BLACK IN TIME ONLINE RESOURCE CENTER FOR BLACK HISTORY & CULTURE
Mary McLeod Bethune |
 |
Remembering
Dr. Dorothy Irene Height
Godmother Of The Civil Rights Movement
March 24, 1912 - April 20, 2010
 |
|
"A QUEEN'S WISDOM"
Please feel free to help us expand the SISTERS WHO DID IT FIRST lists by submitting Black Women's History Facts you come across.
Any other Relevant Content about Black Women is also Welcome.
Use The The Form Below:
Any other Relevant Content about Black Women is also Welcome.
Use The The Form Below:
MARY MAHONEY
SCIENCE, MEDICINE & TECHNOLOGY
The First Black Woman to serve as president of the American Medical Association was Roselyn Payne Epps in 1990.
The First woman to lead the National Medical Association was Edith Irby Jones, who was elected in 1985.
The First patent awarded to a Black Woman was awarded to Sarah Goode in 1885 for a "folding cabinet bed" which was similar to a convertible couch.
Bessie Coleman the First Black Female Pilot and the First Person of African American descent to hold an international pilot license.
Willa Beatrice Chappell Brown was the First Black American female to obtain a commercial pilot's license in the USA. (submitted by Sharon Hicks-Bartlett, Ph.D.).
The First Black Woman astronaut was Dr. Mae C. Jemison, who traveled into outer space aboard NASA's space shuttle Endeavor in 1992.
The First Black Woman to serve as chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission was Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, a physicist, who was confirmed in April 1995.
Mary Eliza Mahoney became the First Black American to graduate from a school of nursing, in 1879.
The First Black Woman to serve as president of the American Medical Association was Roselyn Payne Epps in 1990.
The First woman to lead the National Medical Association was Edith Irby Jones, who was elected in 1985.
The First patent awarded to a Black Woman was awarded to Sarah Goode in 1885 for a "folding cabinet bed" which was similar to a convertible couch.
Bessie Coleman the First Black Female Pilot and the First Person of African American descent to hold an international pilot license.
Willa Beatrice Chappell Brown was the First Black American female to obtain a commercial pilot's license in the USA. (submitted by Sharon Hicks-Bartlett, Ph.D.).
The First Black Woman astronaut was Dr. Mae C. Jemison, who traveled into outer space aboard NASA's space shuttle Endeavor in 1992.
The First Black Woman to serve as chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission was Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, a physicist, who was confirmed in April 1995.
Mary Eliza Mahoney became the First Black American to graduate from a school of nursing, in 1879.
Barbara C. Harris
RELIGION
The First Black Woman ordained as as Episcopal priest was the Rev. Pauli Murray in 1977.
The First Black Woman bishop of a major U.S. religious denomination was the Rev. Leontine T.C. Kelly, who was elected in 1984, by the United Methodist Church.
The First Black Woman bishop in the Episcopal Church was the Rev. Barbara Clementine Harris, who was elected in 1989.
The first Black Nun in the U.S. to head a Catholic parish was Sister Cora Billings, who was installed as a pastor in Richmond, Va., in 1990.
The First Black Woman ordained as as Episcopal priest was the Rev. Pauli Murray in 1977.
The First Black Woman bishop of a major U.S. religious denomination was the Rev. Leontine T.C. Kelly, who was elected in 1984, by the United Methodist Church.
The First Black Woman bishop in the Episcopal Church was the Rev. Barbara Clementine Harris, who was elected in 1989.
The first Black Nun in the U.S. to head a Catholic parish was Sister Cora Billings, who was installed as a pastor in Richmond, Va., in 1990.
Hazel Winfred Johnson
ARMED SERVICES
The First Woman to lead American troops into battle was Harriet Tubman durng the Civil War.
The First Black Woman general was Hazel Winifred Johnson, who was appointed in 1979.
The First Black, Woman to reach the position of general through the ranks of the regular U.S. Army was Sherian Grace Cadoria, who was appointed in 1985.
The First and only Black Female U.S. Air Force general was Marcelite Jordan Harris, who was promoted in September 1990.
The First Woman to lead American troops into battle was Harriet Tubman durng the Civil War.
The First Black Woman general was Hazel Winifred Johnson, who was appointed in 1979.
The First Black, Woman to reach the position of general through the ranks of the regular U.S. Army was Sherian Grace Cadoria, who was appointed in 1985.
The First and only Black Female U.S. Air Force general was Marcelite Jordan Harris, who was promoted in September 1990.
Gwendolyn Brooks
ARTS & LITERATURE
The First Black Woman to become a licensed architect was Norma Sklarek in 1954.
The First Black Woman to write a book that was published in America was Phillis Peters Wheatley, a former slave. Her book, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, was published in 1773.
The First Black Woman awarded a Pulitzer Prize was Gwendolyn Brooks, who was cited in 1950 for her collection of poems, "Annie Allen."
The First Black Woman playwright to have her work performed on Broadway was Lorraine Vivian Hansberry. Her play, "A Raisin In The Sun," opened at the Barrymore Theater on March 11, 1959, with Sidney Poitier and Claudia McNeil in the starring roles.
The First Black Woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for fiction was Alice Walker, who was cited in 1983 for her book "The Color Purple."
The First Black American appointed United States poet laureate was Rita Dove, who was named in 1993.
The First Black American to win the Nobel Prize for literature was Toni Morrison in 1993.
The First Black Woman to edit a daily newspaper in a major U.S. city was Pearl Stewart, who in 1992 was named editor of the "Oakland Tribune" in Oakland, California.
The First Black Woman to become a licensed architect was Norma Sklarek in 1954.
The First Black Woman to write a book that was published in America was Phillis Peters Wheatley, a former slave. Her book, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, was published in 1773.
The First Black Woman awarded a Pulitzer Prize was Gwendolyn Brooks, who was cited in 1950 for her collection of poems, "Annie Allen."
The First Black Woman playwright to have her work performed on Broadway was Lorraine Vivian Hansberry. Her play, "A Raisin In The Sun," opened at the Barrymore Theater on March 11, 1959, with Sidney Poitier and Claudia McNeil in the starring roles.
The First Black Woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for fiction was Alice Walker, who was cited in 1983 for her book "The Color Purple."
The First Black American appointed United States poet laureate was Rita Dove, who was named in 1993.
The First Black American to win the Nobel Prize for literature was Toni Morrison in 1993.
The First Black Woman to edit a daily newspaper in a major U.S. city was Pearl Stewart, who in 1992 was named editor of the "Oakland Tribune" in Oakland, California.
Hazel Scott
MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT
The first Black American to win an Academy Award was Hattie McDaniel, who won an Oscar for best supporting actress in 1939 for her role in "Gone With the Wind."
The First Black Woman awarded a Tony Award was Juanita Hall, who won in 1949 for her performance as "Bloody Mary" in South Pacific.
The First Black Woman nominated for an Oscar as best actress was Dorothy Dandridge, who was nominated in 1954 for her role in "Carmen Jones."
The First Black Woman to win an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Lead Role was Halle Berry, for her role in"Monster's Ball."
Hazel Scott was the First Black Woman to host her own network television show, "The Hazel Scott Show," during the 1950s.
The First Black woman to host a national television talk show was Oprah Winfrey, who in 1993 became the first woman to top Forbes' list of the 40 highest-paid entertainers -- $98 million in 1992-93
Marian Anderson was the First Black American to sing an important role at the Metropolitan Opera as a regular company member.
The First Woman inducted into the Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame was Aretha Franklin
Diahann Carroll became the First full-fledged Black American female "star" -- top billed, in which the show centered around her lead character, when she played the role of "Julia."
Hattie McDaniel was the First Black Woman to sing on American radio.
In 1970, actress Gail Fisher became the First Black actress to win the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Peggy Fair, in the TV show, "Mannix."
In October of 2004, Gwen Ifill became the first Black American woman to moderate a vice-presidential debate.
Vanessa Williams became America's First Black Miss America in 1984.
The first Black American to win an Academy Award was Hattie McDaniel, who won an Oscar for best supporting actress in 1939 for her role in "Gone With the Wind."
The First Black Woman awarded a Tony Award was Juanita Hall, who won in 1949 for her performance as "Bloody Mary" in South Pacific.
The First Black Woman nominated for an Oscar as best actress was Dorothy Dandridge, who was nominated in 1954 for her role in "Carmen Jones."
The First Black Woman to win an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Lead Role was Halle Berry, for her role in"Monster's Ball."
Hazel Scott was the First Black Woman to host her own network television show, "The Hazel Scott Show," during the 1950s.
The First Black woman to host a national television talk show was Oprah Winfrey, who in 1993 became the first woman to top Forbes' list of the 40 highest-paid entertainers -- $98 million in 1992-93
Marian Anderson was the First Black American to sing an important role at the Metropolitan Opera as a regular company member.
The First Woman inducted into the Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame was Aretha Franklin
Diahann Carroll became the First full-fledged Black American female "star" -- top billed, in which the show centered around her lead character, when she played the role of "Julia."
Hattie McDaniel was the First Black Woman to sing on American radio.
In 1970, actress Gail Fisher became the First Black actress to win the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Peggy Fair, in the TV show, "Mannix."
In October of 2004, Gwen Ifill became the first Black American woman to moderate a vice-presidential debate.
Vanessa Williams became America's First Black Miss America in 1984.
Mary McLeod Bethune
Education & Scholarship
The First Black woman to graduate from an American college was Mary Jane Patterson, who received a bachelor of arts degree from Ohio's Oberlin College in 1862.
The First Black woman to earn a Ph.D. was Sadie M. Alexander, who received a degree in economics from University of Pennsylvania in 1921.
Sarah Jane Woodson Early became the First Black American female college professor in 1858
She was employed by the Wilberforce University.
The First Black woman to establish a four-year accredited college was Mary McLeod Bethune, who founded Bethune-Cookman College in 1904.
The First Black woman president of the National Education Association was Elizabeth Duncan Koontz, who was elected in 1968.
The First Black president of a "Seven-Sister School" was Ruth J. Simmons, who was installed as president of Smith College in 1995.
The First Black woman to graduate from an American college was Mary Jane Patterson, who received a bachelor of arts degree from Ohio's Oberlin College in 1862.
The First Black woman to earn a Ph.D. was Sadie M. Alexander, who received a degree in economics from University of Pennsylvania in 1921.
Sarah Jane Woodson Early became the First Black American female college professor in 1858
She was employed by the Wilberforce University.
The First Black woman to establish a four-year accredited college was Mary McLeod Bethune, who founded Bethune-Cookman College in 1904.
The First Black woman president of the National Education Association was Elizabeth Duncan Koontz, who was elected in 1968.
The First Black president of a "Seven-Sister School" was Ruth J. Simmons, who was installed as president of Smith College in 1995.
Claudette Colvin
ACTIVISM, POLITICS & LAW
In Montgomery, Alabama, On March 2, 1955, Claudette Colvin At, Age 15, refused to relinquish her Bus Seat To A White Passenger. This happened Nine Months before Rosa Parks did the same thing.
The First Black woman to serve in a state legislature was Crystal Bird Fauset, who was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Nov. 8, 1938.
The First Black to hold two cabinet positions was Patricia Roberts Harris, who held the offices of secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and secretary of Health, Education and Welfare in the Carter administration.
The First Black woman to head a U.S. embassy was Patricia Roberts Harris, who was appointed ambassador to Luxembourg President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965.
The First Black woman to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives was Shirley Chisholm, who was elected by her Brooklyn, N.Y., constituency under the campaign slogan "Unbought and Unbossed" in 1968.
The First Black woman nominated for president of the U.S. was Shirley Chisholm, who received nearly 152 votes on the first ballot at the 1972 Democratic convention.
The First woman and the first Black to deliver the keynote address at a Democratic National Convention was former Congresswoman Barbara Jordan in 1976.
The First Black woman mayor of a large U.S. city was Carrie Saxon Perry, who in 1987 was elected mayor of Hartford, the capital of Connecticut.
The First Black woman to become mayor in the state of Mississippi was Unita Blackwell.
The First woman mayor of Washington, D.C., and the first Black woman mayor of a major city was Sharon Pratt Kelly, who was elected in 1990.
The First Black woman elected to the Senate was Carol Mosley Braun of Chicago, who was elected on Nov. 3, 1992.
The First Black woman lawyer in the United States was Charlotte E. Ray (1850-1911), who was admitted to the bar of the District Columbia in April 1872. She graduated from Howard University Law School that same year.
The First Black woman sheriff in the United States was Jacquelyn Barrett, who was elected sheriff of Fulton County, Ga., in November 1992.
The country's First Black woman judge was Jane Matilda Bolin, who was appointed justice of the Domestic Relations Court of New York on July 22, 1939.
The First Black woman to hold a federal judicial position was Constance Baker Motley, who was named a U.S. District Court judge on August 30, 1966.
The First woman named to the U.S. Court of Appeals was Amalya Lyle Kearse, who was named to the Second Circuit in 1979.
The First Black woman to serve on a state supreme court was Juanita Kidd Stout, who was named an associate justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in 1988.
In Montgomery, Alabama, On March 2, 1955, Claudette Colvin At, Age 15, refused to relinquish her Bus Seat To A White Passenger. This happened Nine Months before Rosa Parks did the same thing.
The First Black woman to serve in a state legislature was Crystal Bird Fauset, who was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Nov. 8, 1938.
The First Black to hold two cabinet positions was Patricia Roberts Harris, who held the offices of secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and secretary of Health, Education and Welfare in the Carter administration.
The First Black woman to head a U.S. embassy was Patricia Roberts Harris, who was appointed ambassador to Luxembourg President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965.
The First Black woman to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives was Shirley Chisholm, who was elected by her Brooklyn, N.Y., constituency under the campaign slogan "Unbought and Unbossed" in 1968.
The First Black woman nominated for president of the U.S. was Shirley Chisholm, who received nearly 152 votes on the first ballot at the 1972 Democratic convention.
The First woman and the first Black to deliver the keynote address at a Democratic National Convention was former Congresswoman Barbara Jordan in 1976.
The First Black woman mayor of a large U.S. city was Carrie Saxon Perry, who in 1987 was elected mayor of Hartford, the capital of Connecticut.
The First Black woman to become mayor in the state of Mississippi was Unita Blackwell.
The First woman mayor of Washington, D.C., and the first Black woman mayor of a major city was Sharon Pratt Kelly, who was elected in 1990.
The First Black woman elected to the Senate was Carol Mosley Braun of Chicago, who was elected on Nov. 3, 1992.
The First Black woman lawyer in the United States was Charlotte E. Ray (1850-1911), who was admitted to the bar of the District Columbia in April 1872. She graduated from Howard University Law School that same year.
The First Black woman sheriff in the United States was Jacquelyn Barrett, who was elected sheriff of Fulton County, Ga., in November 1992.
The country's First Black woman judge was Jane Matilda Bolin, who was appointed justice of the Domestic Relations Court of New York on July 22, 1939.
The First Black woman to hold a federal judicial position was Constance Baker Motley, who was named a U.S. District Court judge on August 30, 1966.
The First woman named to the U.S. Court of Appeals was Amalya Lyle Kearse, who was named to the Second Circuit in 1979.
The First Black woman to serve on a state supreme court was Juanita Kidd Stout, who was named an associate justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in 1988.
Maggie L. Walker
Business
The First self-made Black woman millionaire of the 20th century was Madame C.J. Walker, who made her fortune from a line of hair care products she created.
The First Woman bank president was Maggie Lena Walker, who headed the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank in Richmond, Va., in 1903.
The First Black woman to head a major corporate division was Ann Fudge, who was named president of Maxwell House Coffee Co. in 1995.
The First self-made Black woman millionaire of the 20th century was Madame C.J. Walker, who made her fortune from a line of hair care products she created.
The First Woman bank president was Maggie Lena Walker, who headed the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank in Richmond, Va., in 1903.
The First Black woman to head a major corporate division was Ann Fudge, who was named president of Maxwell House Coffee Co. in 1995.
Florence Griffith-Joyner
Sports
The First Black woman to win a gold medal was Alice Coachman of Albany State Teachers College, who set a record in the high jump competition at 5 feet, 6 1/4 inches in the 1948 Summer Olympic Games in London.
The First Black American woman to win the prestigious Wimbledon singles competition was Althea Gibson, who won in 1957 and again in 1958.
The First American woman to win three Olympic gold medals was track star Wilma Rudolph, a polio survivor, at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome.
The First American Woman to win four medals in one Olympics was Florence Griffith-Joyner, who won three gold medals and one silver medal at the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 1988.
The first Black woman gymnast to win a gold medal was Dominique Dawes, who in 1996, in Atlanta was a member of the U.S. Women's gymnastic team that won its first gold medal in Olympic history.
The First Female Runner to win gold medals for both the 100-meter dash and 400-meter relay in consecutive Olympic games was Gail Devers, who won in 1996 at the Summer Games in Atlanta.
Marcenia Lyle Alberga aka "Toni Stone," was the first African American woman to play baseball with the Negro League (submitted by Sharon Hicks-Bartlett, Ph.D)..
The First Black woman to win a gold medal was Alice Coachman of Albany State Teachers College, who set a record in the high jump competition at 5 feet, 6 1/4 inches in the 1948 Summer Olympic Games in London.
The First Black American woman to win the prestigious Wimbledon singles competition was Althea Gibson, who won in 1957 and again in 1958.
The First American woman to win three Olympic gold medals was track star Wilma Rudolph, a polio survivor, at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome.
The First American Woman to win four medals in one Olympics was Florence Griffith-Joyner, who won three gold medals and one silver medal at the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 1988.
The first Black woman gymnast to win a gold medal was Dominique Dawes, who in 1996, in Atlanta was a member of the U.S. Women's gymnastic team that won its first gold medal in Olympic history.
The First Female Runner to win gold medals for both the 100-meter dash and 400-meter relay in consecutive Olympic games was Gail Devers, who won in 1996 at the Summer Games in Atlanta.
Marcenia Lyle Alberga aka "Toni Stone," was the first African American woman to play baseball with the Negro League (submitted by Sharon Hicks-Bartlett, Ph.D)..
