Calendar

Smith (1894 - 1937) was known as the Empress of the Blues and was preeminent during the Jazz Age and Harlem Renaissance.

The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) was founded on April 15, 1960. After the student-led sit-ins at segregated lunch counters in Greensboro, North Carolina, and Nashville, Tennessee, ELLA BAKER, then a key figure in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), convinced the SCLC to invite student sit-in leaders to the Southwide Youth Leadership Meeting at Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina, over Easter Weekend in 1960. SNCC was officially formed during this meeting.During the meeting, Baker advised the students to be wary of a "leader-centered orientation" and urged them to focus on grassroots organizing and collective leadership. Again, in 1961, Baker persuaded SNCC to divide its efforts into two wings: one focusing on direct action, such as sit-ins, freedom rides, and peaceful protests, and the other on voter registration, particularly in the rural South.

Dr. Daly (1921-2003), an extraordinary biochemist and trailblazer, was the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. in Chemistry and the first Black person to receive a doctoral degree from Columbia University. Daly's pioneering research, spanning over 20 peer-reviewed publications, covered cardiovascular health, digestion, protein synthesis, and many other areas. Her work advanced the understanding of heart disease, cholesterol, and metabolic disorders.

Johnson (1914-2018), performed instrumental work as an attorney in repudiating the "separate but equal" doctrine in the landmark case Sarah Keys v Carolina Coach Company (1955).

Clark (1917-1983) is well known for her groundbreaking "Doll Tests," conducted as part of her master's thesis at Howard University. Using black and white dolls, she asked children a series of questions to study the psychological effects of segregation on African American children.

Hughes is the first Black woman to head a publicly traded corporation (Radio One, 1999).

Charlotte E. Ray was the first African American woman lawyer in the United States as well as the first woman to be admitted to the District of Columbia Bar. Charlotte attended the Institution for the Education of Colored Youth in Washington, D.C. (now called the University of the District of Columbia) and excelled in her studies.

Cagle (1959) is a Physician, U.S. Air Force Colonel (ret.), NASA astronaut, and educator.

"The First Lady of Song", Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996) was the 20th century's preeminent jazz vocalist renowned for her pure tone, impeccable diction, scat singing mastery, and critically acclaimed interpretations of the Great American Songbook. She was also the first black woman to win a grammy. Over her six-decade career, she set vocal excellence standards, influenced multiple genres, and amassed top accolades including 13 Grammys, 1 Grammy Lifetime Achievement award, and the National Medal of Arts.

Alice Allison Dunnigan was the first Black woman to receive White House press credentials, serving as Washington bureau chief for the Associated Negro Press from 1947 to 1961.

Admiral Howard (ret.) was the first black woman to command a U.S. Navy ship. She was the first woman to be promoted to the rank of Four-Star Admiral in the U.S. Navy and the first African American and woman to serve as the Vice Chief of Naval Operations (2014).

Dr. Granville (1924-2023) was the 2nd African American woman to earn a PhD in Mathematics. During her career, she made significant contributions to the mathematics, space technology, and computer programming fields, including developing software for NASA's project Apollo, working on the first mass-produced computer in the world, and writing computer programs for NASA's Project Vanguard and Project Mercury. During her storied career, she also mentored Dr. Vivienne Malone Mayes and Dr. Etta Zuber Falconer, the 5th and 11th Black women to receive their Ph.D.s in Mathematics, respectively.

Burroughs (1879-1961) was one of the most influential women of the early 20th century. She was a businesswoman, unbowed social and political activist, and a key figure in the women’s suffrage movement.

Powell (1946) was the second Black woman to play on the LPGA tour.

Mary was the first licensed African American nurse in the United States and first African American graduate of an American nursing school. She was born in the spring of 1845 in Dorchester, Massachusetts to freed, formerly enslaved people who relocated from North Carolina for a chance at better civil and economic opportunities for their family.

NASA Astronaut, Geologist, Aquanaut, Athlete, Aviator, and the first Black woman to complete an International Space Station long term mission.

Stanton (1913-2012), a legend in the public library domain. She was the first woman and Black person to lead a Public Library system (Executive Director, Detroit Public Library - 1970) and the first Black President of the American Library Association.