Dr Janet L Mitchell

As a young medical student at Howard University College of Medicine from 1972 to 1976, Janet Mitchell saw patients from some of the poorest neighborhoods in Washington, D.C. Later, from 1976 to 1980, she served both her postgraduate internship and residency at New York’s Harlem Hospital Center. “Working at Harlem and doing almost all of my rotations in medical school at D.C. General Hospital, I said ‘there but by the grace of God—go I.’ I have ever since devoted myself to the underserved and the most disenfranchised.”

Continue reading

Dr Janice Green Douglas

In 1984, Dr. Janice Douglas became the first woman promoted to or appointed to the rank of professor of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University Medical School.

Continue reading

Aesha Ash

Aesha Ash is an internationally acclaimed, talented dancer who founded a nonprofit to inspire young black girls to pursue their dance dreams.

Continue reading

Mary Patterson

In 1862, Mary Jane Patterson became the first African-American woman to receive a BA degree when she graduated from Oberlin College with a B.A. degree and highest honors.

Continue reading

Dr G Valerie Beckles-Neblett

G. Valerie Beckles-Neblett, M.D. organizes medical missions to Haiti and Honduras, two of the poorest countries in the world. Along with the other doctors she recruits for her trips, Dr. Beckles treated thousands of people — many who had never visited a doctor before.

Continue reading

Arianna Sparrow

Working for African Americans’ civil and political rights, Arianna C. Sparrow joined Black women’s organizations to protest racial discrimination and support women’s suffrage.

Continue reading

Dr Ethel Allen

In 1975, Dr. Ethel Allen became the first African American councilwoman elected to an at-large seat on the Philadelphia City Council.

Continue reading

Minnie McNeal Kenny

During the course of her 43-year career, Ms. McNeal Kenny received NSA’s two highest awards: the Meritorious Civilian Service Award (1980) and the Exceptional Civilian Service Award (1984).

Continue reading