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The first slaves arrive
In 1619, the first slaves were brought to the colonies to Jamestown to serve as forced labour beginning the history of African american women in the united states. -
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The Era of Slavery
Slavery continued to exist in America during this time periods, severely hindering African American women's ability to achieve. It would be hindered by the Emancipation proclamation and removed with the 13th admendment -
Elizabeth Key Grinstead
in 1655, Grinstead becomes the first African American woman to successfully set a precedent by being able to sue for freedom under the concept that her father was white. However, her precedent also caused the grip on slaves to tighten as soon afterword the house of burgesses set a law that stated slavery followed the mother's status. -
Lucy Terry
Lucy Terry creates the oldest work of literature by an African American woman called "Bars Fight." It was originally passed orally, but eventually in 1855, it was published as a book. Bars Fight is a poem that depicts a native American Raid on a white household. -
Phillis Wheatley
Phillis Wheatley becomes the first published African American female poet. Although a slave, she was educated and use it to write works such as "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral." She become widely acclaimed and read in America and the United Kingdom, even becoming complimented by George Washington. Her significance is that she sets a precedence by showing all African American Women, even slaves have the opportunity to write literature that has potential to become famous. -
Sojourner Truth
Sojourner Truth began to advocate for African American and women's rights. She was one of the first women to go out and openly protest against slavery. However, she also promoted women's rights, demanding that they receive the same treatment as white males in "Ain't I a woman?." She would travel around the country advocating for rights. -
Gabriel Prosser's Revolt: Loss of Education
A Virginian slave named Gabriel Prosser planed a revolt, however it was discovered and all those who were going to take part were hung. As a result of this slave rebellion, slave's educational opportunities are limited further, and many other restrictions are placed to prevent rebellions. All hinder black women from achieving . -
Harriet Tubman - The Legend Begins
Harriet Tubman was famous for her efforts as an abolitionist. She worked in the Underground Railroad, aiding blacks escaping slavery. She also promoted the abolition of slavery, working as a nurse during the civil war. She would serve as a role model for many black women to stand up and do something. -
African Dorcas Association: The Beginnings of Participation
African women began to take part in civil society in the early 19th century. The African Dorcas Association was one such organization. They attempted to promote education among black youth, sowing uniforms for them. This also began a movement where black women were independent from men as this movement was run by women without much male supervision. Helped increase the independence and education of African American girls. -
Oblate Sisters of Providence
Founded by Mary Elizabeth Lange, this organization focused both on the education of African America women, but also religion. This was one of the first Roman Catholic Institutions specifically created for African American women. -
Lucy Stanton - The College Dream Possible?
Lucy Sessions is the first African American Woman to achieve a college degree from Oberlin College. -
Roberts v. City of Boston - The Beginnings of "Separate But Equal"
In 1850, a man named Benjamin Roberts attempted to achieve an equal education for his daughter, Sarah Roberts, who was denied under the grounds of race. However the court ruled with the City of Boston, arguing the separate but equal doctrine, setting a precedent of separate but equal. -
Uncle Tom's Cabin - Harriet Beecher Stowe
Harriet Beecher Stowe writes the anti slavery novel depicting the horrid conditions of slavery with the character uncle Tom. It would help fuel the anti-slavery movement and instantly became a massive success, selling 300,000 in the United States and 1,000,000 in the UK. -
First Dedicated Color School
On May 29, 1854, Elizabeth Thorn Scott-Flood learned that her children could not use Sacramento Public Schools due to their color. In response Thorn Scott-Flood establishes her own school for children of all colored races, for Asians, Blacks and Latinos. -
The Rise of Ida B. Wells
Wells was a famous journalist who investigated and advocated against lynchings. She would write pamphlets and articles depicting its horrors, and one of her namesake work includes "Southern Horrors: Lynch Law in All Its Phases." She would attend conventions speaking out against it. She was also noted for promoting women's activism, eg forming the "Alpha Suffrage Club of Chicago." -
Emancipation Proclamation - The Beginning of the End
After the Battle of Antietam, Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation announcing that all slaves in the south would be freed. It would be the beginning of the end of slavery. -
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Reconstruction
During Reconstruction the Radical Republicans attempted to integrate blacks and the south back into the United States. African Americans would receive civil rights and education. It would end with the compromise of 1877. -
The Freedman's Bureau
The purpose of the Freedman's bureau was to aid blacks in resettling the south, however the most important part of the Freedman's bureau was education. It provides free quality education for blacks It help turn many blacks into literate people. It would collapse after Andrew Johnson vetoed its renewal. -
13th Amendment - The End
All forms of slavery is formally banned, all slaves are freed. -
Madam C. J. Walker
Madam C. J. Walker becomes the first self made African millionaire with her business "Madame C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company." Using her money, he would donate to further the Civil Right's cause and to aid poor blacks, establishing a YMCA for Indiana's black community, and gave speeches encouraging other African American's that the American Dream was possible. -
15th amendment
Under the fifteenth amendment African Americans and many other colored races receive the right to vote, however the vote has not been established for women yet. -
Mary McLeod Bethune
Mary McLeod Bethune is significant for founding a private colored school in Daytona Beach, Florida, but also becoming the first African American woman to be placed in a high federal position under FDR as Director of the Negro Affairs. -
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The "Separate But equal Doctrine" and Jim Crow Laws
The Jim Crow laws effectively integrated the concept of separate but equal in American Society. Although argued that blacks could be separated with whites provided both have the same conditions, blacks would more often than not receive worse conditions than whites, and had their civil rights and educational opportunities limited as a result. -
Bessie Smith
Bessie Smith was a famous blue's singer, who was well known for her "Contralto" voice. She would be most popular during the 1920's and 1930's and would influence many black musicians and singers to come. -
The Atlanta Exposition Adress
Brooker T. Washington encourages blacks to join the workforce. He encouraged blacks to accept the Jim Crow laws, but at the same time to work hard and to elevate their position using it. He encouraged the blacks to become educated and cultivate skills mainly based on industry to obtain jobs. -
The Talented Tenth
W.E.B. Dubois advocates for blacks to become educated through the classic style of education rather than the industrial type of education. He encouraged other blacks to participate in social movements, to continue their education or write books. Using this method, they could elevate their position. -
Ella Baker
Ella Baker was a famous Civil Rights activist who believed in non-violent protests. She would help grow NAACP by helping it grow members, and she would later join King's SCLC and form SNCC, the latter group whom would later participate in the Greensboro sit in. -
NCAAP
In 1909, W. E. B. Du Bois, Mary White Ovington and Moorfield Storey all create the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to end the discrimination of blacks and to protect and regain their civil liberties. They would send lawyers to cases, lobby, and aims to remove black racism. -
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The Great Migration
Many blacks moved from the North to the South because of racism, Jim Crow Laws, and the search for jobs. World War I, and World War II, as well as the economic expansion of the 50s helped provide many new jobs for African Americans, provided they moved North. -
Rosa Parks
Famous for refusing to give her seat to a white passenger and was arrested as a result. Helped fuel the civil rights movement. -
The 19th Amendment
Congress ratifies the 19th amendment preventing the federal government or any states from denying women the right to vote just because they are of the female race. -
The Civil Rights Act of 1964
LBJ passes this bill to end discrimination based on color, gender, religion, and color. It formally ended segregation and almost guaranteed the rights of minorities. -
Coretta Scott King
Famous wife of MLK. Like her husband, she sought to achieve equality for women After King died, she would help lead the Civil Rights Movement and the Women's Movement, opposing Apartheid , and promoting LGBT rights. -
Maya Angelou
Was a famous award winning author who wrote "Why the Caged Bird Sings" which became first non fiction bestseller written by an African American Woman. She would also write many other critically acclaimed literacy work and would work to further black civil rights. -
Hattie McDaniel
Becomes the first black woman to win the Oscars by playing Mammy in "Gone With the Wind." -
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey through her show has become the richest African American Woman. She popularized tabloid talk shows. Through her talk show, she managed to obtain a large following, and giving her enourmous political sway. For example in 2008, her endorsement of Obama helped him by 1,000,000 votes. She has also served as a role model. -
Brown v. Board of Education
Separate but equal is declared unconstitutional, African Americans and Whites must use the same facilities, and it would done imminently, as enforced in Brown v Board of Education II. -
Wilma Rudolph
Racing in the 1960 Olympics, Wilma Rudolph becomes the first African American Woman to receive 3 gold medals. -
Michelle Obama
Famous former first lady of the United States. Famous for supporting her husband's journey to the white house and providing emotional support during his presidency. She also used her position to influence America, advocating the lessening of poverty and emphasis on nutrition giving speeches on it as well. -
Voting Rights Act of 1965
LBJ passes the law to protect the voting rights of minorities and ensured that they would not be prevented from voting by poll taxes, grandfather clauses, or literacy tests. -
First African American Woman Serving in Congress
In 1969 Shirley A. Chisholm becomes the first African American elected representative in the federal government, serving in the house of reps for New York. -
Beyoncé
Famous and critically acclaimed pop singer selling over 100 million records. She has since become the highest paid African American musician.
