Discover remarkable African American women in history.
FROM THEIR STRENGTH, OUR INSPIRATION
As Women's History Month comes to a close, the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) draws strength and inspiration from the African American creators, caretakers, entrepreneurs, and athletes who broke barriers while empowering themselves and their communities.
During the month of March, the Museum shared a variety of stories on social media of women achieving “firsts.” We share these with you now, at a difficult time, to nourish your mind and feed your soul. You can read more stories by clicking over to the following social media feeds.
Bessie Blount
Physical therapist Bessie Blount Griffin worked with injured soldiers during World War II and invented an assistive device to help amputees feed themselves.
In 1945, Olivia Hooker became the first African American woman to join the United States Coast Guard and went on to become a university professor. In 1997, she was a founding member of the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot Commission, having survived an attack on her family home in Tulsa at the age of six.
The Hyers Sisters were pioneers of black musical theater who pushed the boundaries of acceptable and expected roles for black and female performers by developing work that moved beyond stereotypical caricatures of African American life.
In 1997, Sheryl Swoopes became the first player to be signed in the WNBA. During her 10-year stint with the Comets, Swoopes accumulated over 2,000 points, 500 rebounds, 300 assists, and 200 steals, garnering three WNBA MVP Awards and three WNBA Defensive Player of the Year awards.
If you want to see more of these stories—like those of Bessie Blount Griffin, Olivia Hooker, the Hyers Sisters, and Sheryl Swoops—consider supporting the National Museum of African American History and Culture! You can be a part of the Museum community's efforts to bring untold stories of African American history to the world by making a special tax-deductible gift today.
