Black individuals have made a significant impact in every area of society. In honor of Black History Month and this year’s theme from the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, we are recognizing historical moments and the crucial contributions of Black individuals.
Historical Moments
Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was a network of safe houses to assist Black people who were enslaved to freedom. Thousands of people used the Underground Railroad between 1820 and 1860. People traveled to Canada, Mexico, the West, the Caribbean islands, and more.
“I was the conductor of the Underground Railroad for eight years, and I can say what most conductors can't say — I never ran my train off the track and I never lost a passenger.”
– Harriet Tubman
The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters
The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP) was founded in 1925 as the first African American labor union to be chartered by the American Federation of Labor (AFL). It was established to improve the working conditions, wages, and dignity of Black railroad porters, and gathered membership of 18,000 workers across Canada, Mexico, and the United States at its peak.
The BSCP, under the leadership of A. Philip Randolph, faced significant challenges, including discrimination and resistance from both railroad companies and the wider labor movement. Despite these obstacles, the union gained recognition in 1937 after a prolonged struggle via a signed contract with The Pullman Company, securing better working conditions, pay, and union rights for its members.
The BSCP played a crucial role in the broader Civil Rights Movement by challenging racial injustice and helping to lay the foundation for future labor and civil rights advances.
Fair Housing Act
The Fair Housing Act of 1968 was a follow-up to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This addressed racial discrimination in the sale, rental, or financing of housing.
Laboring for Change
Kizzmekia S. Corbett, PhD
Born in 1986
Dr. Corbett-Helaire, an assistant professor at Harvard University, was instrumental in developing the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. She and her team at the National Institutes of Health developed mRNA-1273, used by Moderna.
Dr. Corbett-Helaire has earned several prestigious awards for her research.
Solomon Fuller, MD
1872-1953
Dr. Fuller pioneered Alzheimer's research and advanced the study of many other neurodegenerative diseases, including schizophrenia and manic depression.
Shirley Chisholm
1924-2005
Shirley was the first Black woman in Congress, representing New York’s 12th congressional district from 1969 to 1983. She advocated for women and minorities during her seven-year term. Shirley expanded the food stamp program and helped create the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
In 1971, she became a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, which ensures equal rights, opportunity, and access to Black Americans and other marginalized communities.
Learn more about Black history by following Areté Living on social media or visiting AreteLiving.com/deib.
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