Nora Holt

Burke (1900-1955) was a sculptor, educator, art school founder, and fixture in the Harlem Renaissance. Her bas relief image of President Franklin Roosevelt is permanently displayed at the Recorder of Deeds Building in Washington, D.C. and is the disputed inspiration for the American dime.

In 1942, Earley (1918-2002) became the first Black woman to be commissioned as an officer in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC). After initially serving as a staff training officer, station control officer, and company commander at Fort Des Moines, Iowa, she was promoted to major in September 1943, coinciding with the transition from WAAC to WAC (Women's Auxillary Corps). In 1945, During World War II she commanded the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion (The Six Triple 8) and led the only all-Black, all-female battalion to serve overseas. The 6888th was responsible for sorting and delivering mail to nearly seven million soldiers in the European Theater of Operations. She ultimately achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel, the highest rank available to women in the WAC at that time.

Rice (1954) is an American diplomat, civil servant, professor, and part-owner of the Denver Broncos. She served as the 66th U.S. Secretary of State (2005-2009), making her the second woman in U.S. history to serve in this role. She also served as the 19th U.S. National Security Advisor (2001-2005), becoming the first woman to hold this position. Both of these positions were held during the administration of President George W. Bush. Throughout her career, Rice has made significant contributions to American foreign policy and national security, while also maintaining a strong presence in academia as a professor and director of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University.