

Do you know Shonda Rimes? Shonda Rimes is the first Black woman to create and executive produce a top 10 network series. Grey’s Anatomy premiered in 2005 and is still running. Rimes is also the first woman to create three television dramas – Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice and Scandal – that have hit the 100-episode milestone.

 

 

MARCH 24

Do you know Trisha Sakhuja-Walia? Trisha Sakhuja-Walia is CEO & Co-Founder of Brown Girl Magazine, launched in 2018. Brown Girl Magazine is a publication designed to empower and engage South Asian women with a hyphenated identity.

 

 

MARCH 25

Do you know … Charlotte E. Ray? Charlotte E. Ray was the first Black female lawyer. She graduated from Howard University School of Law in 1872. She was also the first female admitted to the bar in the District of Columbia and to practice before the Supreme Court in the District of Columbia. Her law practice was short-lived because of the prejudice against Black people and women. After closing her practice, she moved to Brooklyn and became a teacher.

MARCH 26

Do you know… Phillis Wheatley? Phillis Wheatley is the first Black person and third woman to have a book published. Wheatley’s Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral was published in 1773 when she was just 20 years old.

 

 MARCH 27

Do you know Naomi Osaka? Naomi Osaka is the first Japanese-Haitian-American tennis player to be ranked No. 1 in the world by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA). At age 20, Osaka she defeated 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams in the final of the US Open. This made her the first Japanese player to win a major singles title.

 

MARCH 28

Do you know … Vinnette Justine Carroll? Vinette Carroll became, in 1972, the first Black woman to direct a play on Broadway. The show was called, Don’t Bother Me. I Can’t Cope. The show received four Tony nominations. (She was also the first Black woman to receive a Tony Award nomination for direction. Carroll wanted her work to positively present people-of-color. Carroll also founded the Urban Arts Corps, an interracial community theater where, as artistic director, she provided a professional workshop for aspiring young actors. Carroll said this about her career, "They told me that I had one-third less chance because I was a woman; they told me I had one-third less chance again because I was black, but I tell you, I did one hell of a lot with that remaining one-third."

 

MARCH 29

Do you know R'Bonney Nola Gabriel? R'Bonney Nola Gabriel is an American beauty queen who was the first Filipino American to be crowned Miss Universe (in 2022). She also became the oldest entrant to be crowned. She was also the first Miss USA (2022) of Filipino descent. She currently works as a designer creating eco-friendly clothing, and as a model.

 

MARCH 30

Do you know Wilma Pearl Mankiller? Wilma Pearl Mankiller, a pioneering Native American activist, social worker, and community developer, left an indelible mark on the Cherokee Nation and American history. Born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, she experienced the relocation of Indigenous families to urban areas under federal programs, shaping her early understanding of social justice and community empowerment. Inspired by the activism of the 1960s, Mankiller participated in key movements like the Occupation of Alcatraz and supported land and compensation struggles with tribes like the Pit River Tribe, highlighting her dedication to Indigenous rights.

Mankiller's professional journey saw her transition from social work to leadership roles within the Cherokee Nation. Her tenure as the economic stimulus coordinator showcased her grant writing prowess, leading to innovative community projects that empowered rural citizens. Her pivotal role in the Community Development Department fostered self-reliance and problem-solving among Cherokee communities, as depicted in the acclaimed film "The Cherokee Word for Water." Her subsequent election as the first woman Deputy Chief and later Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation marked historic milestones, during which she spearheaded initiatives in healthcare, education, job training, and tribal sovereignty, laying the foundation for modern Cherokee governance and economic prosperity.

Beyond politics, Mankiller remained a passionate advocate for Native American representation and rights, evidenced by her bestselling autobiography and advocacy work on various issues. Her legacy extends beyond her passing in 2010, with numerous accolades recognizing her contributions, including the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom. The decision to feature her likeness on the U.S. quarter-dollar coin underscores her enduring impact and symbolizes a tribute to her lifelong dedication to community, activism, and progress.

 

MARCH 31

Do you know Ora Belle Washington? Ora Belle Washington, a titan of American sports hailing from Philadelphia's Germantown neighborhood, etched her name into sporting history through exceptional prowess in tennis and basketball. Known as "Queen Ora" and the "Queen of Two Courts," she gained recognition in the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame (2009) and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2018).

Born into resilience and passion, Washington turned to sports after the tragic loss of her sister, finding solace and opportunity at the YWCA. Her tennis career soared after claiming victory at the Wilmington city championships in 1924 and defeating the national African American singles champion the following year.

Washington's dominance stemmed not only from skill but also from a unique playing style, highlighted by her unconventional grip and strategic acumen. Standing at 5'7" and 130 pounds, her presence intimidated opponents, while her mastery of overhead play and competitive spirit led to multiple national titles.

Relocating to Chicago in 1929 did not deter her winning streak, as she continued to amass singles championships until 1937.

Ora Belle also played basketball, leading her team (as player and player-coach) to several world championships.

Washington's legacy transcends accolades, symbolizing a trailblazer whose impact resonates through generations of athletes, inspiring them to redefine greatness on and off the court. The legendary Arthur Ashe, one of history’s greatest tennis players, acknowledged Ora Belle as among the best tennis players ever, solidifying her status as a true pioneer in American sports.

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