A look at women who made a difference in the world and history.
Women in the last 100+ years have contributed to many things throughout history and we take this time to recognize the many who's positions have been duely noted in history for their contribution from Law to Humanitarian efforts. Here are a few women who have given their contributions to history in the last century:
Dr. Maya Angelou-One of the most prolific African-American poets of our time and she read an original poem she wrote at the request of William Jefferson Clinton at his inauguration ceremony in 1993 titled "On the Pulse of Morning". Dr. Angelou has written countless books many that have been on the New York Times best sellers list for years. You can read more about her work on her personal website at MayaAngelou.com.
Gwendolyn Brooks-Illinois' Poet Laureate came from humble beginnings on Chicago's South Side and gained her literary experience from her mother, Keziah and eventually met some of the greatest literary minds in history like Richard Wright who authored Native Son, and playwright Langston Hughes. She was a fixture as a guest speaker at schools and universities around. Brooks died in 2000 and was due to speak as an honorary keynote speaker at the January 2001 Chicago State University's winter commencement ceremony, and as a tribute to her the ceremony was dedicated in her honor by marking her assigned seat with a banner and flowers.
Jane Addams-This first generation American college graduate moved to the slums of Chicago in 1889 when the beginning of the south side was rapidly filling up with European immigrants fresh off the boats from Europe and other places. Jane wrote tirelessly on the issue of the settlement movement. She acquired an old mansion in the same year she arrived in Chicago, and called it Hull House which sits on the campus of the University of Illinois at Chicago campus on Halsted Street which was converted to a museum and historical center. Jane also had been involved during that heavy period of what was known as the "suffrage movement" and worked tirelessly to bring awareness to social problems and ills that were of high concern back in her time.
Jane died 4 years before the onset of World War II in Europe, but she left a major impact on the world by making people aware of those less fortunate and that they too should never be forgotten. Hull House gets well over a million visitors a year and as a result of Addams work with the poor the University of Illinois founded the Jane Addams School of Social Work as a fitting tribute to a woman who believed in the power of change.
Madame CJ Walker-She was the first black millionaire nearly a century before Oprah Winfrey became famous. She was the daughter of slaves in rural Louisiana before she established a business in Indianapolis. People say Walker invented the straightening comb which wasn't true it was invented by a Parisian named Marcel Grateau so much of history kept attributing her as the one who invented the means for black women to straightening out their hair. She did invent the hair relaxer and softening lotions that many African-American women today use to maintain their hair. Some famous faces like singer and dancer Josephine Baker was using Walker's hair care products and when Madame Walker gained a lot financially she purchased a home in an upscale New York City suburb called Irvington-on-Hudson when blacks were not able to own homes in the upscale part of the city.
Madame Walker also established finishing schools for black girls to learn how to run businesses and to educate them about making money. Madame Walker was a staunch supporter of the NAACP(National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) campaigning against the injustices and lynchings against African-Americans. Madame Walker accomplished things many blacks in her time found to be imposible due to the high racial tensions of the time.
Selena-She came from humble beginnings in Lake Jackson, a suburb of Houston, Texas. Her father Abraham was a laborer and her mother Marcella, who was a stay at home housewife. Selena got her start at age 9 by singing at her parents Mexican restaurant after her father lost his job. He decided then to capitalize on her talent and persistence paid off when she was offered a record deal at the age of 15 when Los Dinos consisted of her brother Abraham, Jr. on bass and her older sister Suzanne on drums. Her big break came in 1987 when she won an award at the Tejano Music Awards. Selena branched out in 1992 with Capitol Records when she did her first crossover from Spanish to English and even launching her own clothing line since Selena has always dreamed of being a fashion designer and she successfully launched her own clothing line and namesake stores in Texas.
She married Chris Perez who was a guitarist in her band in 1992 and in 1994 she won her first Grammy and as a result of that the Recording Academy Arts and Sciences had established a separate Grammy ceremony for Hispanic and Latin artists. Selena was married to Chris Perez who was a guitarist in her band and they weren't even married long when she was murdered by Yolanda Saldivar. Selena was like the Hispanic answer to Debbie Gibson, Tiffany, and Christina Aguliera. Her music touched many people over a broad diverse range of ethnicities besides the Latin American community.
Helen Keller-For someone who came from a time where people with physical handicaps had no resources and means to get the support needed. Helen lost her hearing and her eyesight when she contracted bacterial meningitis at 19 months old. For many who know meningitis was a huge problem in the south at that time especially when children were widely affected by this curable disease. Helen's mother hired a then 21 year old named Anne Mansfield Sullivan to teach Helen how to read and even speak.Helen later went on to Radcliffe Women's College-one of the top female colleges next to Smith College and Mount Holyoke in Massachusetts graduating with honors in 1904. Helen supported causes close to her heart like the NAACP and the birth control movement started by Margaret Sanger.
Helen died in 1968 and was buried with Anne Sullivan Macy at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. For someone who had incredible odds against her because usually people like her were placed in institutions because according to society standards they were not considered fit to be helped. Helen Keller didn't even live to see the ADA-Americans with Disabilities Act become law to allow people with disabilities the rights and entitlements to live like normal people.
