Fannie Lou Hamer, a prominent civil rights activist, dedicated her life to fighting for racial and gender equality. Despite facing poverty and discrimination, she persevered and became actively involved in voter registration drives and community organizing efforts. Hamer co-founded the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and played a vital role in organizing Mississippi’s Freedom Summer. Her legacy as an advocate for justice and empowerment continues to inspire future generations.

Sojourner Truth, born Isabella Baumfree around 1797, was an influential American abolitionist and activist for African-American civil rights, women’s rights, and alcohol temperance. She faced the hardships of slavery but managed to escape to freedom with her infant daughter in 1826. Truth’s life was full of remarkable achievements and courageous acts, making her an iconic figure in history.

Theresa Burroughs was a key figure in the civil rights movement, fighting for voting rights for African Americans in the 1960s. Growing up in Alabama, she witnessed the injustices faced by her community and dedicated her life to making a change. Burroughs played a pivotal role in the historic events in Selma, Alabama, and her unwavering commitment to equality left a lasting impact on society.

Mary Ann Wright, also known as Mother Wright, was a humanitarian activist who dedicated almost three decades of her life to feeding the residents of the East Bay. Born into poverty and raised by her father after losing her mother at a young age, she overcame many challenges as a single mother. A transformative moment in 1980 led her to establish the Mother Mary Ann Wright Foundation, providing meals, food, clothing, and toys to those in need. Her legacy as a trailblazer in the fight against hunger and poverty lives on.

Elizabeth Freeman, also known as Bet or Mum Bet, was the first enslaved African American to file and win a freedom suit in Massachusetts. Her courageous fight for freedom and the subsequent ruling by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court marked a significant milestone in the struggle for emancipation and the abolition of slavery in the United States.

Carlotta Walls LaNier, the youngest member of the Little Rock Nine, broke racial barriers as one of the first African-American students to attend Little Rock Central High School in 1957. Despite facing intense opposition and a bomb attack on her home, LaNier’s determination paved the way for future generations of African-Americans to access quality education. Her remarkable journey and advocacy for equal opportunities continue to inspire social progress.

Eliza Suggs, an African American author and activist, lived a life marked by resilience and determination. Overcoming the challenges of osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease, she defied expectations and became an advocate for social reform. Although her life was tragically shortened, her impact on society continues to inspire and empower future generations of African American women.

Sheila White, an African-American anti-sex trafficking activist, was born in 1988 in The Bronx, New York City. Her life story is one of resilience, overcoming immense challenges, and dedicating herself to raising awareness about the issue of human trafficking.

Coretta Scott King, born in 1927 in Heiberger, Alabama, was an American author, activist, and civil rights leader. She played a pivotal role in the civil rights movement and continued her advocacy for equality even after her husband, Martin Luther King Jr., was assassinated. Her tireless dedication to the cause earned her the title “First Lady of the Civil Rights Movement.”

Aurelia Shines Browder Coleman was an African-American civil rights activist born on January 29, 1919, in Montgomery, Alabama. Throughout her life, Browder played a crucial role in the fight for racial equality, leaving an indelible mark on history.

Amy Hester “Hetty” Reckless (1776–1881) was an influential figure in the American abolitionist movement and a key supporter of the Underground Railroad. Born into slavery in Salem, New Jersey, she overcame the cruelty of her owners to eventually escape to Philadelphia in 1826. Hetty became a founding member of the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society and played a crucial role in promoting abolitionist ideas. Her dedication to social justice and her tireless efforts in supporting the cause made her an influential leader in the abolitionist community.

Annie Lee Wilkerson Cooper was born in racially segregated Selma, Alabama, in 1909. She defied the limitations imposed on African-Americans and became a prominent civil rights activist. From standing up against racial segregation in her restaurant to registering to vote and participating in the historic Selma to Montgomery marches, Cooper’s unwavering courage and resilience left an indelible mark on the fight for racial justice. She passed away in 2010, leaving behind a legacy of advocacy and inspiration.

Rosa Parks, born in Tuskegee, Alabama in 1913, became a leading figure in the American civil rights movement. Her act of refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus to a white passenger sparked the Montgomery bus boycott. Parks’ bravery and determination inspired others to join the fight for equality, and she was awarded prestigious honors for her unwavering commitment to civil rights. She passed away in 2005, leaving behind a powerful legacy.

Charlotta Amanda Spears Bass, born in 1874 in Sumter, South Carolina, was an American educator, newspaper publisher-editor, and civil rights activist. She played a crucial role in advocating for civil rights and addressing social injustices faced by African Americans. Bass’s impact extended beyond her role as a newspaper publisher, as she inspired others to stand up for their rights and became the first African-American woman nominated for Vice President of the United States in 1952.

Henrietta Lacks, born Loretta Pleasant in 1920, had a profound impact on medical research. Despite facing numerous challenges throughout her life, Lacks is best known as the unwitting donor of the HeLa cell line, which revolutionized science and medicine. Her enduring legacy serves as a testament to the important role that individuals, like Lacks, can play in shaping the future of medicine.

Margaret Higgins Sanger, later known as Margaret Sanger Slee, was born on September 14, 1879, in Corning, New York. She grew up in a large, Catholic family and her childhood experiences greatly influenced her later work as a birth control activist and women’s rights advocate. Her mother, Anne Higgins, was a devout Catholic who had 18 pregnancies in 22 years, with 11 children surviving to adulthood. Sanger’s mother’s frequent pregnancies and the hardships they brought upon the family made a lasting impression on her.

Lucretia Mott was an American Quaker, abolitionist, women’s rights activist, and social reformer. She dedicated her life to advocating for the rights and equality of marginalized groups, including women and African Americans. Her passion for women’s rights was ignited when she was excluded from the World Anti-Slavery Convention held in London in 1840. Mott played a significant role in the establishment of educational institutions that benefitted women and remained a central figure in various reform movements until her death in 1880. Her tireless efforts and unwavering dedication continue to inspire generations of activists and advocates for social justice.