Many of us are familiar with names such as Simone Biles, world-renowned gymnast, Serena Williams, tennis legend with the most open-era Grand Slam singles titles, and even Beyonce, singing sensation. We see these prominent black women (very) slowly but surely rise in the ranks of today’s society, yet we are often completely unaware of the struggles of the black women in history who endured hardship after hardship to create a space for us within those ranks. Movies like Hidden Figures and the bio-drama “King Richard,” are partially accurate depictions, but real histories and stories are not always that easy to digest.
Achievements in Sports
When it comes to sports, let’s talk about Althea Gibson, the first black woman (and black person) to compete in Wimbledon in July 1951. For many years, she was unable to compete in major tennis events as they were held exclusively in all-white country clubs. She was finally advocated for by former champion, Alice Marble, and was permitted to compete. Although she only made it to the third round, she went on to become the first black player to win the title at the All-England Club six years later.
Black Women: Political Powerhouses
For a powerful, strategic political mind, we can look to Queen Nanny (or “Nanny of the Maroons”). She was abducted from Ghana and sold into slavery in Jamaica. In 1720, she led the Jamaican Maroons, a group of formerly enslaved Africans, in guerrilla warfare against the British to gain their freedom. The British fought Nanny and her troops for six years. Ultimately, the British soldiers and plantation owners were forced to negotiate a settlement with the Maroons.
In politics and education, we can look to Yaa Asantewaa, leader of the Ashanti Empire in what is now Ghana. As the Queen Mother, she protected the Golden Stool, a national emblem of power. In 1896, the British removed the King in an attempt to acquire the Golden Stool and build their own “Gold Coast” colony. A British representative sat on the treasured Golden Stool, provoking her anger and pushing her to take up arms as Commander in Chief of the Ashanti army. She defended against the British from March to September 1900. It wasn’t until the British enlisted several thousand additional troops and heavy artillery that they could defeat Yaa Asantewaa.
Slightly more recently, Ruby Bridges became an American civil rights activist in 1960 at only six years old when she became the first black child to attend an all-white school. Segregation was illegal, yet she was bombarded with slurs and threats to prevent her from attending. She had to be personally escorted by federal marshals for her first year out of fear for her safety.
Recognition Long Overdue
Initiatives like Black Women’s History Month, held annually every April, are a great opportunity for everyone to appreciate the women who have gone before us and envision a better future for those coming after. Various countries and institutions have begun creating legislation and setting up systems to promote equity. This includes the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in the United States which forbids discrimination based on race, gender, religion, or colour, the Equality Act of 2010 in the United Kingdom which asserts that you cannot face discrimination on the basis of your race, and the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act in South Africa which aims to include black women in important decision-making. However, this is just a start.
I have chosen to highlight these particular women because they represent fields dominated majorly by men, fields that black women specifically are often discouraged from venturing into from a young age. To this day, I can testify that black women often have to work twice as hard as everyone else only to receive half the recognition and compensation. Truthfully, black women should be valued in and out of that month, the same way other groups of people are.
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