The Contribution of African American Women Essay - 506 Words

The Contribution of African American Women I am not the first. I am not the first Black woman to attend a college or university. I am not the first Black woman to exercise her right to vote. I am not the first Black woman to dream, to be so hopeful for positive change that she sees possibilities in bleakness. I am not the first Black woman to know how it feels to be rejected instead of accepted, to be humiliated instead of acclaimed, to be passed over without lambs blood smeared on her door. I am not the first Black woman to experience America. I stand as a pair of footprints to be made in the sands of time. Before me lay the tracks of my predecessors; brilliant Black women who mastered the art of bending without caving. They†¦show more content†¦Women like Shirley Chisholm made priceless contributions to improve minority life within our nation. They knew why the caged bird sang, but did not want future generations to sing its song. These women possessed the gift of sight and their visions went beyond themselves and their communities. It was not just enough to help a select few; everyone had to gain or there would be no forward motion. One of these phenomenal women, Shirley Chisholm, was the first Black woman ever elected to Congress and the first Black/ woman to pursue a presidential nomination. One of her memorable quotes explains her standpoint on being a politician and a minority: â€Å"I am not the candidate of Black America...I am not the candidate of the womans movement... I am the candidate of the people.† Unbought and unbossed, Chisholm was not afraid to ruffle a few feathers in order to create opportunities for minorities within the United States. Initially, some of her alliances within Congress were viewed as controversial; however they later allowed her to push some of her most important issues to the political forefront. She laid the foundation for the credibility of todays leadin g Black politicians like Condoleeza Rice and Barack Obama. The women of my mother and grandmothers generations made lasting contributions to our society. I have been able to grow in their luminance. Because of them, I have been granted opportunities that theyShow MoreRelatedEssay about Maya Angelou682 Words   |  3 Pagesentertainer, she is known best for her strong portrayal of African-American women. Some of her most outstanding work is the series of autobiographies that she wrote telling about her childhood. Her work has contributed immensely to Americans everywhere. She has also broken many barriers for black women in writing, entertainment, and in film making. Maya Angelou is definitely a positive role model to people everywhere. 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