New York

Wilkinson (1935-2018) was the first Black woman to join a major ballet company when she joined the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo in 1955.

Bibliotherapy advocate

Robinson (1936-2011) was a Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer, the Mother of Hip Hop, and a founder and the CEO of Sugar Hill Records.

Bolin (1908-2007) was an attorney and judge. She was the first Black woman to graduate from Yale Law School. In 1939, when she was appointed to serve as a judge on the New York City Domestic Relations Court (later renamed Family Court), she became the first Black woman judge in the United States.

Sklarek (1926-2012) was the first African American woman to be licensed as an architect in the state of New York in 1954, and later, she became the first Black woman licensed as an architect in California in 1962. She was also the first Black woman member of the prestigious American Institute of Architects (AIA). These milestones shattered racial and gender barriers, blazing a trail for others to follow in the field of architecture.

Dr. Daly (1921-2003), an extraordinary biochemist and trailblazer, was the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. in Chemistry and the first Black person to receive a doctoral degree from Columbia University. Daly's pioneering research, spanning over 20 peer-reviewed publications, covered cardiovascular health, digestion, protein synthesis, and many other areas. Her work advanced the understanding of heart disease, cholesterol, and metabolic disorders.

Charlotte E. Ray was the first African American woman lawyer in the United States as well as the first woman to be admitted to the District of Columbia Bar. Charlotte attended the Institution for the Education of Colored Youth in Washington, D.C. (now called the University of the District of Columbia) and excelled in her studies.

Cagle (1959) is a Physician, U.S. Air Force Colonel (ret.), NASA astronaut, and educator.

Lewis (1844-1907) was a sculptor, known as Wildfire.

Caroroll (1935-2019) was an actress and the first Black woman to earn an Emmy nomination (1969).

Activist

"We find the negro woman figuratively struck in the face by contempt from the world about her. Within her soul, she knows little of peace and happiness. But through it all, she is courageously standing erect, developing within herself the moral strength to rise above and conquer false attitudes...The wind of the race's destiny stirs more briskly because of her striving."

Historian

Filmmaker

NASA Astronaut, Aerospace engineer, Physicist, and the second Black woman to be part of a long duration mission at the International Space Station.

Actress, comedian, author, singer, and host, Goldberg (1955) was the first Black woman to earn EGOT status (2002)—winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award.

First Black Woman elected to Congress.