KRLemmons African American Biography, Resources

March 23 Woman of the Day: Patricia Roberts Harris

Patricia Roberts Harris, who joined the ancestors on March 23, 1985 is March 23 Woman of the Day.  She was the first African American woman to become a cabinet member, the first to head a law school and the first to serve as an ambassador.  Read about this pioneer woman here:

More information about Patricia Roberts Harris:

National Museum of African American History and Culture: http://go.si.edu/site/MessageViewer?em_id=17367.0&dlv_id=19421

Encyclopedia Britannica: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/255927/Patricia-Roberts-Harris

KRLemmons African American Biography, Resources

March 21 Woman of the Day Norma Sklarek, African American Architect

March 21 Woman of the Day is Norma Sklarek, the first licensed African American female   architect in 1954.  Information about this pioneer can be found here:

Visionary Video: http://www.visionaryproject.org/sklareknorma/

About.com: http://architecture.about.com/od/architectsaz/p/sklarek.htm

Obituary, includes slide show of Sklarek’s projects: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/10/norma-merrick-sklarek-first-black-female-licensed-architect-dies_n_1268748.html#s683993&title=Norma_Sklarek

Women in Architecture: http://women-in-architecture.com/fileadmin/wia/pdfs/PDFs_Role_Models/Norma_Merrick_Sklarek.pdf

KRLemmons African American Biography, Resources

March 20 Woman of the Day Mae C. Jemison

March 20 Woman of the Day is Mae C. Jemison, the first African American female astronaut.  Information about this pioneer can be found here:

Space.com: http://www.space.com/17169-mae-jemison-biography.html                                Short bio via YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgOaIKshbIU                            Living Smart interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fv4TditrXt8

Books About Mae C. Jemison:

Mae Jemison: Awesome Astronaut (Women in Science) by Jill C. Wheeler (2012)

Mae Jemison: Out of This World (Gateway Biographies) by Rose Blue (2003)

KRLemmons African American Biography, Resources

March 22 Woman of the Day: Debi Thomas, World Figure Skater Champion

March 22 Woman of the Day is Debi Thomas, the first African American woman to win a world figure skating championship on this day in 1986.  Thomas is now a doctor.  Read about this pioneer here:

Dr. Thomas: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/changingthefaceofmedicine/physicians/biography_318.html

Profile via YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lsrznhtp1nI

1986 World Figure Skating Championships, Ladies Long Program: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZK-BNn4HYg

1988 Winter Olympics, Short Program: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChmdEFrn3OY

KRLemmons African American Biography, Resources

March 19 Woman of the Day: Billie Holiday

Billie Holiday, who, along with The Count Basie Orchestra, and Jimmy Rushing, performed at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem on this day in 1937.  Information about this talented singer can be found here:

PBS: http://www.pbs.org/jazz/biography/artist_id_holiday_billie.htm                                      NPR: http://www.npr.org/artists/14894617/billie-holiday

Official Website: http://www.billieholiday.com/                                                                           Youtube Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4ZyuULy9zs