Although Black history matters every day, we tend to shine extra light on Black excellence during February here in the United States (and in Canada). While other countries like Ireland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom observe Black History Month in October.
During these months, people intentionally try to learn about brilliant Black people who may not have been taught to them in school. Not only do people seek to learn about new people but they seek to learn the truth. The good, bad, or ugly truth.
Through the truth, we can understand the true perseverance of many Black people who were deprived of their credit while here on earth. As well as, give thanks to the many Black people who were inventors, scientists, mathematicians, and so much more that we may never know.
This month, or any month Black History is observed, should be the time when a fire is lit in us, which encourages us to seek knowledge. Not just for the month but the rest of our lives. Knowing our history gives us the power to enlighten our loved ones and strangers.
No longer can we remain dedicated to the fact that we have been misinformed or in the dark about Black people’s contributions to humanity.
To jump-start your knowledge-seeking journey, here are some incredible Black women who raised the standard for Black excellence in history.
Judy W. Reed
Against all odds, Judy W. Reed was the epitome of Black excellence. Although there is no known record of her life, Reed made sure she made it into the history books. She solidified her spot in history by receiving a patent for a “Dough Kneader and Roller”, which improved an existing invention.
In 1884, Reed’s design made her the first Black woman to receive a U.S. patent. It is not known if Reed was literate, for her patent signature was signed with an “X”. Nonetheless, Reed’s intelligence shined through her contribution to Black excellence.
Sarah Boone
Sarah Boone pushed the standard of Black excellence as a dressmaker with a vision. Her vision involved inventing an improved design for the ironing board. In 1892, Boone’s became one of the first Black women to receive a patent for her design.
According to Boone’s patent application, her design was meant to be a cheap and efficient device, used to iron women sleeves and the bodies of the garments. Boone’s design pathed the way for the ironing board that we use to.
Although there’s no known record of how successful her invention was, she deserves all the accolades for her ingenuity.
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Shirley Ann Jackson
Through education, Black people have continued to raise the standard of excellence. Raising the bar is definitely what Shirley Ann Jackson was known for. She started by being the first Black woman to receive her doctorate in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
This achievement made her the first of two African American women to receive a doctorate in physics in the United States. How impressive is that?
If that’s not impressive enough, Shirley Jackson went on to be the first woman of any race to be the Chairman of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
Her leadership and dedication to science and education earned her 45 honorary doctoral degrees. Shirley Jackson was indeed an excellent figure, who exemplified the power of being First, Only, and Different (F. O.D).
Mary Van Brittan Brown
The feeling of being safe and secure in your home is priceless. If you have a home security system, you can thank Mary Van Brittan Brown for that. In 1966, she co-invented the home security system with her husband, Albert Brown. While Mr. Brown was working, the idea came from nights Mrs. Brown spent alone in a high crime rate neighborhood, in Queens, New York.
If you’re thinking that this home security system was mediocre, think again. Brown’s invention had a camera that was linked to a monitor, a microphone, the ability to unlock the door and call the police.
The system we have today use ideas from Brown’s invention. So, any time you are pressing in the code to your security system, pay homage to Mary Brown, and Albert Brown, for pathing the way to keep your family safe.
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Gloria Twine Chisum
Gloria Twine Chisum let her Black excellence shine through by becoming a world-renowned experimental psychologist. Solidifying her spot in history when she invented protective goggles for pilots in extreme conditions. Her goggles decreased the exposure to light and to losing consciousness.
Throughout Chisum’s career, she did more than inventing protective eyewear. She received a doctorate in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. Chisum also headed the Vision Laboratory at the U.S. Naval Air Development Center.
To add the finishing touches on Gloria Chisum’s greatness, she was a recipient of several honors, including the George Washington Carver Scientific Achievement Award and the Black Engineer of the Year Award for Achievement in Government.
Gloria Chisum deserves all of her respect and more.
Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner
When it comes to feminine products women do not play. Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner sure didn’t. She was an African American inventor, who knew the importance of a sanitary pad being able to stay in place. Kenner invented the game-changing sanitary belt with moisture-proof napkin pockets.
Although her invention was legendary, she was not originally given her respect. Kenner caught the attention of top feminine brands but was swiftly rejected once they realized that she was African American.
However, Kenner’s perseverance was fierce. She let her Black excellence prevail by filing more patents than any other African American woman in history, for a total of 5.
Not to mention that she was born surrounded by greatest, as her father, Sidney Nathaniel Davidson, and sister, Mildred Davidson Austin Smith, were inventors as well.
May we gratefully remember Mary Kenner as a trailblazer for Black excellence.
Janet Emerson Bashen
In 2006, Janet Emerson Bashen raised the bar for Black excellence when she patented a software invention, called LinkLine, for Equal Employment Opportunity claims intake and tracking, claims management, document management, and numerous reports.
Bashen’s creation made her the first Black woman to hold a patent for a software invention. To add to her clout, Bashen is the founder, President and CEO of Bashen Corporation, a leading human resource consulting firm.
In 2002, in its annual Inc 500 ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies, Inc Magazine named Bashen Corporation one of America’s entrepreneurial growth leaders.
Bashen also has been the recipient of several honors, including the prestigious Crystal Award, granted by the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc.
For her dedication and hard work, Janet Bashen deserves all the admiration for her contribution to Black excellence.
Conclusion
Judy W. Reed, Sarah Boone, Shirley Ann Jackson, Mary Van Brittan Brown, Gloria Twine Chisum, Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner, and Janet Emerson Bashen are all phenomenal Black women who have earned their spots in history. Through their excellence, we have simplicity and security in our lives to this day.
I am thankful for their visions, and the courage that they had to bring their ideas to fruition. Against all odds, these women proved that there aren’t any substitutes for perseverance and hard work. For that, may they forever be remembered as Black women who raised the bar for Black excellence.
