All kinds of people have dreamt about flying into outer space, but only a select few are chosen to make this dream a reality. Out of this select few, a small number are women and an even a smaller number are African American. The series Mission Photographs Taken During the Space Shuttle Program, 4/12/1981 – … Continue reading African-American Women Astronauts Making their Mark in Space Exploration
Today’s post is by Rachael Salyer, Subject Matter Expert for Modern Military Records at the National Archives in College Park, MD. In early 1945, the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion became the only Women’s Army Corps (WAC) unit comprised of women of color to serve overseas during the war. Led by Major (later Lieutenant Colonel) … Continue reading The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion and the Women’s Army Corps (WACs) in World War II
African Americans & the Arts in the Federal Government This series of blogs were written by Tina L. Ligon, Supervisory Archivist at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland This year the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) is celebrating the countless contributions of African Americans in the arts. The … Continue reading African American Artists & the Harmon Foundation
Today’s post was written by Netisha Currie, archives specialist at the National Archives at College Park. On November 30, 2021, Josephine Baker was bestowed the honor of Panthéonisation – being inducted into the national mausoleum of heroes at the French Pantheon. She is the first entertainer, Black woman, American, and only the sixth woman to … Continue reading An American Original Inducted into the French Pantheon – Josephine Baker
From the liberating poetry of Phyllis Wheatley to the heroism of Shirley Chisholm. From the fortitude of Ida B. Wells to the tenacity of Fannie Lou Hamer, Stacey Abrams, and other Black women who have fought on the frontlines against the disenfranchisement of Black people. The Black woman is the cornerstone of African American politics. As Senator Kamala … Continue reading Before Kamala: Black Women in Presidential Administrations
Today’s post was written by Cara Moore Lebonick, reference archives specialist at the National Archives at St. Louis Disclaimer: Some of the partial records featured contain language that does not reflect modern accepted terminology. Please keep this possible sensitive language in mind when reviewing the records. The United States entered the Great War, now known … Continue reading Mustering Out: the Navy’s First Black Yeowomen
Lynching remains one of the most disturbing and least understood atrocities in American history. Defining the act of lynching is also controversial and for the purpose of the blog series, lynching is defined as the killing of women who were: 1) tortured, mutilated, burned, shot, dragged, raped, and/or hung, 2) accused of an alleged or … Continue reading Lynching of Women in United States Blog Series: The Lynching of Mrs. Mary Turner and Her Family
Lynching remains one of the most disturbing and least understood atrocities in American history. During the Postbellum and Reconstruction periods, mob violence in the south became a tool for maintaining the racial order. African American men, women, and children now comprised the majority of victims of lynch mobs and lynchings became increasingly sadistic in nature. … Continue reading Lynching of Women in United States Blog Series: The Lynching of Mrs. Kate Browning
This is the second blog post on a series of blogs on the lynching of women in the United States. Lynching remains one of the most disturbing and least understood atrocities in American history. During the Postbellum and Reconstruction periods, mob violence in the South became a tool for maintaining the racial order. African American … Continue reading Lynching of Women in United States Blog Series: The Lynching of Belle Hathaway
This will be the first blog post on a series of blogs on the lynching of women in the United States. Lynching remains one of the most disturbing and least understood atrocities in American history. During the Postbellum and Reconstruction periods, mob violence in the South became a tool for maintaining the racial order. African-American … Continue reading Lynching of Women in United States Blog Series Part 1: The Lynching of Sisters Eula and Ella Charles
