Jackie “Moms” Mabley

African-American stand-up comic and actor who was active in stage, television and films from the 1910s to 1970s. She was also one of the 20th century’s first openly queer comedians, coming out as a lesbian in 1921.

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Alice Ball

African-American chemist Alice Augusta Ball developed the “Ball Method”, the most effective treatment for leprosy of the early 20th century, but her work went unrecognised for many years because her white, male advisor stole her work after her untimely death at age 24.

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Althea Gibson

Pioneering African American tennis player and golfer who broke through racial barriers in both sports during a time when opportunities for Black athletes were severely limited.

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