Elizabeth Freeman was a nurse and midwife who filed a lawsuit against Massachusetts for her freedom in 1781 and it also led to the removal of slavery.
Elizabeth Freeman
Ona Judge was born to an enslaved family and escaped her enslavement at the age of 22 to President George Washington while he was having dinner with his wife.
Ona Judge
Harriet Tubman attempted to move slaves to liberation in the Underground Railroad. She made 13 trips via the Underground Railroad, leading many slaves to freedom, and was never caught.
Harriet Tubman
Ida B. Wells was a journalist, educator, and activist. She also founded the NAACP, leading to a powerful anti-lynching crusade during the 80s.
Ida B. Wells
Rosa Parks gained recognition for her participation in the Montgomery Bus Boycott leading to a movement against racial segregation. She was arrested on December 1, 1955.
Rosa Parks
Writer and activist Maya Angelou became popular in 1969 after her autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings was published.
Maya Angelou
Nina Simone had a very different voice and she also changed her name once to pursue her career in jazz as a pianist and singer.
Nina Simone
Audre Lorde was known for contributing a lot to the feminist literature. Her writings featured her experiences being a lesbian and confronting problems like racism, homophobia, classism, and misogyny.
Audre Lorde
Wangari Maathai received Nobel Peace Prize for her work in environmental conservation. She was the founder of the Green Belt Movement.
Wangari Maathai
Aretha Franklin was one of the greatest singers and she inspired a generation of singers after her. She was also inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.