Category: Women of Color and Accomplishment Book One

Sojourner Truth 1797 – 1883 American women’s rights activist. She escaped slavery in 1826 and went to court to free her son in 1828. “If women want any rights more than they’s got, why don’t they just take them, and not be talking about it.” Here are some informative links: 2/27/2022 CNN reports on new… Continue reading Sojourner Truth

Polly Jackson birth and death unknown, lived in 1880’s Polly Jackson was an African-American resident of Ripley, Ohio. According to legend, she fought off slave catchers with a kettle of hot water and a butcher knife.

Edmonia Lewis 1844 – 1907 Lewis was the first professional African-American sculptor. Her brother financed her schooling at Oberlin College. While there, she was accused of poisoning two of her white roommates. She was acquitted of the charge but also severely beaten by white vigilantes. Subsequently accused of stealing art supplies, she was not permitted… Continue reading Edmonia Lewis

Carlotta Stewart Lai 1881 –1952 Lai was an educator and administrator in the Hawaiian public schools for four decades and the first African American school principal in Honolulu.  She worked as a teacher and educational leader at a time when these occupations were largely closed to African Americans on the U. S. mainland, and she achieved professional success… Continue reading Carlotta Stewart Lai