Did you know Bessie Coleman is the first black person to earn an international pilot’s license? When U.S. aviation schools refused to admit her, she learned French on her own and traveled to France to attend flight school. She became known as “Queen Bess” for her death defying air shows and incredible flight stunts.
Black History 365 | #59 Althea Gibson
Did you know Althea Gibson was the first Black player to win the French (1956), Wimbledon (1957–58), and U.S. Open (1957–58) singles championship? Gibson won eleven majors—five singles, five doubles, one mixed—and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1971. Her reign was during the Jim Crow era. AND she also became the first black player to compete on the women’s professional golf tour. Talk about a legend in two games like I’m PeeWee Kirkland huh? Incredible. This was all during the Jim Crow era. She was changing society. In her autobiography though, she states "I have never regarded myself as a crusader…I don't consciously beat the drums for any cause, not even the negro in the United States."
Black History 365 | # 58 Serena Williams
Black History Year 365 | # 57 Hiram Revels
Hiram Revels was the first American-African US Senator. He was born to freed parents in Fayetville, North Carolina. He came up as a minister in educator in Indiana, Ohio, & Maryland. He was appointed an alderman in 1868 and was elected to the Mississippi state senate the following year. In 1870, he was elected to the US Senate to fill a vacancy, that’s when he became the first American-African to serve in congress.
Black History 365 | # 56 Timbuktu
Did you know Africa in the 14th century was an educational hub for the world? When the European Renaissance was starting, Timbuktu was already booming as a cultural, religious haven with high literacy. There were as many as 80 large private libraries. During the beginning of Europe’s medieval times, Africa had manuscripts that included poetry by women, legal reflections, and scientific treatises — reshaping civilizations throughout the world.