This Week In Black History (October 5 – October 11)

October 5, 1932 – Yvonne Brathwaite Burke was the first Black Congresswoman from California. Born in Los Angeles, Burke discovered a lot of feats, in 1966, she became the first African American woman elected to the California assembly. In 1972, she served as Vice-Chairman on the platform committee at the Democratic National Convention. That same year she became the first Black woman from California (and one of only three Black women ever) elected to the House. (Photo Courtesy: National Archives and Records Administration)

October 6, 1917 – Activist, Fannie Lou Hamer was born in Montgomery County, Mississippi. Hamer was a civil rights activist who helped African Americans register to vote and co-founded the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party in 1964. Hamer also worked for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), which fought racial segregation and injustice in the South. Hamer is well known for inspiring quote: “I am sick and tired of being sick and tired.” (Courtesy Photo)

October 7, 1934 – Amiri Baraka was born in Newark, New Jersey. A playwright, poet, activist and scholar, Baraka was a prominent voice in the African American community, publishing “Blues People: The Negro Music in White America” (1963) and “The Autobiography of LeRoi Jones/Amiri Baraka” (1984). He was civil rights activist and Black nationalist that lead the Black Arts Movement. (Photo Courtesy: Julian C. Wilson/AP Photo, File)

October 8, 2004 – Dr. Wangari Muta Maathai became the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace.” The Kenyan ecologist is an, activist, feminist, professor and politician who influenced the world with her mission to promote environmental progression by improving the quality of human life through nature. (Photo: Charley Gallay/Getty Images)

October 9, 1806 – Benjamin Banneker died this year. A scientist, Banneker was born on November 9, 1731, in Ellicott’s Mills, Maryland to a former slave and an indentured servant, Englishwoman. Banneker was educated in astronomy and mathematics. He contributed to the construction of the nation’s capital. Banneker published for a catalogue of almanacs for detaling his work as an astromunmer, literature and medicine. He exchanged letters with Thomas Jefferson, politely challenging him to do what he could to ensure racial injustice. (Courtesy Photo)

October 10, 1917 – Jazz pianist Theolonius Monk was born in Rocky Mount, NC. Monk is one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time and one of first creators of modern jazz and bebop. He performed at famous jazz club, Milton’s Playhouse, where other jazz musicians Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Park performed as well. Monk is remembered for many of his musical compositions, including “Well, You Needn’t,” “Blue Monk” and “Round Midnight.” (Photo Courtesy: William Gottlieb/Library of Congress via Flickr)

October 11,1887 – The elevator as well as safety devices for elevators where invented by African American inventor, Alexander Miles. He was one of the men who made a significant contribution to the automation of elevator doors. That year, he was awarded the U.S. Patent 371,207 for an improved mechanism for opening and closing the doors to the shaft and the elevator. (Courtesy Photo)

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