Maya Angelou was a poet, essayist, and a civil rights activist. I used her poem “The Mask” to tell this story. Thank you Maya Angelou!
Wilma Rudolph was the first African American woman to win 3 gold metals at one single olympics. Thank you Wilma Rudolph!
Hattie McDaniel was the first African American woman to win an Oscar. She was an actress, singer, and comedian.
Katherine Dunham was a dancer, choreographer and social activist. Thank you Katherine Dunham!
Mary McLeod Bethune was an educator, and civil rights activist who founded the National Council of Negro Women. She also was an advisor for President F.D.R. Thank you Mary McLeod Bethune!
Claudette Colvin was arrested at the age of 15 for not giving up her seat on a public bus, before Rosa Parks did. Thank you Claudette Colvin and Rosa Parks!
On September 15, 1963, the 16th street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama were in for Sunday service. Right before 11 am, a bomb exploded. In the basement were 4 little girls who were killed- Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson, and Denise McNair who were fourteen. Cynthia Wesley was eleven; Addie’s sister Sarah surived, but did lose her right eye. The bombing injured over 20 people.