We Remember the Marches—But Not the Women Who Made Them Possible
To tell the truth about how the movement endured, we have to listen for the voices history often lowered. Even among the women we do remember, their leadership is often mis-framed.
Article Category: Pathfinders
1950’s Claudette Colvin — We Will Not Be Moved
Originally published on March 28, 2024 Claudette Colvin passed away on January 13, 2026. We honor her life, courage, and enduring legacy in the Civil Rights Movement. Claudette Colvin—young, courageous, and defiant in the face of segregation—sparked one of the most infamous movements of the 20th century. In the heart of Montgomery, Alabama, she took…
Anna Julia Cooper: Champion of Black Women’s Voices
Born into slavery in Raleigh, North Carolina, Anna Julia Cooper transformed the limitations imposed upon Black women into fuel for her relentless pursuit of education and justice.
Dorothy Cotton: An Architect of the Civil Rights Movement
When we think of the Civil Rights Movement, names like Martin Luther King, Jr. and John Lewis dominate the narrative. Dorothy Cotton, an unsung architect of racial justice, embodied the period of protest and change.
Tradition of Giving- Celebrating Our Philanthropy
The tradition of Black philanthropy predates the Civil War. Black men and women joined with White abolitionists in the spirit of giving time, money and activism.
“Small d” Democrats Demand Full Citizenship
It is in the spirit of Fannie Lou Hamer and countless Black women small “d” democrats who sacrificed blood and determination, that we hail the nomination of Kamala Harris.
Celebrating Three Blues Queens
Musical royalty, they were all late 19th Century contemporaries who staked out their legendary portraits: the First Lady of Blues Mammie Smith, the Mother of Blues Ma Rainey, the Empress of Blues Bessie Smith.
Showing Up With the Stars in Paris Noir
Bricktop, the fiery red headed saloon keeper, held court in Paris' "it" scene. Captivating artists and expats helped her build bridges that traversed class, nationalism and cultures.
Shirley Chisholm Legacy Claimed A Seat at the Table for Black Women
The life of the great Shirley Chisholm was punctuated with pivotal firsts.
Marsha P. Johnson – Queen of the Village
The 1960's whirlwind of change brought a new form of LGBTQ activism, led by Marsha P. Johnson and other transwomen who made a lasting imprint on the movement.
