The Contribution of African American Women Essay

Mrs.Chisholm displayed the characteristics of a true Visionary Leader by creating a vision of diversity. Thomas N. Barnes Center for Enlisted Education [BCEE] (2016) defines “Diversity”, as personal life experiences, geographic background, socioeconomic background, cultural knowledge, educational background, work background, language abilities, physical abilities, philosophical/spiritual perspectives, age, race, ethnicity, and gender. In 1968, she achieved and promoted diversity by becoming the first African American woman elected to the United

Shirley Chisholm is an African American politician, educator, and author. She is the first African American to be in Congress. On August 10, 1970 she stood in front of the US House of Representatives in Washington, DC to present a speech. The speech called “For the Equal Rights Amendment”, communicates the discrimination against women and how they’re being treated against men. She uses ethos, logos, pathos and questions to help explain how women are treated unfairly.

Shirley Chisholm, first African American woman to be elected to Congress was born in Brooklyn on November 30, 1924. She is one of the most profound and admired women that challenged society not only as a woman, but a woman of color. She made many contributions to the women's movement and society.

The aspect of African-American Studies is key to the lives of African-Americans and those involved with the welfare of the race. African-American Studies is the systematic and critical study of the multidimensional aspects of Black thought and practice in their current and historical unfolding (Karenga, 21). African-American Studies exposes students to the experiences of African-American people and others of African descent. It allows the promotion and sharing of the African-American culture. However, the concept of African-American Studies, like many other studies that focus on a specific group, gender, and/or creed, poses problems. Therefore, African-American Studies must overcome the obstacles in order to

One of the most influential and inspirational women of all time was Rosa Parks. By one action she helped change the lives of a majority of African Americans and more importantly society as a whole. Rosa Parks sparked the attention of America when she refused to settle for the black (lower class)standards. Not only did she help change the lives for many African Americans but she helped equality for all men and women in the United States. By one brave women our world will be forever thankful.

This paper discusses the experiences of African American Women under slavery during the Slave Trade, their exploitation, the secrecy, the variety of tasks and positions of slave women, slave and ex-slave narratives, and significant contributions to history. Also, this paper presents the hardships African American women faced and the challenges they overcame to become equal with men in today’s society. Slavery was a destructive experience for African Americans especially women. Black women suffered doubly during the slave era.

During my early years of school, I remember being taught white accomplishments and wondering if blacks and other people of color had made any significant contributions to today's world. I noticed that television consist of all white people. Throughout my research paper I hope to cover certain aspects of African American heritage. Aspects such as blacks making up the largest minority group in the United States, although Mexican-Americans are rapidly changing that. The contributions blacks have provided to our country are immeasurable. Unfortunately though rather than recognizing these contributions, white America would rather focus on oppressing and degrading these people. As a consequence American

As stated in Webster's II Dictionary, a woman is defined to be an adult female human. In today's society being an African American woman is a rigid task to live up to. It means to reside to what their ancestors have left behind, which means to be stronger than ever. Rosa Parks was strong, Harriet Tubman was also strong, and Jezebel was even stronger. So what exactly does it mean to be a woman? It means to stand up for what is right, even if that means sacrifice, it means to be strong whether it be physically, emotionally, or mentally. African American women are perceived to be the backbone of the family, meaning that even though the male may support the family financially, that the women have the emotional and mental part in the bag.

The aim of the thesis is to analyze and discuss the African American women`s quest for voice, acceptance and fulfilment. The analysis will be based on three selected novels, namely, Their Eyes Were Watching God, The Color Purple and Beloved. Since their authors - Zora Neale Hurston, Toni Morrison and Alice Walker all - experienced some difficulties in their life related to the subject matter of the thesis, their biographies will be sketched, too. The analysis focuses especially on three women who are the protagonists of the selected novels. Their personal and social problems will be juxtaposed within the context of the criticism selected for the purpose of this thesis.

Shirley Chisholm’s deep involvement within the community strengthened her political influence. She grew more alert to the problems that affected her people such as police brutality, poverty, and women’s lack of rights. Chisholm was an active participant in many community groups such as the League of Women Voters and the Seventeenth Assembly District Democratic Club while also being active in the Democratic Party. Through her experiences, she gained great leadership skills by having responsibilities and learning the art of organizing and

She showed them that they could be equal. The only difference was the color of the skin. She taught them that that wasn’t even a big difference. She fought segregation her entire life.

There are so many African Americans who have paved the way by inspiring me to excel. Shirley Chisholm is foremost the most inspirational African American who has guided my path. For the most part, this African American changed history within the United States; therefore, she provided hope and inspiration within African American communities. Specifically, Shirley Chisholm showed everyone that she would change the lives of her fellow people by becoming the first black American woman to become a congresswoman in 1968. When Shirley Chisholm became the first black American woman to become a congresswoman, she represented the state of New York for seven terms in the House of Representatives.

On Tuesday, March 1st from 5:15-6:45pm, I attended an event called "Dinner With a Scholar" sponsored by the Honors College. At this event, we had dinner with Dr. Wendi Manuel-Scott and discussed the topic of "Black Women's Leadership from the Plantation to the White House." Dr. Manuel-Scott is the director of Mason’s African and African American Studies program here at Mason. During this event, she challenged many of us to think critically about the various leadership roles that Black women have had in society.

“Only by experience can any one realize how deep, and dark, and foul is that pit of abominations.” (Jacobs, 120). These words are spoken by Harriet Jacobs (also known as Linda Brent) and after reading about her life experience as a slave, I have come to believe that slavery was far worse for women than it ever was for men. Jacobs never states that black slave men had it easy during the slave years, in fact she tells a few stories about how some slave men were beaten. She also tells about the life experience of a slave girl, herself. Her own experiences made me feel blessed that I was never born as a black woman during the time of slavery. I do not think that I would have been strong enough to endure

Hillary R. Clinton once said that “There cannot be true democracy unless Women’s voices are heard” (conference in Vienna, Austria 1997). That very brilliant quote relates to a very strong woman by the name of Maya Angelou. Angelou is “America’s most visible black female autobiographer and speakers” (scholar Joanne M. Braxton). She is known for her speeches, poems, and books, but what stood out to me the most was her 1993 inauguration speech when Bill Clinton was sworn into the White House. Ironically, in her poem “On the Pulse of Morning” Maya Angelou uses clear rhetoric, prehistoric metaphoric images, and inspirational concepts to alert her audience to treat the world differently.