Celebrating Women in Black History Month

During the month of February, Americans celebrate Black History Month to acknowledge the black men and women who have made a difference by helping to shape this country and its values, and who continue to inspire and fight for us to be better. We believe that all women hold the power they need to succeed, and the courage to lead others through adversity. So this month, we will highlight some of the African American women who have not only paved the way for all women, but have shown bravery and integrity in their pursuits in breaking barriers particularly for other women of color.

Jane Bolin was a trailblazer for women of color who practice law — she was the first Black woman to graduate from Yale Law School and became the nation’s first Black woman judge in 1939, according to the New York Times. Ms. Bolin ruled on important Family Court cases throughout her career and worked with former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt to support a program that aimed to root out crime among young boys. In addition, as the Times pointed out, she ruled against the assignment of probation officers based on race. After she retired in 1979, Ms. Bolin volunteered as a reading instructor in New York City public schools for two years and served on the New York State Board of Regents, reviewing disciplinary cases. After a life of groundbreaking achievements, Jane Bolin died on Monday, January 8, 2007 at the age of 98 in Long Island City, Queens, New York.

Dr. Mae Jemison became the first Black woman astronaut to travel into space in 1992, and her accomplishments don’t end there. Today, she’s a doctor, former Peace Corps officer, and engineer. In addition, she leads the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s 100-Year Starship program, which aims to send humans outside of our solar system in the next century. Born in Alabama and raised in Chicago, Jemison graduated from Stanford University with degrees in chemical engineering as well as African and African-American studies. She then earned her medical degree from Cornell University. Jemison was a doctor for the Peace Corps in Liberia and Sierra Leone from 1983 until 1985 and worked as a general practitioner. In pursuit of becoming an astronaut, she applied to NASA. Ms. Jemison left NASA in 1993 and founded a technology research company. She later formed a non-profit educational foundation and through the foundation is the principal of the 100 Year Starship project funded by DARPA and she has also wrote several books for children.

*Some information Wikipedia & Getty Images