Black History Month: Cassidy's Creative Corner - Black Achievements
February is Black History Month! I believe this is a great time to honor and focus on Black achievements. Some of the things I mention might be new to you, and I encourage you to share them with others.
The telegraph
1887, Granville T. Woods invented the induction telegraph. This allowed train-to-station communication which prevented many railroad accidents.
The lightbulb
You´re probably familiar with Thomas Edison, who is credited with inventing the lightbulb. What you probably don´t know is he only came up with the concept. It was Lewis Latimer who added the carbon filament that made the lightbulbs last longer, making them commercially viable.
Licensed pilot
In 1921, Bessie Coleman was the first Black woman to gain an international permit to fly. Coleman attended the famous flight school Ecole d’Aviation des Frères Caudron in Northern France since no schools in America would train a Black person.
Friday, February 13 from 6pm until 7:30pm. Free event. Register here.
Miss America
Vanessa Lynn Williams was the first Black woman to win the Miss American title on September 17, 1983.
Miss USA
Carole Anne-Marie Gist was the first Black woman to win the Miss USA title. Gist won the title of Miss Michigan USA in 1989 and went on to win the title of Miss USA on March 2, 1990, in Wichita, Kansas.
Astronaut
Mae C. Jemison was born on October 17, 1956, in Decatur, Alabama. Jemison joined the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) program and completed a one-year training program in 1988. In September of 1992, Mae Jemison became the first Black woman in space during her flight on the STS-47, Spacelab-J.
Astronaut
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Robert Henry Lawernce Jr. was the first Black male astronaut. Lawrence was also a test pilot and senior United States Air Force pilot with over 2,500 flight hours.
Dental Surgeon
Ida Gray Nelson Rollins, the first Black female dentist, was born in Clarksville, Tennessee, on March 4, 1867.
There are many more Black American firsts, and I think it's so important to learn about them, and our history. At any time, you can Google these names and read more if you are interested. There are many articles highlighting their lives, and accomplishments. I believe all throughout Black History Month, we should keep these people (and others!) in mind, as they are important parts of our history.
