Honoring notable African-American men and women who made history

How it began• Carter G. Woodson

wanted to pay tribute to inspirational African Americans from the past.

• He founded Negro History week in 1926 as part of his vision of developing a "history of the world void of national bias, race, hate, and religious prejudice."

• Can you name some famous Can you name some famous African Americans?African Americans?

• What were their What were their accomplishments?accomplishments?

Benjamin Banneker• Parents: Molly

Bannaky and Robert Banna Ka

• Born 11-09-1731 in Maryland

• Died 10-09-1806 in Maryland

• Mathematician

• Astronomer

• Clockmaker

• Publisher

• In 1753, Banneker carved and constructed a working wooden clock that kept accurate time and struck the hours for over 50 years.

• At the age of 58 he began studying astronomy and for five years published an almanac that was a best seller in Pennsylvania to Virginia.

• In 1791, Banneker was a technical assistant in the calculating and first-ever surveying of the Federal District, which is now Washington, D.C.

Accomplishments

Elijah McCoy• Parents: George and

Emillia McCoy

• Born: 05-02-1843 in Canada

• Died: 10-10-1929 in Detroit, MI

• Inventor

Accomplishments• Invented an automatic

lubricator to oil steam engines of locomotives and boats.

• In 1909 he had produced at least 57 patents—more than any other black person.

Garrett Morgan• Parents: Sydney and

Elizabeth Morgan

• Born: 03-04-1877 in Paris, Kentucky

• Died: 07-27-1963 in Cleveland, Ohio

• Business owner

• Inventor

Accomplishments• In 1909 invented first

hair straightener.

• In 1912 patented the safety hood which became known as a gas mask.

• In 1932 patented an automatic traffic signal which he sold to G.E. for $40,000.

Dr. Charles Drew• Parents: Richard and

Nora Drew• Born: 06-03-1904 in

Washington, D.C.• Died: 04-01-1950 in

Burlington, NC• Athlete• Teacher• Doctor• Pioneer in medical

field

Accomplishments• Discovered that

everyone has same type of plasma

• Developed technique for long-term storage of blood plasma

• Developed blood banks

• Set up first blood bank in England

Bill Pickett• Parents: Thomas

Jefferson and Mary Virginia Elizabeth (Gilbert) Pickett

• Born: 12-05-1870 at Jenks-Branch community, TX

• Died: 04-02-1932 at Ponca City, OK

• Cowboy• Rodeo star

Accomplishments• Invented the rodeo

event of bulldogging (steer wresting)

• 1905-1931 was one of the stars of the 101 Ranch Wild West Show

• He was the first black cowboy movie star.

• In 1972 was inducted into the National Rodeo Hall of Fame.

Matthew Henson• Parents: Lemuel and

Caroline Henson

• Born: 08-08-1866 in Maryland

• Died: 03-09-1955 in New York City, NY

• Adventurer

• Explorer

Accomplishments• Colleague of

Commander Robert H. Peary

• In 1909, was first to reach the North Pole

• In 1912 wrote “A Negro Explorer at the North Pole”

Jim Beckwourth

• Parents: Sir Jennings Beckwith and slave mother

• Born: a slave 04-06- 1798 in Virginia

• Died: 10-29-1866 in Denver, CO

• Blacksmith• Scout• Fur trapper• Gold miner• Pioneer of the West• Indian Chief

Accomplishments• In 1850 found passageway

through the Sierra Nevada mountains near Reno.

• In 1856 dictated and published his autobiography “The Life and Adventures of James P. Beckwourth”

• His adventures took him from the everglades of Florida to the Pacific Ocean and from southern Canada to northern Mexico

Phillis Wheatley• Parents: bought by

John and Susanna Wheatley in 1761

• Born: about 1753 in Gambia, Africa

• Died: 12-05-1784 in Boston, MA

• Servant

• Poet

Accomplishments• In 1744 became

the first African American to publish a book

• First African American woman to earn a living from writing

• First woman writer financed by a group of women

Dr. Rebecca Davis Lee Crumpler• Parents: Absolum

Davis and Matilda Webber

• Born: 02-08-1831 in Delaware

• Died: 08-09-1895 in Fairview, MA

• Doctor

Accomplishments• Completed her M.D.

in 1864 at the New England Female Medical College.

• In 1883 she published a medical book that gave advice to women on the health care of their families.

• Practiced medicine for over 30 years.

Hallie Quinn Brown• Parents:

• Born: 03-10-1849 in Pittsburgh, PA

• Died: 09-16-1949 in Wilberforce, OH

• Educator

• Lecturer

• Writer

• Activist

Accomplishments

• 1893-1903 professor at Wilberforce University

• Promoted the Colored Women’s League

• In 1899 she represented the U.S. at the International Congress of Women in London.

• Initiated the drive to preserve Frederick Douglass’ home

Madame C. J. Walker• Parents: Owen and

Minerva Breedlove• Born: 12-23-1867 in

Louisiana• Died: 05-25-1919 at

Irving-on-Hudson, New York

• Entrepreneur• Business owner • Philanthropist• Social activist

Accomplishments• Around 1905 she

developed a scalp conditioner and healing formula called Madam Walker’s Wonderful Hair Grower.

• She eventually had over 3,000 people working as sales agents.

• In 1910 she built a factory, hair and nail salon, and training school in Indianapolis.

Find out more about these accomplished African Americans

• Sarah E. Goode• Alexander Lucius Twilight• Joseph Rainey• Robert Rillieux• Hiram Revels• William Henry Hastie• Patricia Harris• Philip B. Downing• Eugene Jacques Bullard• Sgt. William H. Carney

• Thomas L. Jennings• Daniel Hale Williams• Guion Bluford• Alain L. Locke• Daniel A. Payne• Nat Love• Hattie McDaniel• Marian Anderson• Gordon Parks• Althea Gibson

SourcesSources• http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bhistory/i

nventors/mccoy.htm

• http://www.infoplease.com/spot/bhmfirsts.html

• http://www.blackhistorymonthlogo.com

• http://www.progress.org/banneker/bb.html

• http://en.wikipedia.org/

• http://womenshistory.about.com/