Discover and celebrate the achievements of some of America’s most inspiring women!
The first female. African American vice president, first U.S. senator, the 83rd U.S. Attorney General, and first black state legislator in Alaska. The first time a black woman and a white band shared the same stage; the first black woman writer to win a Pulitzer Prize; and the first black prima ballerina at the Metropolitan Opera Company. Black women have accomplished incredible things throughout American history.
An important book, Originals! Barrier-breaking Black Women profiles the lives and successes of such notable and iconic women as abolitionist Harriet Tubman, Olympic gold medalist Wilma Rudolph, mathematician Katherine Johnson, organizer and politician Stacy Adams Stacey Abrams, astronaut Mae Jemison, jazz legend Billie Holiday, ballerina Misty Copeland, Vice President Kamala Harris, and also the accomplishments of hundreds of less-famous and lesser-known women. This fascinating read recounts 1,400 achievements, including …
Gail Fisher, the first black actress to receive an Emmy Award.
Tina Sloan-Green, the first black American woman to compete on the U.S. National Lacrosse team.
Sarah J. (Smith Thompson) Garnet, the first black female principal in the New York City public school system.
Ruth Carol Taylor, the first flight attendant to smash the color barrier.
Rebecca Davis Lee Crumpler, the first black woman awarded a medical degree in the United States.
Camilla Ella Williams, the first black woman to sing with the New York City Opera.
Altha Stewart, the first African American president of The American Psychiatric Association.
Jessie Carney Smith, the first black national president of Beta Phi Mu, the honor society for persons with graduate degrees in library science.
Gwendolyn Brooks, the author of Annie Allen, a book of poetry that won the first Pulitzer Prize awarded to an African American.
Jeanine McIntosh-Menze, the first African American female aviator in the U.S. Coast Guard’s 215-year history.
The story of black women in America is one of struggle and obstacles overcome. It’s a story of great achievement and soaring heights. Let
Originals! inspire and educate you as it shares the stories and breakthroughs of hundreds of black women in American history!! With more than 210 photos and illustrations, this enlightening book also includes a helpful bibliography and an extensive index, adding to its usefulness.
Distinguished in the library profession and recognized educator, author and scholar Jessie Carney Smith is dean of the library and holds the Camille Cosby Distinguished Chair in the Humanities at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. She completed her undergraduate work at North Carolina A&T State University and holds master’s degrees from Michigan State University and Vanderbilt University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. Among Dr. Smith’s numerous awards are the National Women’s Book Association’s Award, the Candace Award for excellence in education, Sage magazine’s Anna J. Cooper Award for research on African American women, and the Academic/Research Librarian of the Year Award from the Association of College and Research Libraries. Her work includes Black Firsts, Black Heroes, The Handy African American History Answer Book, and, with co-author Linda T. Wynn, Freedom Facts and Firsts all published by Visible Ink Press. She resides in Nashville, Tennessee.
