Pianist

Bonds (1913-1972) was an incomparable composer, pianist, and educator. She profoundly influenced 20th-century classical music by infusing her orchestral and chamber works with elements of spirituals, calypso rhythms, and other musical traditions from the African diaspora.

Scott (1920-1981) was a child prodigy who became a virtuoso pianist, renowned for fusing classical music with jazz and her signature "swinging the classics" style. She was famous for playing two pianos simultaneously at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall. She broke racial barriers as the first Black woman to host her own TV show, The Hazel Scott Show, in 1950. The 15-minute program aired three times a week and featured Scott performing her signature style. However, the show was canceled after she was blacklisted for defending herself against communist allegations before the House Un-American Activities Committee. She was a committed civil rights activist and also notably married to U.S. Congressman Adam Clayton Powell Jr.

"It seems I was born different. At least, I always thought I was."

Rice (1954) is an American diplomat, civil servant, professor, and part-owner of the Denver Broncos. She served as the 66th U.S. Secretary of State (2005-2009), making her the second woman in U.S. history to serve in this role. She also served as the 19th U.S. National Security Advisor (2001-2005), becoming the first woman to hold this position. Both of these positions were held during the administration of President George W. Bush. Throughout her career, Rice has made significant contributions to American foreign policy and national security, while also maintaining a strong presence in academia as a professor and director of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University.