Appreciating The Contributions Of Black Female Pioneers
In February 2015 Alex created a personal project to develop his skills as an artist. Since February is Black History Month he illustrated Black women who had an impact on science, commerce, art and culture in the United States.
Initially he illustrated female jazz musicians in a naive, inky line art style. His first illustration was Dinah Washington. His work quickly evolved. He aimed for likeness over style. Inky black lines gave way to colorful and more realistic illustrations.
As he researched Black women in jazz he learned about Black women in professions outside of music. These women influenced science, commerce, art and culture. He broadened the scope of his theme.
From this project he learned to honor an artistic influence, stay with the effort no matter how frustrating it was at times, and let his style reveal itself. He learned about the important yet under-appreciated history and impact of Black women in American history.
Shoot Alex an email with your thoughts about this project.
Raven Wilkinson, first Black woman to dance for a major classical ballet company
Charlotte E Ray, first Black female lawyer in the United States
Carole Anne Marie Gist, first Black woman to win the Miss USA title
Donna Brazile, first Black woman to serve as the manager of a major political party's presidential campaign
Mayor Sharon Pratt Dixon Kelly, first Black woman to serve as mayor of a major American city
Susie King Taylor, first Black nurse during the American Civil War
Sissieretta Jones, one of the first Black American headliners to appear at Carnegie Hall
Octavia E Butler, the first Black science fiction writer to win a MacArthur Fellowship
Anne Wiggins, soprano, first Black student to attend Julliard
Georgia Ann Robinson, first Black policewomen to be hired by the Los Angeles Police Dept; one of the first Black policewomen to be hired in the U.S.
Dr. Mae Jemison, first Black woman in space
Donyale Luna, first Black supermodel
Helen Williams, one of the first African American models to be featured in mainstream publications of her time
Dr. Mildred Fay Jefferson, first Black woman graduate of Harvard Medical School; first woman employed as a general surgeon at Boston University Medical Center
Channing Dungey, first Black president of a major broadcast television network
Donna Alexander, one of the first African-American “Breck Girls”; head of Cook County Animal and Rabies Control in Illinois
Gwendolyn Brooks, the first African American to receive a Pulitzer Prize
Dr. Marie Daly, first African-American to receive a Ph.D. from Columbia University; the first African-American woman in the United States to earn a Ph.D. in chemistry