We are well into our second month of 2021 and continue to grapple with a world of unbalanced privilege and opportunity. February, in addition to being the month of love, is Black History Month. February is our opportunity to not only acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of contemporary and historical Black leaders in America, but it is a chance to fully illustrate that Black History is American History. The arts. Politics. Civil rights. Education. Athletics. Business. The fields in which Black leaders have contributed are infinite. Yet, there are many contributions that have been overlooked in textbooks and undervalued by society. These advancements are felt throughout the United States and have had a direct impact on the lives of us all.
Shirley Chisholm, the first African American female to run for President of the United States in 1972, fought throughout her life for civil rights and equal rights for women. Madame C. J. Walker, the first self-made female millionaire, created beauty products that improved the lives of Black women in America. Walker, not only an entrepreneur, dedicated her life to philanthropy and the advancement of civil rights. John Mercer Langston became the first Black lawyer in 1854. Hiram Rhodes Revels became the first African American senator in 1870. Hattie McDaniel, an actress, was the first African American to win an Academy Award in 1940 for her work in the movie, Gone with the Wind. Most recently, just last month, Kamala Harris became the first African American and Asian American woman to serve as the Vice President of the United States.
The list of achievements is long and impressive. In 1957, it was finally decreed that Americans could marry outside of their race, due to the efforts of Richard, a white male, and Mildred Loving, a Black and Native American female. The Loving vs. Virginia case made it to the Supreme Court and sought to overrule laws that forbid interracial marriage. Richard and Mildred faced discrimination, separation, violence, and uncertainty as they fought for the right to be married and live together as one family.
Our country has benefitted from the contributions of Black leaders beyond measure. Their historical and contemporary significance exceeds the limits and confines of one month.
To learn more about Black History Month and the leaders who fought for recognition and equality, check out the display at Eberly Library or visit the links below that were used to compile information for this essay.
- Black History: https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-facts?li_source=LI&li_medium=m2m-rcw-history
- Shirley Chisolm: https://www.history.com/news/shirley-chisholm-career-milestones
- Madame C.J. Walker: https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/madame-c-j-walker
- Richard and Mildred Loving: https://www.biography.com/news/richard-mildred-loving-story
- Black History Month Overview: https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month
- Black History Milestones: https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-milestones
- Reconstruction: https://www.history.com/news/black-codes-reconstruction-slavery
- Inventors: https://www.biography.com/news/madam-cj-walker-black-inventors?li_source=LI&li_medium=m2m-rcw-history
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