In life, you don’t get many opportunities to do the things that you want to do.
If you do get that chance to achieve your goals.
You should accomplish your fullest potential and never look back.
Being successful and making the world a better place is a wonderful thing.
Like the women below, anybody can contribute to the best of society and while they do it, they will leave their marks for all to appreciate.
This is our top five List of famous but also forgettable African American women that made important contributions in breaking the color barrier and paving the way for future generations today.
Ranging from different fields like Entertainment to Entrepreneurship.
They are all gone now, but their memories will last a lifetime. And even though they were quite known in their time but they are almost forgotten today. Society may have forgotten them, but history sure hasn’t- because they have made their marks in the history books.
(Note: This top five list covers from the most memorable to least memorable.)
5. Dorothy Dandridge (November 9, 1922–September 8, 1965) was an actress and singer. She was the first black woman to be nominated in the best actress category for an Oscar, losing it to actress Grace Kelly at the time. A very attractive and great entertainer. She starred in many films and recorded several songs. One of her best known films which she was nominated for an Academy Award is “Carmen Jones.” Critics gave the film very good reviews. She was sort of like the lesser known Marilyn Monroe of her era. She was also quoted as saying, “If I were white, I could capture the world.” At the time, there wasn’t many starring roles for African American actors or actresses. It took Hollywood awhile to give her the recognition that she deserved. Many years later, Halle Berry portrayed Dorothy Dandridge in a film that premiered on HBO called “Introducing Dorothy Dandridge” bringing the famous actress/singer’s life onscreen. Halle Berry eventually became the first black actress to win the Academy Award, in her acceptance speech, she thank Dorothy and many other notable famous black women. Even though she left this earth at 42 years of age, Dorothy Dandridge would be remembered as an actress who went for all she wanted in her films but achieved only half of it. Because maybe in that earlier time period, Hollywood wasn’t quite ready for her.
4. Madam C.J. Walker (December 23, 1867 – May 25, 1919) Her real name was Sarah Breedlove. She was an entrepreneur, philanthropist, mogul, and much more. She was the first self made woman millionaire. Also during her time, she had the biggest black-own business. Madam C.J. Walker was like the Oprah Winfrey of her era. Owning many successful hair products, especially for women of color, being inspired from losing her hair to an infection-immediately inventing something to help herself and others. She gave to many charities. After her death at 51, her daughter carried her torch on. She will be remembered for her skills and successful innovations that helped change a generation. One of her best known quotes that we love about her is this one, ”There is no royal, flower-strewn path to success. And if there is, I have not found it for if I have accomplished anything in life, it is because I have been willing to work hard.”
3. Lorraine Hansberry (May 19, 1930-January 12, 1965) was a playwright and she wrote many different pieces spanning diverse genres. “A Rasin in the Sun” is perhaps one of her most famous plays, base on her own life. Being very successful, films were made based on the play. She became the first black woman to have a play on Broadway, the youngest American playwright, and the fifth woman to be awarded for her writing piece. Dying young from cancer at the tender age of thirty-four, her brilliant works will have a lasting impact. Most likely, if she had the chance, she would have went far and wrote even more terrific pieces like her other best-selling ones.
2. Shirley Chisholm (November 30, 1924 – January 1, 2005) She was a politician. A seventh term congresswoman that represented New York’s 12th Congressional District (1969-1983). She was the first black woman elected to Congress. Also she became the first African American candidate to run for president. And the second woman to run for the nomination of a major political party. Determined and feisty, paving the way for future politicians of color and women. She definitely will be remembered for one of the first to break the color barrier.
1. Elizabeth “Bessie” Coleman (January 26, 1892 – April 30, 1926) She was the first African American woman to become a licensed pilot and the first American regardless of race or gender to have an international pilot license. She was a very determined and confident individual. Fascinated with airplanes since she was a child, achieving her dream as an adult. She was forbidden from learning how to manuever aircraft and getting her license in America because of her race, so she had to travel to France to obtain her license. Perished at the young age of thirty-four in a plane crash, and right at the peak of her career. Being a very smart, courageous, and attractive woman, she is a strong inspiration for women of color and women everywhere.
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