Emily

BARBARA SMITH (b. 1946) Barbara Smith is a Black lesbian feminist pioneer, scholar, activist, lecturer, author, and publisher.  Smith was born in Ohio in 1946 and has a twin sister named Beverly. Their mother died when they were 9, leaving her in the care of her grandmother, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Academics and activism were … Read more

KATHERINE JOHNSON (1918-2020) Katherine Johnson was one of NASA’s human computers, performing the complex calculations that enabled humans to go to space and return home safely.  Katherine Johnson (née Coleman) was born in 1918 in West Virginia. She was a bright child with a gift for numbers and complete 8th grade by the time she … Read more

MISS MAJOR GRIFFIN-GRACY (b. 1940s) Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, often referred to as Miss Major, is an American author, activist, and organizer for transgender rights. She has spent the last 50 years fighting for her trans and gender noncomforming community.  Miss Major was born in Chicago, IL in the 1940s and assigned male at birth (AMAB). … Read more

PAULI MURRAY (1910-1985) Pauli Murray was a civil rights activist, advocate, legal scholar, and later in life, an Episcopal priest. Murray’s work influenced the civil rights movement and helped to expand legal protections for gender equality. Murray — born Anna Pauline Murray — was born in Maryland and was the fourth of six children. Murray’s mother … Read more

SEPTIMA POINSETTE CLARK (1898-1987) Septima Poinsette Clark was a teacher and civil rights activist who was a fierce advocate for literacy, education, and social progress. Clark is often referred to as the “Mother of the Civil Rights movement” for her efforts in getting African Americans to register to vote.  Born in 1898 in South Carolina, … Read more

SOJOURNER TRUTH (1797-1883) Sojourner Truth, born Isabella Baumfree, was a formerly enslaved woman who became an outspoken advocate for abolition and women’s rights in the 19th century. She is best known for her speech, “Ain’t I a Woman?” Truth was born into slavery and sold four times, often subjected to harsh physical labor and violent … Read more

KETANJI BROWN JACKSON (b. 1970) Ketanji Onyika Brown Jackson is the first Black woman and first former public defender to be serve on the Supreme Court. Jackson was born in Washington, D.C. in 1970 and grew up in Miami, Florida. In high school, Jackson served as class president and excelled at debate and speech competitions. … Read more