Maggie Lena Walker

Alexa

Maggie Lena Walker was an important person in African American History. Maggie was known as Maggie Lena Mitchell before she got married. Maggie was born on July 15^th 1865 in Richmond Virginia. When she got older she got a job a teacher. Then she got a job as an agent for the woman’s Union Insurance Company. Then she got married to a guy named Armstead Walker Jr. They had three children. Only two of them survived, one died in infancy.

Maggie went to a school in Richmond. It was called Richmond Public Schools. Not a lot of kids went there because a lot of them were slaves. Maggie helped show improvements in the way of life for many African Americans. After she tripped and fell on both of her knees while walking up her stairs outside, she died. Maggie Lena Walker died on December 15^th 1934. Maggie was a big help for lots of people.

Shirley Chisholm

Cady L

Shirley Chisholm was a famous African-American. She was born on November 3,1924. She was born in Brooklyn, New York. Shirley Chisholm was not a married woman. She also had a good education. She graduated with a Balchcor of arts degree in 1946. Also she earned a masters degree in elementary education as a teacher. After graduation she became a director of Hamilton Madison children care center.

Shirley Chisholm’s role in African-American history is that she was the First African-American woman to be elected to the U.S. congress. Shirley served in the congress from January 3,1969 to January 3,1983.she was also the first African-American to run for a major party. Shirley also was elected as a democrat to the House of Representatives. An interesting fact about Shirley was that during her political career she fought for woman rights. Shirley Chisholm died on January 1, 2005. She might not have been really famous but she was important to black history.

Fredrick Douglass

Alex B.

Fredrick Douglass played a large role in the freedom of blacks. Fredricks full name was Fredrick Agustus Washington Bailey Douglass. He was born in Easton Maryland, on February 7, 1817. He died on February 20, 1895, after attending a meeting on women’s rights. In 1837, Douglass met a young women by the name of Anna Murray. The two married after Douglass obtained his freedom. (They had met when he was still a slave.) For education, Douglass learned to read from some of the white children on the plantation where he lived. Later in his life, Fredrick became a writer, publisher, and statesman.

Fredrick Douglass thought of all people equally. He pursued this by making speeches for rights of blacks. He did not only make speeches in the U.S., but also in Europe. Fredrick was also a strong abolitionist. The last assignment he ever had at the white house was being a ambassador for Haiti. Fredrick Douglass gave many rights to African Americans.

Booker T. Washington

Samantha B.

Booker T.Washington was an astonishing man. His full name was Booker Taliafero Washington. Or that was his slave name at least. He was born in Hale’s Ford Virginia, around April 15, 1856. He was married three times and had three children. First he was married to Fannie N. Smith of Moben West Virginia. They had one child, Portia M. Washington. Then, after Fannie died, Washington married Olivia A. Davidson of Ohio. They had two boys, Booker T. Washington Jr. and Ernest Davidson Washington. In his earlier years, Booker T. Washington worked as a houseboy. The person he was serving was extremely hard, but Washington listened well, and fulfilled her standards. His master urged him to get an education, and after much urging, he finally did. Soon he found himself on the way to Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute. Washington was a man of many talents, as he was a professor, a writer, a poet, a civil activist and an orator, One quote made by him is, “One man may not hold another man down in a ditch, unless he himself is in the ditch with him.”

he played a very important role in African American history, as he gave several speeches on segregation. He also founded the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute, as well as the National Negro Business League. He wrote his autobiography entitled ‘Up From Slavery.’ It became very popular. So popular that he became the first African American to be invited to the White House. (White southerners screamed they’re protest…) President Theodore Roosevelt invited him. He later became one of President Roosevelts advisors. Booker Taliafero Washington died on November 15,1915.

Sarah Goode

Faith

Sarah Goode was a famous African American. Her full name is Sarah E. Goode. Sarah was born into slavery in 1889. She married Mr. Bearse on March 21, 1889. At the end of the Civil War, as a free woman, Sarah moved to Chicago, and was an owner of a furniture store. She probably didn’t have any education because she was a slave.

Sarah was an inventor. She invented the cabinet bed. As owner of a furniture store she noted that city apartment dwellers often had little space for beds. She described the design as a “folding bed” whose hinged sections were easily raised or lowered. When not as bed, Goode’s invention could also be a desk. Sarah was the first African American woman to be granted a patent by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for her invention. She invented what we call the “ hide away bed” on July 14, 1885. Sarah’s death is unkown.

Rosa Parks

Claire H.

Rosa Parks was an amazing woman who had a huge part in black history. Rosa’s full maiden name was Rosa Louise McCauley, but when she married Raymond Parks it was changed to Rosa Louise Parks. She grew up with her mother, brother, and grandparents. She was born on that same farm in Tuskeegee, Alabama on February 4, 1913. After she married, she finished her high school diplomat in 1934. She worked as the secretary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, (NAACP) in Montgomery, Alabama and she was also a tailor’s assistant at the Montgomery Fair department store.

She became such a well-known woman by doing a simple but very brave thing. When she got onto a bus on December 1, 1955, she got into a seat that was the closest black seat to the front of the bus, along with three other black men. The white part of the bus was filled up, so the bus driver asked her to give up her seat for a white passenger. The other three men moved to a different seat but Rosa refused. Rosa later said.” Many people thought that I was tired, but no, the only tired I was was tired of giving in.” when she refused, she was fined and arrested. That led to a bus boycott led by Martian Luther King Jr. Rosa Parks was also a very interesting person. She was known as the mother of the civil rights movement because of her brave act on the Montgomery bus. Rosa also had double fame. She had a part in black history and women’s rights. Rosa Parks died in Detroit, Michigan on October 24, 2005 and is still remembered as a ver y brave and courageous woman.

Scott Joplin

John S.

Scott Joplin played an important part in African American history. He was born in Texas 1868. His father was a slave when Scott was a boy and Scott and his father had to move from their farm to get away from slavery. Scott also went to Lincoln high school. Then he went in a group to be in a band only for a year though. After he was kicked out of the band he made his own band and dances as a part time job though. His real job was being a lawyer. After a while he won 10,000 dollars on an opera prize and then everybody knew who he was after he won all that money. He bought a new piano and he saved the rest in the bank.
Scott was a piano player, made two opera songs, and also played a cornet. He also encouraged RagTime and Amanda music and published Crumbs Sensation. There is a festival in Missouri. Scott made many other things like an important part of an opera but nobody notice until 1911. In 1913 he made three other opera songs. He died in 1917.

Marshall, Thurgood

David S.

Marshall Thurgood was the first African American Judge. Thurgood was born in Baltimore Maryland, July 2, 1908. Marshall died in Arlington Virginia. He married Vivian Burey. They were married for 25 years. Vivian died of cancer in 1955. Thurgood went to the University of Maryland, Law School to be a judge. Marshall spent his years as a lawyer.

Thurgood was the first African American Judge of the United States Court. Marshall was on a team of lawyers in the historical Supreme Court trail concerning school desegregation, Brown V. Board of learning. As a result of the trial, the doctrine in public education was overthrown after a successful career as a lawyer and judge fighting for civil and women’s rights. Marshall was appointed the high court in 1967. On the high court, Marshall continued his fight human rights until he retired on June 27, 1991. In 1965, President Lyndon B, Johnson appointed Marshall the U.S. solicitor general. In this position, Marshall won 14 of the 19 cases that he argued for the government. Marshall was appointed to the Supreme Court in June 1967. In the court, Marshall continued his fight for man and woman rights until he retired on June 27, 1991. He had served on the Supreme Court for 24 years. Marshall died of heart failure at the age of 84. He is buried in Arlington Virginia, near the graves of other Supreme Court Justices.

Crispus Attucks

Haley M.

Crispus Attucks played/ plays a role in African American history. Crispus was born in Farmington, Massachusetts in 1723 (date unknown). Crispus’ nickname was/ is “blood alley.” His mom was belonging to a Native American tribe. His dad (living with the tribe his mom belonged to) was a Native American. He had a brother who died very young. His sister lived a normal life (long life). Crispus grew up to marry Abigail (Abbie) Badger. Together they had 5 kids! Crispus was and activist with and education unknown.

Crispus became famous for one important reason. He was the first to die because of the Revolutionary cause. As a teenager/ young adult he escaped his “owner” in Farmington, Massachusetts to go to sea. He then became a whaler and a rope maker. They say that when he died that he was burried with honor (for being the first to die because of the Revolutionary cause. He died on March 5^th, 1770 in Boston, Massachusetts. He had a monument built in his honor! His and many other deaths were named The Boston Massacre.

Harriet Tubman

Britttany T.

Harriet Tubman was a very important person. Araminta Harriet Greene Tubman was Harriet Tubman’s real name. Harriet Tubman was born in 1820 or 1821 in Dorchester County, Maryland. She was the fifth child out of eleven children! Her parents were Ben and Harriet Greene Ross.

She was an Abolitionist and she married John Tubman. Harriet was known for running the Underground Railroad and setting a bunch of slaves free including herself! People were out to get her just because she set slaves free, and there was a forty thousand dollar reward for her capture! Harriet Tubman died on March 10, 1913 in Auburn, New York.

W.E.B. Dubois

William

William Edward Burghardt Dubois was a famous black. He was born on February 23,1868 in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. W.E.B. Dubois wasn’t married meaning he had no family. He graduated from Harvard University with a master’s degree and Ph.D. He was a writer, historian, and teacher.

W.E.B. Dubois was a founder of the NAACP. The NAACP stands for National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. He also wrote his thesis and titled it “ The Suppression of the African Slave in America. During his career as a writer he wrote the famous book called The Souls of Black Folks. W.E.B. Dubois was a famous black, he died on August 27, 1963 in Ghana, Africa.

Guion Bluford

Sami T

Guion Bluford is a very interesting person, and played an important role in African American history. His full name is Dr. Guion Stewart Bluford Jr. Guion was born on November 22^nd, 1942, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Guion graduated from Overbrook Senior High in 1960 and got a degree in aerospace. Bluford was the first African American in space. He became an official astronaut in August 1979. Guion had an interesting life even before he was an astronaut. Before he was an astronaut he was a pilot for the air force. He flew 4,800 hours on several different jets. He also got a degree from a class he had. He got that degree in 1959. Dr. Bluford played a very interesting role in African American history. In fact he was the very first African American in space. He became a NASA astronaut in 1979. He received many medals and awards for being an astronaut. Bluford is still alive and is happily married to Linda Tull and has two kids.

Louis Armstrong

Kaitlyn

Louis Armstrong was a very important person in African American history. His full name was Daniel Louis Armstrong, and he was nicknamed Satchmo. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on August 4, 1901. When Armstrong was a baby his farther William Armstrong left his family. When Louis was a kid he went to a reform school. When he was fourteen years old he sold papers, unloading boats, and selling coal from a cart. When he got older he learned from many different mentors, like Joe Oliver and Peter Davis. Armstrong had married Lillian Hardin in February of 1924. He had played a trumpet for many different people and crowds when he was an adult.

His role in African American history was that he made a whole lot of music for everyone. He was very famous for a long time. He even won awards after he died! Armstrong was a Great jazz trumpet player and composer. Louis won the 1964 Male Vocalist Grammy Award for Holly Dolly! Armstrong recorded many hit singles that were inducted into the Hall of Fame. Sadly he died on July 6,1971. Luckily for Louis he died when he was in his sleep in his house in Carolina.

Jackie Robinson

Lauren

Jackie Robinson was a famous African-American. Jackie’s full name is Jack (jackie) Roosevelt Robinson. He was born on January 31, 1919 in Cairo, Georgia. Jackie Robinson had five brothers and sisters. He was the youngest out of all of them. Jackie was a baseball player and a lieutenant in the army. Jackie Robinson died on October 24, 1972 in Stamford, Connecticut.

Jackie Robinson is an important person. He was the first African- American to play Major league baseball. Jackie played for the New York Dodgers. Jackie played for the New York Dodgers for 10 years. He played with the New York Dodgers his whole career, and won 6 World Series. He played against the New York Yankees during an exhibition game. In 1949 Jackie’s batting average was .342. During World War || Jackie served in the U. S. Army. He served from 1942-1945. Jackie Robinson was put in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Jackie Robinson was a very important African- American.

Madame CJ Walker

Sierra

Madame CJ Walker was an African American. Madame CJ Walker’s real name is Shara Breedlove, but is still known as Madame CJ Walker. Madame CJ Walker was born in Denver Colorado, on December 23,1867. Her parent’s died when she was 7, she was married at the age of 19, and she had a daughter. She was widowed at the age of 20, so she had a hared and brutal life. Her education was not so good, Because she did not go to school. She moved to Denver Colorado and started a hair and scalp ointment. The factory soon grow but she moved to Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.

She employed thousands of people. Walker eventually moved to New York, and became an active influencing the arts and philanthropy. She helped many cuses, started scholarships, helped the NAACP, The Tuskegee institute, Bethune-Cookman Collage. Madame CJ Walker’s manufacturing company is no longer a business. She made hair and scalping products for black women. Her pearent’s died from yellow fever. Her parent’s also had been slaves on Robert W. Burneys Madison Parish farm which was during the Civil war.(George Washington died on the Tuskegee instut, that’s why it is famous.) After the Bloody East St. Louis Race riot of 1917, Madame Walker devoted herself to having lynching made a federal crime. She was a key note at many national Assoseatiors of colored people. ``I got myself a start by giving me a start.” Said Walker one day. Madame CJ Walker died May 25,1917, In New York.

Jesse Owens

Mitchel C.

Jesse Owens was an African American Olympic track runner. He was born in Alabama 1913. His real name was James Cleveland Owens, or J.C. Born the son of a sharecropper. At the age of 9, he and his family moved to Cleveland, Ohio. He went to Ohio state university. He had different jobs on his spare time, like loading freight cars, repairing shoes, and delivering groceries. Jesse’s real job was run track in the Olympics.

Jesse had a big African American History role. He set world records! He raced probaseball players, motorcycles, and race horses. He gave them a 10 yard head start, then bet them. He won four gold medals in one season. Jesse Owens died March 31, 1980, at the age of 66 in Tucson due to cancer.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Mikelle L

Martin Luther King Jr. played a big role in African America History. Martin was born in Atlanta George on January 15, 1929. Martin gradated when he was only 15 years old. He then entered collage at Morehouse. He gradated in 1945 from Morehous collage. Martin got married to Coretta Scott and had four children Yoland, Martin III, Dexter, and Bernice. Martin then became a Minster in Alabama.

The role Martin played in black history was he formed a buscott and protested to get blacks all the rights the whites had. Martin is most of all Known for his speech ”I Have A Dream”. After that Martin was awarded the Noble prize. He was the youngest person awarded that prize. Sadly Martin was assassinated on April 4, 1968 in Memphis Tennessee in his home. Today we celebrate a day just for Martin Luther King Jr.

George Crum

Dan K.

George Crum was a famous African American inventor. His full name is George Speck Crum. George Crum was born in Saratoga Lake, New York in 1822. He had no education because he didn’t have to go to school. He never got married and never had kids.

George Crum worked at the Moon Lake Lodge Resort in Saratoga Lake, New York. He invented the potato chip there. He was the head chef until he had his own restaurant. He opened his own restaurant called Crum’s House. He closed his restaurant in 1890. He died 24 years later on July 22, 1914 at the age of 92.

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James Baldwin

Natasha V.

James Baldwin was well known in African American History. James Baldwin was born on August 2,1924 in Harlem New York. James’s full name is James Arthur Baldwin. James Baldwin grew up with a stepfather named David Baldwin, has never seen his biological father, and is the oldest of nine children. James had an education of graduating from high school. James Baldwin had many jobs including a Novelist, short story writer, play writer, poet, painter, and was a preacher at Fireside Pentecostal church in Harlem, New York.

James Baldwin is well known for the first book he published called“ Go tell it on the mountain”. James Baldwin was an African American author who wrote about the struggle of being black in America. James Baldwin has published 7 novels called “ Go tell it on the mountain”, the first book he published in 1953, “The fire next time”, “ Tell me how long the train’s been gone”, “Another country”, “ Giovanni’s room”, “ If bale street could talk” , and “Going to meet the man”. James Baldwin marched with Martin Luther King J.R, in Washington D.C. On December 1, 1987 James Baldwin died of stomach cancer when he was 63 years old. James Arthur Baldwin died in his home in saint Paul.

Sojourner Truth

Nisha C.

Sojourner Truth played a very big role on black history. Sojourner Truth was born in 1797 as Isabella Baumfree. Sojourner Truth married Thomas in 1815. They had 5 children together. Sojourner Truth did not have an education because she was a slave. She worked as a preacher. She also worked as a housekeeper. Sojourner helped black Union Solders obtain supplies.

Truths role in Black History was very big! She was the first black woman to lecture against slavery. She also fought for woman’s rights. Sojourner spoke only Dutch until she was sold while being in slavery. Sojourner was six feet tall, very unusual for a woman! In her preaching days sojourner made a speech called,” Ain’t I a woman?’’ In Sojourner’s speech she had said,’’That man over there says that a woman need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place every where. Nobody ever done all that for me! And Ain’t I a woman?’’ Sojourner was a very strong woman. She died November 26,1883. Right inside of her home. She was 105! Sojourner Truth made a lot of things possible for black and white woman.

March 2007