Black History is Not a Mystery

Monday, February 1
Recently in the United States, Kamala Harris made history becoming the first woman, the first person of color, and first south asian to be elected as Vice President. She sets an example for young black women that we can too break records and achieve things that were thought to be unachievable.

Tuesday, February 2
During the Harlem Renaissance, there were many famous authors, poets, and more. Amongst them was Zora Neale Hurston, who portrayed racial struggles through the books she wrote, one of them being “Their Eyes Were Watching God.” Some of you may have learned about her, thanks to the English department.

Wednesday, February 3
The civil rights movement was a major movement in history. Some of it’s popular leaders being Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X, but many more people participated in this movement. Fighting for justice and equality for oppressed people of color, the movement focused on nonviolence and peace in their actions towards equality. Because of this movement we as young Black women are able to receive equal education and more.

Thursday, February 4
The first Black woman to earn a pilot’s license was Bessie Coleman. She also performed the first public flight by an African American woman. Even through her struggles and crashes while taking flight, Bessie continued to persevere through her career and made history for the Black community.

Friday, February 5
Known as the Queen of Jazz, Ella Fitzgerald was the first black woman to win a Grammy award. Setting a great example for all of the musical artists to come, including the ones that we love, such as Beyonce. Because of Ella, and all of the Black excellence that followed, Black musicians today are inspired and strive to achieve greatness in the music industry.

Monday, February 8
Many people know Rosa Parks, who is considered one of the main figures of the Civil Rights movement after not giving up her seat to a white person. But what many people don’t know is that a fourteen year old black young woman, named Claudette Colvin, was the first to refuse her seat to a white person. Rosa Parks ended up becoming one of the faces of the Civil Rights movement instead of Claudette Colvin because Rosa Parks was of lighter skin and would be more accepted.

Tuesday, February 9
Ruby Bridges was one of the first African Americans to integrate an all white school. The school she integrated was here in Louisiana and was called William J. Frantz Elementary School and this took place in the year 1960. She was only six years old when she did this, yet she received many threats and dirty looks by white people who supported segregation. Ruby Bridges is still alive today, at the age of 66 years old.

Wednesday, February 10
The NAACP, which stands for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, was founded in 1909. Some of it’s members consisted of W.E.B. De Bois, Ida Wells-Barnett, and more. The NAACP organization fought for, and continues to fight for, the lives and challenges faced by African Americans.

Thursday, February 11
Cicely Tyson was an African American actress who portrayed many beautiful characters through the films she starred in. She recently passed away on January 28, 2021 and lived up to the age of 96. Just before her death she released a memoir titled “Just As I Am” about her life.

Friday, February 12
Tyler Perry is a Black screenwriter, producer, director, actor, and much more. He has made many movies, filled with majority Black casts, portraying many Black struggles. He also owns his own studio lot, known as Tyler Perry Studios. And for a portion of his life Tyler Perry even lived in Louisiana before becoming the successful Black man that he is today.

Thursday, February 18
Michelle Obama made history in 2009 becoming the first Black First Lady of the United States. She also released a memoir about her life titled “Becoming.” Michele Obama continues to be an inspiration and role model for young black women with her empowering messages. A quote from Michelle Obama is “Don’t be afraid. Be focused. Be determined. Be hopeful. Be empowered.”

Friday, February 19
Langston Hughes was a leader of the Harlem Renaissance. He was a poet, author, playwright and more. Because of Langston Hughes achievements he helped break barriers of black creativity and overcome some of stereotypes of black people.

Monday, February 22
Maya Angelou was a Black poet, author, activist, and more. One of Maya Angelou’s famous poems is titled “Still I Rise.” In it she writes,
“Out of the huts of history’s shame
I rise
Up from a past that’s rooted in pain
I rise
I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.”

Tuesday, February 23
Barack Obama was the 44^th President of the United States and made history becoming the first Black President of the United States. A quote from Barack Obama is, “A change is brought about because ordinary people do extraordinary things.” Remember that you can achieve extraordinary things and be that change.

Wednesday, February 24
Black hairstyles originated in African civilizations. A lot of the person’s identity could be seen through their hair, such as what tribe they belonged to, their social status, and their family background. Because of the texture, curl pattern, and fragility of our hair we wear protective hairstyles, such as braids. As time went on many Black people began to straighten their hair to be seen as more professional, but our natural hair is unique and beautiful and should not be tamed to fit societies standards. Your natural hair is beautiful, never forget that.

Thursday, February 25
You, as young black women of Cabrini High can achieve greatness just like the Black people and organizations that we discussed all throughout this month. You can achieve your goals and continue to be the change in our society towards a world of equality and love. And as Cabrini sisters, regardless of race, we can come together to support the black community and create change. Remember Black history is our history!

Friday, February 26
Mae C. Jemison became the first Black woman to travel in space in the year 1992. She was an engineer, physician, and astronaut. She is still alive today at the age of 64. A quote from her is “Never limit yourself because of others’ limited imagination; never limit others because of your own limited imagination.”


*Special shout out to students Shania Phillips and Keion Dorvilier on organizing and announcing these all month long!