An Amazing Woman in Herstory : Marva Collins

I'm a firm believer that Black History IS American History so we should celebrate it alongside the stories of our founding fathers and mothers. And as misguided politicians and perceived pundits try to erase Black History, it's becoming even more important for all Americans to listen and learn about the many ways African Americans have contributed to this nation.  

One amazing American we all should know is Marva Knight Collins. Born on August 31, 1936 in Monroeville, Alabama, Collins' early life was attending school in a strict, one-room schoolhouse. This learning experience would have a profound effect on her later in life.

After graduating from Clark College in Atlanta, Georgia, Collins returned to teach in Alabama. Eventually she moved to Chicago, and over the next 14 years, she taught in the inner-city Chicago Public Schools as a full-time substitute teacher. 

Collins would marry Clarence Collins and together they would have 3 children. Although she had a happy homelife, Collins became very frustrated with the teaching techniques she witnessed in the public-school system. Using money from her personal funds, Collins started a private school in Chicago called the Westside Preparatory School. The low-cost private school was specifically designed to help teach low-income Black children who Collins felt had been mislabeled as being learning disabled. 

The Westside Preparatory School became an educational and commercial success. Collins received recognitions and awards from the school house to the White House, where Collins was the National Medal of Humanities recipient presented by President George W. Bush. In 1981 a movie based on her life, entitled The Marva Collins Story aired on TV. Before her death in 2015, Collins also became an Honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.  

This is just one Black History story. Take time to learn more about Black Americans who have impacted our country and our world.

Shirley Chisholm - Educator, Congresswoman and Activitist

Shirley Chisholm (1924-2005) earned her master's degree in education from Columbia University. She later became an expert on early childhood education, working as a consultant to New York City's Bureau of Child Welfare, from 1959-1964.
But in 1968 Shirley stepped into the history books. She became the first woman to win a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. And her history making didn't stop there. In 1972 Shirley Chisholm became the first African American and first woman to declare her candidacy for the office of President of the United States!
Shirley retired from Congress in 1983, however, she stayed active in her community. She became an author, she taught at the Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts, she spoke out against the Vietnam War and she advocated for the needs of the poor.

Wilma Rudolph - Athlete

Wilma Rudolph (1940-1994) earned the title "World's Fastest Woman" after winning the 100 meter dash, the 200 meter dash and anchoring the 400 meter relay at the 1960 Olympics in Rome. She also was the first female American runner to win three gold medals in the Olympic Games. Those achievements alone are remarkable. However what makes it even more amazing is what happened in Wilma's life before becoming this world renowned champion.
As a child, Wilma suffered an attack of polio and scarlet fever that left her unable to walk without the help of leg braces or orthopedic shoes until she was twelve years old. Her accomplishments are credited with helping remove barriers to women's participation in track and field. During her lifetime, Wilma received many honors and awards, including being named the Associated Press Woman Athlete of the Year and the Babe Didrikson Zaharias Award. In 1974, Wilma was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame.

Patricia Roberts Harris - Attorney, Ambassador, Cabinet Member

Patricia Roberts Harris (1924-1985) had a lifetime of firsts. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Howard University in Washington, DC. After graduating with honors from Washington University's Law School in 1960, she was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and the District of Columbia bar. Patricia was granted tenure as a professor of law at Howard University in 1963. In 1969, she was named the Dean of the university's School of Law, becoming the first African American woman to head a law school in the United States.
Patricia was appointed as the Ambassador to Luxembourg by President Lyndon Johnson, becoming the first African American woman to be chosen for an ambassadorship. In 1977, President Jimmy Carter appointed her as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Patricia was the first African American woman to hold a Cabinet post. She would eventually become the Secretary of Health and Human Services in 1979.

Bessie Coleman - Aviator

Bessie Coleman (1893-1926) must have been a true woman of courage. Her nickname was Brave Bessie and she earned every bit of it. Bessie was the first licensed African American pilot! And she didn't let her race or gender stop her dream. Can you image her courage of even daring to have a dream of wanting to be a pilot in America in the early 1900s? Not even being denied to enter flight school in the United States would stop her. Bessie trained in France and received her license in 1921. A year later, she earned her international pilot's license  When she returned to the United States, Bessie planned to open a flight school so other African Americans could become pilots too, but she needed money. She used her skills performing aviation stunts in air shows all around the country to raise funds. And Bessie wasn't just an aviator, she was also an activist. She would refuse to perform unless African Americans were allowed to use the same entrance to her shows as white attendees.  Eventually, Bessie earned enough money to buy three airplanes and she was getting closer to fulfill her dream of owning her flight school. Tragically, Bessie Coleman was killed in a plane crash while performing in an air show on April 30, 1926 in Jacksonville, Florida.

Bessie Coleman was an inspiration to all future African American pilots. For more information on Bessie Coleman, go to your local library.