Shauna Mullins

Georgia learns about Opal Lee, the Grandmother of Juneteenth

Opal Lee is a force for change. Retired African American teacher, counselor and activist, Lee is known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth”. She led the charge for decades to make sure that Juneteenth received the recognition it deserved.  In 2016, Lee walked from Fort Worth, Texas to Washington, D.C. to gain support from Congress to make Juneteenth a national holiday. She walked two and a half…

Georgia learns about Her Story: Charity Earley, an American Hero and Black Female First

Charity Adams Earley (1918-2002) was the first Black officer of the Women’s Auxiliary Corps and the highest ranking Black female officer in the Army during World War 2.  Raised in Columbia, SC, Lt. Col. Earley graduated from the HBCU, Wilberforce University in Ohio. She majored in physics, mathematics and Latin. She was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Charity Earley joined the Women’s…

Her Story: Erin Jackson

Erin Jackson made history as the first Black woman to win a speedskating medal at the Winter Olympics. She had a time of 37.04 seconds in the 500 meters, earning her gold. Jackson started off as an inline skater and roller derby competitor. In 2018 she became the first Black woman to qualify for a U.S. Olympic long-track speed skating team after just four months on the ice.  In November 2021,…

Today we are commemorating the life of Funk legend Betty Davis (1944-2022). Known for her pioneering music style, she gained the title “Godmother of Funk”. Most of Betty Davis’ music was recorded between 1964 and 1975, but her impact has endured. She has inspired generations of musicians from Prince and Madonna to Erykah Badu.  Born as Betty Gray Mabry in North Carolina, Davis was a mainstay in…

Her Story: Alice Coachman

During the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, Alice Coachman became the first Black woman to win a gold medal, when she won the high jump competition. She was the only female American athlete to win a medal of any kind during these Olympics. Alice Coachman Growing up in Albany, Georgia, Coachman was 1 of 10 children. She was raised in the segregated South where she was often denied the chance to…

Black History Month with Her Story: Shariah Harris

Shariah Harris was First Black Woman To Ride In U.S. Polo’s Highest League Shariah started riding at age 8, when her mom took a wrong turn in the park and ended up at the riding stables. The family had  stumbled upon the Work-to-Ride program — a nonprofit organization in Philadelphia that is dedicated to exposing at-risk youth to equestrian activities.  Riding and Polo became a passion for…

Celebrating Black History Month with Her Story: Mamie Phipps Clark

Mamie Phipps Clark (1917-1983) was not only the first Black woman to earn a PhD from Columbia University, she made history as social psychologist when she helped outlaw segregation in schools.  Clark was born in Hot Spring, Arkansas during the Great Depression on April 18, 1917. Her father was a physician and her mother was a homemaker. But, this was also the Jim Crow south, where her entire…

Her Story: MaVynee Betsch

Celebrating Earth Day with “The Beach Lady” MaVynee Oshun Betsch! MaVynee Oshun Betsch (1935-2005) was a Black American environmentalist and activist. She is famously know as “The Beach Lady” for her conservation efforts and dedication to America Beach on Florida’s coast.  America Beach is a beach community that was built in the 1930s by MaVynee’s grandfather, Abraham Lincoln Lewis, Florida’s…

Salt-N-Pepa was one of the first all-female rap groups and arguably one of the best. These ground breaking Queens ushered in a new era of hip hop in 1985, speaking up for women and addressing issues previously considered taboo.  Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandy “Pepa” Denton met as nursing students at Queensborough Community College and worked together at a Sears in Queens, New York. They were…

Her Story: Augusta Baker

Augusta Braxton Baker was a trailblazing Black librarian, author and storyteller. She made history in 1961 when she became the first African American woman to hold an administrative position with the New York Public Library where she oversaw all 82 branches. She was a pioneering advocate of the positive portrayal of Black people in children’s literature.   In 1937 Baker began working as a…

Her Story: Mamie Smith

A little over a century ago, 28-year-old singer Mamie Smith walked into a recording studio in New York City and made history. Mamie Smith was the first person of any race (man or woman) to make a blues recording. Born 1891 Cincinnati, Mamie Smith is best known for the hit single “Crazy Blues” by Perry Bradford, which debuted  100 years ago. It sold 75,000 copies in the first month and a million…

Her Story: Stacy Abrams

Stacy Abrams is a politician, lawyer, activist, and a political game changer.  She served in Georgia’s house of Representatives for many years and became the first Black female major-party gubernatorial nominee in the United States in 2018.  Abrams lost the election for governor of Georgia due to voter suppression in the Black community. Her response was to found @FairFightAction and @FairCount…

Her Story: Andrea Hayes-Jordan

Andrea Hayes-Jordan is America’s first Black female board-certified pediatric surgeon. Professor, Researcher, Cancer Surgeon, Dr. Andrea Hayes-Jordan overcame monumental hurdles to succeed. She faced both racism and sexism working her way toward her dream. With persistence and hard work, broke new ground and paved the way for future female doctors. Andrea Hayes-Jordan became the Nation’s first…

Her Story: Nakate & Thunburg

On our last day of Women’s History Month we bring you an important moment of girl power, allyship, women supporting women, and climate justice with Vanessa Nakate and Greta Thunberg. In a blatantly racist act, the AP cropped Ugandan climate activist, Vanessa Nakate, out of a photo she appeared in with climate activist Greta Thunberg after they attended the World Economic Forum. While this may…

Her Story: Dominique Thorne

Dominique Thorne is making history as the first ever Black female lead in a Marvel series. Thorne will play the roll of Riri Williams, a brilliant teenage inventor from Chicago in the ‘Ironheart’ series on Disney+.  In the comics, Williams is a teenage genius who builds her own version of the Iron Man suit in an MIT dorm. Thorne is member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority at Cornell University…

Her Story: Ntozake Shange Visionary playwright, Black feminist, and fighter for racial justice. Ntozake Shange was a fierce advocate that addressed issues related to race and Black power in much of her work.

Celebrating Ntozake Shange, visionary playwright, Black feminist, and fighter for racial justice. Ntozake Shange was a fierce advocate that addressed issues related to race and Black power in much of her work.  Born as Paulette Williams on October 18, 1948, in Trenton, New Jersey.  Her family moved from Jersey to St. Louis in the 50s. Age 8 was a turning point in her life. She was bussed to an…

Her Story: Jewel Thais-Williams

Jewel Thais-Williams was the first Black woman to own a disco in the United States. A businesswoman, activist, and healer, Jewel Thais-Williams, stood up against hate and discrimination. She is also a national role model when it comes to serving the less fortunate. This is Her Story. Jewel Thais-Williams is knew from a young that she wanted to be self-employed. Growing up Black and in poverty,…