Acknowledging Black History Month
This Black History Month, let’s honor the incredible achievements, resilience, and contributions of Black individuals throughout history. From pioneering leaders and thinkers to artists and activists, their impact is immeasurable and inspiring. Let’s commit to learning, supporting, and uplifting Black voices, not just this month, but every day. Together, we can create a future rich in equality and understanding.
- Harriet Tubman (c. 1822–1913): Born into slavery, Harriet Tubman escaped and became a legendary abolitionist and conductor of the Underground Railroad. She led numerous missions to rescue enslaved people, and later became an advocate for women’s suffrage.
- George Washington Carver (c. 1864–1943): An agricultural scientist and inventor, Carver developed hundreds of products using peanuts, sweet potatoes, and soybeans, drastically improving the agricultural economy in the southern United States. He also promoted crop rotation methods for soil conservation.
- W.E.B. Du Bois (1868–1963): A sociologist, historian, and civil rights activist, Du Bois was the first African American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard University. He co-founded the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and was a prominent advocate for civil rights and Pan-Africanism.
- Rosa Parks (1913–2005): Known as “the mother of the freedom movement,” Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her seat to a white passenger on a Montgomery, Alabama bus in 1955 sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott. This pivotal event was crucial in the fight for civil rights and the end of segregation in the United States.
Other notable celebrations in the month of February include…
- February 2 – Groundhogs Day
- February 14 – Valentine’s Day
- February 19 – Presidents Day
- February 29 – Leap Day