A Celebration of Black History - every month!
JANUARY
Noor Inayat Khan was born in Russia on 2nd January 1914. Of Indian origin Khan moved to Europe before the outbreak of WW1.
She joined the Women's Auxilliary Air Force in 1940 and became a Special Operations Executive in 1943 and, having previous lived in Paris, was sent to France. Captured in Paris, Khan was sent to Dachau and was executed there in 1944 aged 30. For more about Noor Inayat Khan, click here ______________________________________ |
Juanita Jackson Mitchell was an American Lawyer born on 2nd January 1913.
The first black woman to attend law school at the University of Maryland and the first to practice law in Maryland, Mitchell actively worked to eliminate segregation and discrimination in Maryland. For more about Juanita Mitchell, click here ______________________________________ |
Sadie Tanner Mossell was an American Attorney born on 2nd January 1898.
The first black woman to gain admission to the Pennsylvania Bar, Mossell advocated against discrimination and segregation and formed a legal aid bureau for black Americans who couldn't afford a lawyer. For more on Sadie Tanner Mossell, click here ______________________________________ |
Elizabeth Cotten was an American Singer Songwriter born on 5th January 1893.
For more on Elizabeth Cotten, click here ______________________________________ |
Zora Neale Hurston was one of eight children and was born in Alabama, USA, on 7th January 1891.
Hurston gained her BA in Anthropology from Barnard College, Columbia University (where she was the only black student) in 1928. Apart from essays, plays and short stories, Hurston wrote four novels, an autobiography and two books of folklore. Zora Neale Hurston died on 28th January 1960, aged 69. For more about Zora Neale Hurston, click here ______________________________________ |
Ramabai Ranade was born in India on 25th January 1862, and became a Social Worker and Women's Rights Activist.
In 1908, Renade founded the Seva Sedan, a women's organisation for the benefit of underprivileged women and girls, which is still operating today. Ramabai Ranade died in 1924, aged 62. For more about Ramabai Ranade, click here ______________________________________ |
Bessie Coleman was born in Atlanta Texas on 26th January 1982.
Coleman was the first African American woman pilot and the first African American to hold an international pilot's licence. Bessie Coleman died aged 34 when her plane crashed on 30th April 1926. For more about Bessie Coleman, click here ______________________________________ |
Yao Nien-Yuan was a Chinese Writer born on 28th January 1915.
Writing under the name of Nien Cheng, she is most well known for her memoir Life and Death in Shanghai, which told of her life during the Cultural Revolution. For more about Yao Nien-Yuan, click here ______________________________________ |
Machiko Hasegawa was a Japanese Manga Artist, born 30th January 1920
For more about Machiko Hasegawa, click here ______________________________________ |
FEBRUARY
Rosa Parks, Civil Rights Activist, was born in Alabama, USA on 4th February 1913.
In 1955, Parks sat on the bus just behind the seats reserved for white people then refused to give up her seat for a white man. This small act has become an iconic symbol of the Civil Rights Movement. Rosa Parks died on 24th October 2005, aged 92. For more about Rosa Parks, click here ______________________________________ |
Rebecca Lee Crumpler, MD, was born in Virginia, USA on 8th February 1831.
Crumpler was the 1st African American woman to qualify as a physican in the USA and the only African American to graduate from her college. Sadly, there are no known pictures of Crumpler. Rebecca Lee Crumpler died on 9th September 1895, aged 64 For more about Rebecca Lee Crumpler, click here ______________________________________ |
Grace Towns Hamilton, Civil Rights Activist and Politician, was born on 10th February 1907.
Hamilton was the first African American woman elected to the Georgia General Assembly. Grace Towns Hamilton died on June 17th, 1992, at the age of 85. For more on Grace Towns Hamilton, click here ____________________________________ |
Harriet Ann Jacobs, American Abolitionist and Writer, was born on 11th February 1813.
Jacobs began her life as a slave but, sexually abused by her "owner", escaped in 1835 and hid for 7 years in her Grandmother's attic before heading North. She later wrote a book about her experiences. Harriet Ann Jacobs died on March 7th, 1897, aged 84. For more about Harriet Ann Jacobs, click here ______________________________________ |
Sarojini Naidu, Indian Independence Activist, Poet and Politician was born on 13th February 1879.
Naidu was the first woman to become Governor of a State in India, became President of the Indian National Congress and helped establish the Women's Indian Association. Sarojini Naidu died on March 2nd, 1949, aged 70. For more on Sarojini Naidu, click here _____________________________________ |
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Audre Lorde, Caribbean American Writer, Librarian and Civil Rights Activist, was born on 18th February 1934.
Active in Civil Rights, Feminist and Anti-war movements, Lorde's writing addressed issues around racism, sexism and homophobia. She wrote essays and poetry; fiction and non-fiction. Audre Lorde died on November 17th, 1992, aged 58. For more on Audre Lorde, click here ______________________________________ |
Claudia Jones, was Trinidadian born activist and founder of the Notting Hill Carnival, born on 21st February 1915
For more about Claudia jones, click here |
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MARCH
Sameera Moussa, Egyptian Nuclear Scientist, was born on 3rd March 1917.
Moussa was the first woman to hold a university post at the University of Cairo. She organised the Atomic Energy for Peace Conference and wanted to make medical uses of atomic energy affordable to all. Sameera Moussa died, under suspicious circumstances, on 5th August 1952, aged just 35. For more on Sameera Moussa click here ______________________________________ |
Janet Collins
was an American Prima Ballerina and Choreographer born on 7th March 1917 For more on Janet Collins, click here ______________________________________ |
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Kalpana Chawla, was an indian American Astronaut born on 17th March 1962
For more about Kalpana Chawla, click here ______________________________________ |
Margaret Tucker was an Indigenous Australian Activist and Writer born on 18th March 1904.
For more about Margaret Tucker, click here ______________________________________ |
Verda Freeman Welcome was an American Teacher, Civil Rights Leader and Senator born on 18th March 1907.
For more about Verda Freeman Welcome, click here ______________________________________ |
Tcheng Soumay was a Chinese Lawyer, Judge and Activist born on 20th March 1891.
For more on Tcheng Soumay, click here ______________________________________ |
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Dorothy Height, American Civil and Women's Rights Activist, was born on 24th March 1912.
Height was President of the National Council of Negro Women for 40 years. Starting with Anti-Lynching protests in the 30s, she was active for nearly 80 years and was a guest at Barack Obama's inauguration in 2009. Dorothy Height died on April 20th, 2010, aged 98. For more on Dorothy Height, click here ______________________________________ |
Vina Mazumdar, Indian academic, activist and feminist, was born on 28th March 1927.
Mazumdar described herself as a troublemaker and was known for her unconventional teaching methods while lecturing at Patna University. She was a co-founder of the Centre for Women's Development Studies in New Delhi. Vina Mazumdar died on 30th May 1913, aged 86. For more on Vina Mazumdar, click here Photo by Mukul Dube ______________________________________ |
Pearl Bailey, American Actress and Singer, was born on 29th March 1918.
Bailey started singing at 15 and made her Broadway debut in 1946. She played Frankie in the film version of Carmen Jones and won a Tony for her role in the all black version of Hello Dolly in 1968. Pearl Bailey died on August 17th, 1990, aged 72. For more on Pearl Bailey, click here (and to see her fabulous performance in Carmen Jones, click here) ______________________________________ |
APRIL
Alberta Hunter was an American Singer-Songwriter, born on 1st April 1895.
Hunter made 7 albums and performed in the US and Europe. Her songs included Downhearted Blues, a big hit for Bessie Smith. Alberta Hunter died on 17th October 1984, aged 89. For more on Alberta Hunter, click here or click here to listen to Alberta singing Downhearted Blues in 1982 (aged 87). ______________________________________ |
Wangari Maathai, Kenyan Environ-mental and Political Activist, was born on 1st April 1940.
Maathai formed the Green Belt Movement which focussed on conservation and women's rights and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 (the first African woman to do so) Wangari Maathai died on 25th September 2011, aged 71. For more on Wangari Maathai, click here _____________________________________ |
Jayaben Desai, Indian-British Union Activist, was born on 2nd April 1933
For more about Jayaben Desai, click here ______________________________________ |
Maya Angelou
was an American Writer & Civil Rights Activist born on 4th April 1928. For more on Maya Angelou, click here ______________________________________ |
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Sharan Rani Backliwal was an Indian Classical Instrument-alist and Music Scholar, born on 9th April 1929.
In addition to a career as a musician, Rani was also a teacher and researcher. She also collected instruments which she donated to the Indian National Museum in New Delhi. Sharan Rani Backliwal died on 8th April 2008, aged 78 For more on Sharan Rani Bakliwal, click here or click here to listen to Rani play the sarod ______________________________________ |
Jane Bolin was an American Judge, born on 11th April 1908.
Bolin was the first black woman to graduate from Yale Law School, the first to join the New York City Bar Association and the first black woman Judge in the US. She was also an outspoken advocate for Civil Rights. Jane Bolin died on 8th January 2007, aged 98. For more on Jane Bolin, click here ______________________________________ |
Kasturba Gandhi was the wife of Mohandas Gandhi and worked alongside him to improve the conditions of Indians in South Africa. She often stood in for her husband when he was under arrest.
Kasturba Gandhi was born on 11th April 1869 and died on 22nd February 1944, aged 74. For more on Kasturba Gandhi, click here ______________________________________ |
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Norma Merrick Sklarek was an American Architect, born on 15th April 1928.
Sklarek earned her degree in 1950 and went on to own the largest women-owned architectural firm in the US. She was the first black woman elected a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects. Norma Sklarek died on 6th February 2012, aged 83. For more on Norma Merrick Sklarek, click here ______________________________________ |
Sirimavo Bandaranaike was Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and the world's first female Prime Minister, born on 17th April 1916
For more on Sirimavo Bandaranaike, click here |
Raden Ajeng Kartini was an Indonesian Heroine and Women's Rights Activist, born on 21st April 1979.
For more on Raden Ajeng Kartini, click here ______________________________________ |
Pandita Ramabai, Indian Teacher, Writer and Social Reformer, was born on 23rd April 1858.
Among her many achievements, Ramabai founded organisations which provided education, housing and medical help to the poor while campaigning for women's rights. Pandita Ramabai died on 5th April 1922, aged 64. For more on Pandita Ramabai, click here ______________________________________ |
MAY
Lisa Bellear, an indigenous Australian, was born on 2nd May 1961.
Bellear was a writer, poet, comedian and speaker, who documented Aboriginal community life and campaigned for social change. Lisa Bellear died on 5th July 2006, aged just 45. For more on Lisa Bellear, click here photo by Antoinette Braybrook ______________________________________ |
Pritilata Waddedar was a Bengali anti-British Revolutionary born on 5th May 1911.
For more about Pritilata Waddedar, click here ______________________________________ |
Lorraine Hansberry
was an American playwright and author born on 19th May 1930. For more on Lorraine Hansberry, click here ______________________________________ |
Hideko Maehata was a Japanese Olympic Swimmer born on 20th May 1914.
For more about Hideko Maehata, click here ______________________________________ |
Eliza Anne Gardner was an African American Abolitionist, born on 28th May 1831.
Gardner's family were a safe house for the "Underground Railroad", smuggling runaway slaves to safety. She was a great advocate for women's rights and was involved in setting up the National Association of Coloured Women. Eliza Anne Gardner died on 4th January 1922, aged 90. For more on Eliza Gardner, click here ______________________________________ |
JUNE
Dorothy West, an author during the time of the Harlem Renaissance, was born on 2nd June 1907
West was part of the Harlem Renaissance, which gave a voice to black culture in America, and was the publisher of Challenge magazine in 1934. West wanted it said of her "That I hung in there. That I didn't say I can't." Dorothy West died on 16th August 1998, aged 91. For more on Dorothy West, click here ______________________________________ |
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Sarah Parker Remond was an African American Abolitionist, born on 6th June 1826.
Remond's family were free citizens and active abolitionists, and Remond became an anti-slavery lecturer in the US and Britain. At 42, she left Britain for Italy and studied to become a doctor, practicing medicine for nearly 20 years. Sarah Remond died in Florence on 13th December 1894, aged 68. For more on Sarah Remond, click here ______________________________________ |
Phyllis Ann Wallace was a black American Economy Professor and Activist, born on 9th June 1921
For more on Phyllis Ann Wallace click here ______________________________________ |
Lin Huiyin was a Chinese Architect and Writer, born on 10th June 1904.
For more about Lin Huiyin, click here ______________________________________ |
Hattie McDaniel
Oscar winning Actress, born 10th June 1895 For more on Hattie McDaniel, click here ______________________________________ |
JULY
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Maggie Lena Walker
Born 15th July 1867 For more on Maggie Lena Walker, click here ______________________________________ |
AUGUST
Kamala Nehru
Born 1st August 1899 For more on Kamala Nehru, click here ______________________________________ |
Jackie Ormes, was an American Illustrator & Cartoonist, born 1st August 1911
For more about Jackie Ormes, click here ______________________________________ |
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Dr Roberta Sykes
Born 16th August 1943 For more on Roberta Sykes, click here ______________________________________ |
Althea Gibson
Born 25th August 1927 For more about Althea Gibson, click here ______________________________________ |
Amrita Pritam
Born 31st August 1919 For more on Amrita Pritam, click here ______________________________________ |
SEPTEMBER
Queen Liliʻuokalani
Born 2nd September 1838 For more on Queen Liliʻuokalani, click here ______________________________________ |
Delilah Leonium Beasley
Born 9th September 1871 For more on Delilah Beasley, click here ______________________________________ |
Sarala Devi Chaudhurani
Born 9th September 1872 For more on Sarala Chaudhurani, click here ______________________________________ |
Alice Brown Davis was born on the 10th September 1852
For more on Alice Brown Davis, click here ______________________________________ |
Sarah Louise Delany
Born 19th September 1899 For more on Sarah Delany, click here ______________________________________ |
Junko Tabei, was a Japanese Mountaineer, born 22nd September 1939.
In 1975, she was the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest. For more on Junko Tabei, click here ______________________________________ |
Mary Church Terrell
Born 23rd September 1863 For more on Mary Church Terrell, click here ______________________________________ |
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OCTOBER
Lucy Tayiah Eads
Born 4th October 1888 For more on Lucy Tayiah Eads, click here ______________________________________ |
Mary Ann Shadd
Born 9th October 1823 For more on Mary Ann Shadd, click here ______________________________________ |
Saroj Nalini Dutt
Born 9th October 1887 For more on Saroj Nalini Dutt, click here ______________________________________ |
Kamini Roy
Born 12th October 1864 For more on Kamini Roy, click here ______________________________________ |
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Marjorie Joyner
Born 24th October 1896 For more on Marjorie Joyner, click here ______________________________________ |
Marie van Brittan Brown was an American Nurse and Inventor, born 30th October 1922
With her husband, Albert, Brown invented a door entry security viewer that was a precursor to CCTV For more on Marie van Brittan Brown, click here ______________________________________ |
Zaha Hadid was an Iraqi-British Architect born 31st October 1950 For more on Zaha Hadid, click here ______________________________________ |
NOVEMBER
Margaret Burroughs
Born 1st November 1917 For more on Margaret Burroughs, click here ______________________________________ |
Beryl McBurnie
Born 2nd November 1915 For more on Beryl McBurnie, click here ______________________________________ |
Annapurna Maharana
Born 3rd November 1917 For more on Annapurna Maharana, click here ______________________________________ |
Oodgeroo Noonuccal aka
Kath Walker Born 3rd November 1920 For more on Oodgeroo Noonuccal, click here ______________________________________ |
Shirley Graham Du Bois, American Writer, Composer and Activist, was born on 11th November 1896
For more on Shirley Graham Du Bois, click here ______________________________________ |
Cornelia Sorabji
Born 15th November 1866 For more on Cornelia Sorabji, click here ______________________________________ |
Bessie Blount
Born 24th November 1914 For more on Bessie Blount, click here ______________________________________ |
DECEMBER
Ella Baker
Born 13th December 1903 For more on Ella Baker, click here ______________________________________ |
Belle da Costa Greene
Born 13th December 1883 For more on Bella da Costa Greene, click here ______________________________________ |
Bernice Pauahi Paki Bishop
Born 19th December 1831 For more on Bernice Pauahi Paki Bishop, click here ______________________________________ |
Sarah Breedlove Walker
Born 23rd December 1867 For more on Sarah Breedlove Walker, click here ______________________________________ |
... AND SOME MORE GREAT WOMEN ...
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Sanité Bélair was a Haitian freedom fighter and revolutionary, born around 1781
For more about Sanité Bélair, click here ______________________________________ |
Eliza Ann Grier
Born 1864 For more on Eliza Ann Grier, click here ______________________________________ |
Sarah Boone was an African American inventor, born in 1932.
Boone was a dressmaker and not a great deal is known about her life. She had a lasting impact on all our lives by designing an ironing board which she patented in 1892. Sarah Boone died in 1904, aged 72 For more on Sarah Boone, click here (exact dates for Boone's birth & death are not clear) ______________________________________ |
Essie Coffey was an Indigenous Australian Activist, Musician and Film-maker, born in NSW in 1942.
Coffey was a co-founder of the Western Aboriginal Legal Service and of the Aboriginal Heritage and Culture Museum of Brewarrina. She was awarded the Order of Australia medal in 1985. Essie Coffey died on 3rd January 1998, aged just 56. For more on Essie Coffey, click here ______________________________________ |
Raymattja Marika
Born in 1959 For more on Raymattja Marika, click here ______________________________________ |
If I've used any photos that I shouldn't have, please accept my apology and send me a message. I'll remove it immediately if I've breached anybody's copyright.
(This is a non-profit website, designed only to showcase the achievements of women from our past - these are the women who paved the way for us)