Ruane Jeter is known for her 1987 invention of the digital toaster called the, ‘Tiltser’ which allowed toast lovers to decide how brown they wanted their bread. Aside from her toaster invention, Jeter worked with Shelia Lynn Jeter. Together, they invented stationary items like sheathed scissors, the stapler, a staple remover and other office supplies. (courtesy of inventors.com)
Alice Parker is a Black female inventor known for her patented design for the gas heating furnace. Prior to her invention, people gathered and burned wood in their fireplaces which could be a fire hazard when left unattended. Parker’s invention led to the creation of modern day heating devices used in homes and businesses today. (courtesy photo)
Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was born in Monrovia, Liberia. She studied economics at various schools including Harvard University. Johnson-Sirleaf worked for the government and the Prime Minister of France. In 2005, she was elected as the first Black female president and Africa’s first female head of state to be democratically elected. In 2011, Johnson-Sirleaf received a Nobel Peace Prize which she shared with Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkol Karman for their women’s rights work and participation in peace building work. (AP photo)
Tamron Hall is an African American broadcast journalist from Texas. During her academic career, she studied broadcast journalism at Temple University. Later, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in broadcast journalism from Temple University. In 2014, Hall went on to become the first Black woman co-anchor on the ‘Today Show.’ Hall is formerly the anchor for NBC News, dayside anchor for MSNBC and host of ‘MSNBC Live with Tamron Hall.’ Today, she is the host of ‘Deadline Crime’ on Investigation Discovery (ID). (courtesy of today.com)
Lupita Nyong’o is a Mexican-Kenyan actress. Her most recent work includes, ‘Queen of Katwe’ (2016), ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ (2015), ‘The Jungle Book’ (2015), and more. Nyong’o studied at Hampshire College where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in film and theatre. Off the screen, Nyong’o is an activist and international advocate for women and children in Uganda and anti-poaching. In 2014, Nyong’o was announced as the news face of Lancôme, making her the first Black female spokesperson to appear on the brand. That same year, Nyong’o appeared on the July 2014 cover of Vogue magazine making her the second African woman and the ninth black woman to appear on the cover of the magazine. (courtesy of people.com)
Carla D. Hayden is an African American Florida native. Hayden holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Roosevelt University and a Master’s and Doctorate degree in library science from University of Chicago Graduate Library School. Hayden is a former CEO of Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, Maryland and president of the American Library Association (ALA). In 2016, Hayden assumed office under former President Barack Obama’s term as the 14th Librarian of Congress. Hayden is the first African American and woman to hold this position. (courtesy of ala.org)
