Georgia

“There is no one so black that is not akin to me”. Matthews declared during her 1897 speech “The Awakening of the Afro-American Woman”.

A member of the 1948 U.S. Olympic team and the first black woman to become the head coach of the U.S. Olympic Women’s Track & Field team.

Coloratura Soprano Opera Singer

Nurse and Memoirist

After suing for and being granted her freedom, Biddy became one of the first black women to own land in Los Angeles and she founded the first black church in Los Angeles, the First African Methodist Episcopal Church, in 1872. "If you hold your hand closed, nothing good can come in. The open hand is blessed, for it gives in abundance, even as it receives."

Tyus was the first person to retain the 100m Olympic title.

King (1904-1975) was a formidable Civil Rights advocate, Choir Director, Musician, and mother of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Opera Singer