Emily

HARRIET TUBMAN (1822-1913) Harriet Tubman was best known for being a conductor for the Underground Railroad, a Civil War nurse and spy, and advocate for human rights. Tubman — born Araminta Ross — was born into slavery in Maryland (MD) in the early 1820s. She was put to work as a nursemaid at age 5. Around age … Read more

SISTER ROSETTA THARPE (1915-1973) Sister Rosetta Tharpe was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. She is often referred to as the “original soul sister” and “the godmother of rock and roll”.   Tharpe was born in Cotton Plant, Arkansas in 1915. She began singing and playing the guitar at age 4 and was hailed as a … Read more

KAMALA HARRIS (b. 1964) Kamala Harris served as Vice President of the United States from 2021-2025 and was the first woman and person of color to serve in that office. She was the first woman and the first African American attorney general in California, the first Indian American to serve as a U.S. senator, and … Read more

MA RAINEY (1886-1939) Gertrude “Ma” Rainey (born Gertrude Malissa Nix Pridgett) is often called the “Mother of the Blues.”  Rainey was known for her deep-throated voice and mesmerizing stage presence. As a songwriter, her lyrics and melodies reflected her experiences as an independent, openly bisexual African-American woman.  Ma Rainey was born in 1886 in Columbus, Georgia. … Read more

MAYA ANGELOU (1928-2014) Maya Angelou was born in 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri. Angelou had a broad career as a singer, dancer, actress, composer, and Hollywood’s first female black director, but became most famous as a writer, editor, essayist, playwright, and poet.  As a civil rights activist, Angelou worked for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. … Read more

One of the best things I’ve ever done art-wise was a series called Trailblazing Women that I embarked on in February of 2021. I spent the entire month of February drawing and learning about inspiring Black women throughout history. It was enlightening, inspiring, and downright powerful to learn more about each person on the list. … Read more