With Black History coming to an end, we want to take the time to highlight and celebrate 4 amazing women who were groundbreaking in their lives and careers. From entrepreneurship to inventing products to becoming the first in their field, check out the following list of inspiring women who made history in the United States.
1. Annie Turnbo Malone
Annie Turnbo Malone [UMSL Black History Project Photograph Collection (S0336)]An entrepreneur and philanthropist, Annie Turnbo Malonewas a groundbreaking pioneer in the beauty industry where she created and developed her own line of beauty products. Despite challenges due to her race and gender during the early 20th century (early 1900s), Malone’s passion for beauty and style eventually transformed her into a full-time entrepreneur where she experimented with chemistry and developed products relating to scalp health including her well-known “Wonderful Hair Grower.” She also developed beauty products such as non-damaging hair straighteners, oils, hair stimulants, cold creams, lipstick, and face powders. Finding great success, Malone opened up her own cosmetology school called Poro College, the first of its kind educating on Black beauty and cosmetology while employing many African Americans. Malone was also a champion for philanthropic work and donated to charities while also supporting Black causes. Her legacy serves as an inspiration to women of all backgrounds today.
2. Mae Jemison
Photo Courtesy: WomensHistory.orgMae Jemisonmade history in 1992 when she became the first Black-American woman to travel to space aboard NASA’s Space Shuttle Endeavour. An engineer, physician, and astronaut, Jemison also graduated from Stanford University with degrees in chemical engineering and African-American studies. Highly accomplished, Jermison also studied dance, joined the Peace Corps as a medical officer overseas, and is a public speaker who has received numerous honorary degrees for her work. An inspiring woman to be celebrated, Jermison has also been inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame.
Carole Gistmade history in 1990 when she became the first Black woman to win the Miss USA title, eventually placing first runner-up at Miss Universe that same year. Gist holds a Master’s Degree in Kinesiology and is an adjunct faculty lecturer, pageant coach, fashion model, and entrepreneur. Last summer, Gist was a judge at the Miss USA pageant and is a champion of women’s causes volunteering in her community with organizations that help women in recovery, families in need of food and housing, and women escaping domestic violence.
Born into slavery in 1822,Harriet Tubman’s legacy lives on today. Known as an advocate for equality and an abolitionist, Tubman is the most well-known of the Underground Railroad’s (secretive network & routes) conductors where she helped many enslaved people escape to their freedom in the North. Fierce and resilient, Tubman also served as a nurse for the Union Army and acted as a spy for the Union providing vital information on the Confederate Army’s activities. Tubman also helped in the establishment of schools for Blacks and played a huge role in the women’s suffrage movement for Black women. Of her many accomplishments, she will always be known for her courage and determination in helping slaves through the Underground Railroad seeking freedom.
Check out our list here to learn more about Black pioneers in the United States.
Jenny Castro is a part of the editorial team for Latinitas Magazine. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Justice from Central Washington University, and also holds a certificate in women’s entrepreneurial studies from the University of Washington. Jenny has a passion for storytelling, and loves highlighting diverse topics such as historical events, pop-culture, music, film, and leaders in the Latino community. She strives to provoke thoughtful and factual genuine storytelling in her pieces and takes pride in researching truth and authenticity. In her free time, she spends time reading her favorite books, and watching classic Hollywood films. In 2020, Jenny also appeared on the Turner Classic Movies Network where she provided commentary on classic film. She is excited to be a part of the Latinitas team.
