By De'Kree Antone & Daniel Vega
African-Americans have often been overlooked by history, so although it may no longer be African-American History Month, it is never a bad time to appreciate and remember the accomplishments and achievements of each racial group. Especially one with as rich a history and as many accomplishments as African-Americans.
Black American firsts- 1700- early 1900s
1890,Ida Gray Nelson Rollins - first black female dental surgeon
1773, Phyllis Wheately- First published black author/poet
1891-1893,Daniel Hale Williams III- performed the world's first open heart surgeries and owner of the first black owned hospital
1828,Theodore Sedgewick Wright- Graduate of an Ivy league school
1746,Lucy Terry- First poet best known for her book “Bars Fight”
1900,Sgt William Harvey Carney- First to receive the Medal of honor in the Civil war
1870,Thomas Mundy Peterson- First black to vote in the US
1950,Ralph Joseph Bunche- First to win a Nobel Peace prize
1810-1844Francis Johnson- publish musical composition
1890s,Noble Johnson- first major black actor then later founded Lincoln Motion Picture Company
1904,George Edwin Taylor- person to run for the presidency
1863,Robert Smalls- Commission officer in the U.S. Navy
1821,Thomas L. Jennings- First to receive a patent
1880s,Jack Johnson- World heavyweight boxing champion
1913,Madam C.J. Walker- Self made millionaire by selling hair products for black hair
Black American firsts- early 1900s
1902, Harry Lew became the first African-American professional baseball player when he was recruited to the Pawtucketville Athletic Club of the New England Professional Baseball league.
1902, Charles Follis became the first professional African-American football player after playing for the Shelby Blues of the Ohio League.
1903, The first all African-American musical titled “In Dahomey” was performed New York Theatre where it did so well that it eventually went on tour and was performed for the Prince of Wales oldest son.
1906, the first African-American Greek Fraternity named “Alpha Phi Alpha” was founded at Cornell University. Famous members include Thurgood Marshall, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Senator Raphael Warnock.
1908, John Taylor becomes the first African-American Olympic gold medal winner for the U.S. Track and Field Medley Relay Team.
1908, the first African-American Greek Sorority named “Alpha Kappa Alpha” was founded at Howard University. Famous members include Maya Angelou, Rosa Parks, and Kamala Harris.
June 1911, Butler R. Wilson becomes the first African-American attorney admitted to the American Bar Association.
1919, Cora Parchment (NYPD) and Georgia Ann Robinson (LAPD) become the first African-American women to be appointed as police officers.
1936, William Grant Still becomes the first African American to conduct a major U.S. Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
1948, Actor James Remus becomes the first African-American to win an Oscar.
1959, Juanita Kidd Stout becomes the first African-American women appointed to a major U.S. judgeship after she was appointed as the municipal court judge for Philadelphia.
Even though there are many names in this list, there are so many others to find. Seeing all of these accomplishments next to those names will allow you to gain a broader perspective of what you can do for this society. So, we encourage you to not just look at black history on Black History Month, but to always keep that knowledge in the back of your mind. Below are some websites if interested in any more information. Enjoy!
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