Originals! - (Multicultural History & Heroes Collection) by Jessie Carney Smith Smith (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Originals! profiles the lives and accomplishments of hundreds of African American women throughout history in fields including entertainment, business, education, religion, politics, literature and journalism, civil rights, nonprofit organizations, the military, and science and medicine"--

Book Synopsis

Discover and celebrate the achievements of some of America's most inspiring women!

The first female. African American vice president, first U.S. senator, the 83rd U.S. Attorney General, and first black state legislator in Alaska. The first time a black woman and a white band shared the same stage; the first black woman writer to win a Pulitzer Prize; and the first black prima ballerina at the Metropolitan Opera Company. Black women have accomplished incredible things throughout American history.

An important book, Originals! Barrier-breaking Black Women profiles the lives and successes of such notable and iconic women as abolitionist Harriet Tubman, Olympic gold medalist Wilma Rudolph, mathematician Katherine Johnson, organizer and politician Stacy Adams Stacey Abrams, astronaut Mae Jemison, jazz legend Billie Holiday, ballerina Misty Copeland, Vice President Kamala Harris, and also the accomplishments of hundreds of less-famous and lesser-known women. This fascinating read recounts 1,400 achievements, including ...

Gail Fisher, the first black actress to receive an Emmy Award.

Tina Sloan-Green, the first black American woman to compete on the U.S. National Lacrosse team.

Sarah J. (Smith Thompson) Garnet, the first black female principal in the New York City public school system.

Ruth Carol Taylor, the first flight attendant to smash the color barrier.

Rebecca Davis Lee Crumpler, the first black woman awarded a medical degree in the United States.

Camilla Ella Williams, the first black woman to sing with the New York City Opera.

Altha Stewart, the first African American president of The American Psychiatric Association.

Jessie Carney Smith, the first black national president of Beta Phi Mu, the honor society for persons with graduate degrees in library science.

Gwendolyn Brooks, the author of Annie Allen, a book of poetry that won the first Pulitzer Prize awarded to an African American.

Jeanine McIntosh-Menze, the first African American female aviator in the U.S. Coast Guard's 215-year history.

The story of black women in America is one of struggle and obstacles overcome. It's a story of great achievement and soaring heights. Let Originals! inspire and educate you as it shares the stories and breakthroughs of hundreds of black women in American history!! With more than 210 photos and illustrations, this enlightening book also includes a helpful bibliography and an extensive index, adding to its usefulness.

Review Quotes

"... provides brief entries on pioneering black women in the US from the early history of the country to the present ... groundbreaking and pioneering women in the arts and entertainment, business, civil rights and protests, education, journalism, the military, organizations, politics and government, religion, science and medicine, and sports ... individuals like Marian Anderson, Bessie Smith, Misty Copeland, Anna Deavere Smith, Oprah Winfrey, Maya Angelou, Madame C.J. Walker, Maggie Lena Walker, Rosa Parks, Ida B. Wells, Michelle Obama, Simone Biles, Kamala Harris, and many others." - Protoview Book News

"The story of black women in America is one of struggle and obstacles overcome. It is a story of great achievement and soaring heights. Originals! gives readers a way to discover and celebrate the achievements of some of America's most inspiring women." - SirReadALot.org