Black Women’s History is Year Round
By: Caroline Jones, WOMEN’S WAY Communications and Events Intern
Throughout Black History Month this year, WOMEN’S WAY highlighted four Black women on our social media who have made substantial contributions to society and, yet, are not very well known and recognized. While researching these women, we felt compelled to find a way to share their stories in greater depth and memorialize their contributions year-round. As we enter Women’s History Month, WOMEN’S WAY Communications and Events Intern, Caroline Jones, wrote this blog post as a reminder to shine a light on these women — and so many others just like them - all year long.
When it comes to recognizing annual celebrations such as Black History Month, major organizations tend to be redundant in the stories that they tell. There are several major Black history makers from the past who receive constant recognition, and though their praises also deserve to be sung, it is time that we shine a light on some lesser-known names! This Black History Month, we found it crucial to put Black Women at the forefront; which is why I researched 4 career categories that directly impact Black Women, yet have a tendency to lack the representation of Black Women.
The four categories that I chose to focus on were: Education, Entrepreneurship, Activism, and Philanthropy. Though all four of these categories have historically been dominated by white cis men, common history has taught me: While white men are receiving recognition and praise, there is typically a Black Woman behind the scenes putting in the work.
Through my research, I found that all of the Black Women highlighted this year have one big thing in common, and that is resilience. They are resilient Black Women who battle against gender and racial barriers, yet have still made a tremendous impact in history. These women managed to make a name for themselves and it is time we say their names!
THE EDUCATOR: MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE
In recent years, Black women have comprised 68% of associate’s degrees, 66% of bachelor’s degrees, 71% of master’s degrees, and 65% of doctoral, medical, and dental degrees. Black Women have a full understanding of the power of college education, and they continue to strive for that level of success — success that Mary McLeod Bethune dedicated her life to fighting for.
Bethune was a pioneer in the world of education and fought to make detrimental strides within the education industry. Born in 1875 to a family of 15 siblings and formerly enslaved parents, Bethune fought hard to exhibit the endless possibilities afforded to Black Women with proper access to education. Bethune was lucky enough to be sent to school for most of her youth, yet was met with tremendous discriminatory hurdles when it came time to further her learning. Though she couldn’t go the traditional route, Bethune still went on to become an educator, focusing intently on the education of Black Women.
In 1904 with just $1.50, Bethune founded a boarding school for young Black girls named, Daytona Beach Literary and Industrial School for Training Negro Girls. Although this school started with just a handful of neighborhood Black girls seeking out a better way of life, 20 years later it grew into a co-ed college known today as the notable HBCU, Bethune-Cookman University.
Ms. Bethune’s plan to make education accessible to Black Women and Men was not just a local mission: she took her passion for education and racial justice and made history by serving as an advisor to President Roosevelt. After taking this position, she created a department specifically focused on expanding Black children’s education nationwide and extended her expertise to multiple organizations focused on the advancement of Black communities, especially Black women.
Mary McLeod Bethune should go down in history as one of the most influential Black educators of all time. Meeting racial and gender inequities head-on, she fought hard to give many of us a voice and it is our duty to fulfill that mission.
Sources:
https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=72
https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/mary-mcleod-bethune
THE ENTREPRENEUR: URSULA BURNS
Even in the latter part of my career, people would say, “Oh my God, you’re so amazing.” I finally realized that what they were saying, without knowing it, is that in order for me to lead a task force, or to be CEO, they would have to identify me as ‘spectacular’ or else acknowledge that others who look like me, who act like me, who come from where I come from, can be at the table as well. I’m not amazing. I’m here because I’m as good as you.
This quote comes from Ursula Burns, who made history in 2009 by becoming the first Black Woman CEO of a Fortune 500 Company.
Burns came from humble beginnings. She was raised in a New York housing project by two immigrant parents who encouraged the importance of education in her life. Burns went on to receive higher education at Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute, followed by a master’s degree from Columbia University. Burns’ educational strides led her to an internship position at Xerox in 1980, with no knowledge of how far she would advance within the company. From this position, she then went on to successfully navigate the white male-dominated space by proudly being forthright and accepting obstacles as a part of business.
As the First Black Woman to be the CEO of a Fortune 500 Company, Burns felt the pressure of being a “token” and seen as an “exception.” Burns worked hard to let others know the real reason she was able to attain such success is because she deserved it! Today, she talks openly about discrimination within the corporate world and believes that wealthy institutions have an obligation to change fundamentally before they close the race gap within.
Burns has taken a step back from the Fortune 500 life and dedicated her time to community organizations and nonprofits. She has also written a book, Where You Are is Not Who You Are, where she documents her trials and tribulations in hopes of giving other Black Women the keys to success.
Sources:
https://hbr.org/2021/07/im-here-because-im-as-good-as-youhttps://web.archive.org/web/20190503150541/http://fortune.com/2009/05/22/xeroxs-next-ceo-ursula-burns/
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/07/books/review-where-you-are-is-not-who-you-are-ursula-burns.html
THE ACTIVIST: ERNESTINE ECKSTEIN
Black Women have actively fought and been at the forefront of racial and gender justice throughout history. In the 1960s, Ernestine Eckstein recognized and advocated for the importance of intersectionality within LGBTQ+ activism. Her passion for organizing, education, and activism in both Black and LGBTQ+ communities made her a force to be reckoned with.
Eckstein is not often known by name, but more so from this photo in which she sticks out as the lone Black Woman in a 1965 gay picket line in front of the White House. Her sign reads “Denial of Equality of Opportunity Is Immoral” and is a terse, yet accurate phrase to sum up her life’s mission.
Originally from a small town in Indiana, Eckstein moved to New York at 22 with a college friend, thus giving her an opportunity to experience what it felt like to be openly gay. Immediately following her move, Eckstein joined the first lesbian civil organization, the Daughters of Bilitis. Though new to the group, and one of the very few Black Women there, Eckstein advocated loudly for what we now refer to as intersectionality. She was thought of as extremely progressive for her opinions and placed a large emphasis on the inclusion of Black and Trans women in the fight for justice.
With many marginalized communities only passing along their stories orally, we are proud to bring recognition to such an impactful woman. She advocated for those in the LBGTQ+ community to recognize that there is a movement behind their identity, and this movement deserved direct action. It is important that Ernestine Eckstein is recognized for her progressive nature and she deserves to be celebrated!
Sources:
https://makinggayhistory.com/podcast/ernestine-eckstein/
https://epgn.com/2022/02/09/black-history-month-ernestine-eckstein/
https://digitalassets.lib.berkeley.edu/sfbagals/The_Ladder/1966_Ladder_Vol10_No09_Jun.pdf
THE PHILANTHROPIST: PURITY KAGWIRIA
Did you know that Black households donate approximately 11 billion dollars to community organizations annually, even though 60% of Black households hold less than $49,600 in wealth?
Philanthropy is not depicted as a space in which Black people participate, but this is a false narrative. The majority of Black dollars supporting philanthropy go to organizations that relate to Black experiences. This is exactly how Purity Kagwiria began her mission.
Kagwiria is a young Kenyan native known for the huge impact she makes in the lives of women throughout her country. Inspired by real-life occurrences in her community, Kagwiria began her path to philanthropy by interning for the Coalition of Violence Against Women. Her time spent there helped reveal the deep desire she had to fight for gender equality and empowerment for African Women.
From there, Kagwiria served as the Executive Director for Akili Dada, a leadership incubator for young women who are passionate about social change, and now serves as the Director of the ‘With and For Girls Initiative’; the world’s first Africa-rooted Global fund for girl activist across the globe. In this position, Kagwiria has worked hard to reframe power dynamics within philanthropy. She fights to show how much is possible when young women become the focus. Ms. Kagwiria finds power in centering philanthropy around the voices and concerns of young Black women. While Philanthropy is known to be dominated by cis white men, her accomplishments can be noted as groundbreaking, to say the least!
Sources:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/12/11/blacks-prioritize-philanthropy/
https://kw.awcfs.org/article/empowering-young-women-decreases-cases-of-gbv/
What have you learned from these women? Have any nominations for Black women we should highlight next year? Let us know your thoughts and reflections in the comments!
