Women's History Wednesday Archives - Page 2 of 2

Nancy Lopez: Impacting the World of Golf

by Tanya Teat Foreman | Jun 2, 2024 | Women's History Wednesday

Welcome to Women’s History Wednesdays!

I was born into a golf family. My parents were founding members of two African American golf clubs in East Orange, New Jersey – the Duffers (men) and the Dufferettes (women). My parents played every weekend and traveled several times a year to tournaments all over the United States. The family watched golf every Sunday. As a kid, I helped my father create the poster board scoreboards (I had GREAT handwriting) for the golf tournaments his club hosted. I know A LOT about the sport but since golf overshadowed my childhood, I refused to play (except mini golf).

Nancy Lopez’s name was constant in my house. She was the first woman that I could remember that the TV tournaments made a big deal about. She was a trailblazing Mexican American professional golfer who left an indelible mark on the sport.

Nancy Marie Lopez was born on January 6, 1957, to Domingo and Marina Lopez in Torrance, California. She and her older sister were raised in Roswell, New Mexico. She discovered her love for golf at the tender age of 8 and began to play golf with her family. When her father recognized her athletic talent in the sport, he started to coach her, using old clubs with shortened shafts.

Amateur Success

Lopez won her first tournament at 9 years old. At age 12, she won three New Mexico Women’s Amateur Championships. She was a nationally ranked-amateur in high school. She led her “all-male” high school golf team to a state championship. In 1972 and 1974, she secured victory in the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship at ages 15 and 17, respectively. As a senior in high school, Lopez made her mark in the U.S. Women’s Open, tying for second place in 1975. Lopez enrolled at the University of Tulsa on a golf scholarship. In her freshman year, she won the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) national intercollegiate golf championship and was named the university’s Female Athlete of the Year. Lopez represented the U.S. in the Curtis Cup and World Amateur teams.

She turned pro after her sophomore year at UT and joined the LPGA Tour. Her debut season in 1978 was nothing short of spectacular. She won nine tournaments, including five consecutive victories and graced the cover of Sports Illustrated. She earned accolades such as LPGA Rookie of the Year and LPGA Player of the Year. Throughout her career, she amassed over 30 LPGA titles and became a dominant force in women’s golf. Despite taking partial seasons off in 1983 and 1984 due to motherhood, she continued to excel.

Returning full-time in 1985, Lopez achieved remarkable milestones with five wins, five seconds, and five thirds. She achieved money titles, scoring titles, and the prestigious Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year award (for the second time).

Legacy and Awards

Nancy Lopez’s legacy includes her induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1989, the USGA’s Bob Jones Award for distinguished sportsmanship, The Frances Ouimet Award for lifelong contributions to golf (the first woman to receive this honor) and her role as founder and principal of the Nancy Lopez Golf Company.

Nancy Lopez retired after the 2002 season because of physical ailments and familial responsibilities. She ended her career with 48 tournament wins totaling $5 million. Retirement has not stopped Lopez – she has a clothing and equipment line for women called Nancy Lopez Golf and she hosts an annual golf tournament where she lives in Florida to benefit AIM, a charity dedicated to helping people with special needs.

Nancy Lopez’s impact transcends golf; she embodies determination, excellence, and breaking barriers and inspires girls from any background to pick up a golf club and dream big.

To learn more about Nancy Lopez and her golf career, visit https://www.lpga.com/lpga-hall-of-fame/nancy-lopez

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Bessie Coleman: A Trailblazer in Aviation

by Tanya Teat Foreman | May 29, 2024 | Women's History Wednesday

Welcome to Women’s History Wednesdays!

Bessie Coleman was an African American woman whose humble beginnings did not stop her from becoming a celebrated aviator. She was born January 26, 1892, in Atlanta, Texas, U.S. and grew up in Waxahachie, Texas, as one of 13 children born to George and Susan Coleman. Because she was an excellent student, her mathematical aptitude allowed her to escape working in the cotton fields.

HIgh Flying Ideas

At 18, she attended the Oklahoma Colored Agricultural and Normal University in Langston, Oklahoma (now called Langston University) for one semester before she ran out of money and had to return home. Five years later, she decided to move to Chicago to live with her brothers. While in Chicago, Coleman worked as a manicurist at a barber shop where she heard stories about pilots flying missions in World War I. She became fascinated by aviation, which was a relatively new field at the time. She took a second job as a restaurant manager to help pay for flying lessons. Unfortunately, women (especially African American women) were not allowed to take flying lessons; however, despite facing discrimination, she was determined to become a pilot.

Determined To Fly

Discrimination prevented Coleman from entering aviation schools in the United States but she was undeterred. With the help of Black philanthropist Robert Abbott, founder and publisher of the African American newspaper, the Chicago Defender and financial support from banker, Jesse Binga, she learned French and traveled to France in 1920. She attended the Caudron Brothers School of Aviation in Le Crotoy, France. On June 15, 1921, she became the first American woman to obtain an international pilot’s license from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale.

Stunt Pilot

Coleman specialized in stunt flying and parachuting during her training in France. Her daring exploits were captured on newsreel films. She returned to the United States, where racial and gender biases prevented her from becoming a commercial pilot. Instead, she pursued a career in stunt flying, also known as barnstorming. Her most historic flights occurred on Labor Day, September 3, 1922, when Coleman staged the first public flight by an African American woman in America. She became a popular flier at aerial shows, refusing to perform before segregated audiences in the South. Coleman also spoke at schools and churches, encouraging Black people’s interest in aviation.

Dream Unrealized

Bessie Coleman’s goal was to establish a school to train Black aviators but tragically, during a rehearsal for an aerial show on 30 April 1926, her plane spun out of control, and she plummeted 2,000 feet to her death. Despite her untimely demise, Coleman’s legacy endures as a pioneering aviator who broke barriers and inspired generations. Her courage, determination, and passion for aviation continue to inspire us today and reminds us that the sky has no limits, regardless of our background or circumstances.

To learn more about Bessie Coleman, visit https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/bessie-coleman

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Dr. Rosalind Franklin: DNA Analysis and Genealogy

by Tanya Teat Foreman | May 19, 2024 | Women's History Wednesday

Welcome to Women’s History Wednesdays!

Genealogy has come a long way! Before the internet, researching your family’s history required traveling to different areas and repositories to copy documents. Nowadays, online genealogy sites can help you perform research faster without leaving the comforts of your home; you can create a family tree on most sites. DNA analysis has added another component to genealogical research, proving familial relationships beyond a shadow of a doubt. In 2022, genealogy companies sold over $1.4 billion of direct-to-consumer DNA kits. People want to find their relatives or discover their ethnicity. We can thank Rosalind Franklin for her research and insight into DNA research.

The Scientist

Rosalind Elsie Franklin was born on July 25, 1920, in London, England. She attended St. Paul’s Girls’ School and studied physical chemistry at Newnham College, University of Cambridge, obtaining her PhD from Cambridge with a focus on the physical chemistry of solid organic colloids. She conducted research in Paris and then joined King’s College London where she conducted groundbreaking research on DNA. Franklin was passionate about her work and immersed herself in X-ray diffraction studies, which led to her critical insights into DNA structure.

DNA Discovery

Rosalind Franklin’s research played a crucial role in the discovery of the double helix structure of DNA. She worked on X-ray diffraction images of DNA, including the famous Photo 51, which provided critical evidence for the helical nature of DNA. Unfortunately, during her lifetime, Franklin’s contributions to DNA research were largely unrecognized. Nicknamed the “wronged heroine” or the “dark lady of DNA,” today’s scientists have lauded Franklin as the “Sylvia Plath of molecular biology;” however, her work has since gained recognition.

How Franklin’s Work Affects Genealogy

Franklin’s work indirectly contributed to the development of DNA sequencing techniques. These methods allow scientists to read the order of nucleotides (A, T, C, G) in a person’s DNA. Genealogical DNA testing relies on sequencing specific regions of an individual’s genome to create a DNA profile. This profile can be used to identify relatives, trace ancestry, and explore family connections. Franklin’s discoveries inspired subsequent research that led to the creation of commercial DNA testing kits. Companies like AncestryDNA and 23andMe use these kits to analyze specific genetic markers and provide insights into an individual’s ancestry. dna analysis

Franklin faced challenges as a woman in the male-dominated scientific field but persevered with determination. Unfortunately, Franklin’s life ended too soon. She received a diagnosis of ovarian cancer in 1956. Despite her illness, she continued working until her health deteriorated significantly. Rosalind Franklin died on April 16, 1958, at 37 years old.

Rosalind Franklin’s life was characterized by her unwavering commitment to scientific exploration, her passion for research, and her dedication to unraveling the mysteries of molecular structures.

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Shirley Chisholm: A Trailblazer in American Politics

by Tanya Teat Foreman | May 14, 2024 | Women's History Wednesday

Welcome to Women’s History Wednesdays!

Shirley Chisholm was an extraordinary American politician who made significant contributions to civil rights, women’s rights, and social justice and was a trailblazer in American Politics.

Shirley Anita Chisholm was born on November 30, 1924, in Brooklyn, New York. Chisholm spent her early years in Barbados, developing a strong sense of identity and pride in her heritage. She excelled academically and earned her college degree in the United States, attending Brooklyn College and later Columbia University. In 1964, overcoming resistance due to her gender, New Yorkers elected Chisholm to the New York State Assembly.

Four years later, in 1968, she made history by becoming the first African American woman elected to the United States Congress. She represented New York’s 12th congressional district for seven terms (1969–1983). Chisholm had an unwavering commitment to social justice. She championed anti-poverty programs, educational reform, and civil rights.

In 1972, Shirley Chisholm made another groundbreaking move – she announced her candidacy for the Democratic Party’s nomination for the President of the United States, becoming the first black candidate for a major party nomination. Her decision to run was historic because she became the first black candidate from a major political party to seek the presidency. Chisholm created her campaign slogan of “Unbought and Unbossed,” emphasizing her independence and refusal to be influenced by special interests. As a black woman, Chisholm faced significant challenges during her campaign. She encountered racism, sexism, and skepticism from some quarters. Despite these obstacles, she remained steadfast in her commitment to represent the underrepresented and marginalized.

Chisholm’s campaign platform focused on social justice, civil rights, and economic equality. She advocated for universal healthcare, education reform, women’s rights, racial equality and anti-poverty measures. Many of these issues African Americans continue to fight for today.

Chisholm participated in several Democratic primaries in New Hampshire, Florida, and California. Although she didn’t win any primaries, her campaign garnered attention and inspired many. At the 1972 Democratic National Convention in Miami, Florida, Chisholm made history by receiving 152 delegate votes, demonstrating her impact on the party and the nation. While Chisholm did not secure the nomination, her campaign left an indelible mark. She shattered barriers, paving the way for future black and female candidates.

Throughout her career, Chisholm took a resolute stand against economic, social, and political injustices. She advocated for black civil rights and women’s rights, using her platform to amplify marginalized voices. Chisholm’s legacy continues to inspire generations of leaders who fight for equality and justice.

After retiring from Congress in 1983, Chisholm taught at Mount Holyoke College while remaining active in political organizing. In 1993, she was nominated for the ambassadorship to Jamaica, but health issues prevented her from accepting the position. Shirley Anita Chisholm, the trailblazing American politician, passed away in Ormond Beach, Florida on January 1, 2005 at 80 years old due to complications after a series of strokes.

In 2015, Shirley Chisholm was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, recognizing her immense contributions to American society.

Shirley Chisholm’s life story serves as a testament to courage, resilience, and the power of one person’s voice to effect change. She blazed trails, shattered glass ceilings, and left an indelible mark on American history.

The 6888th Postal Battalion

by Tanya Teat Foreman | May 6, 2024 | Women's History Wednesday

The 6888th Postal Battalion was first featured in a blog post in the November 2022 issue of the Family Jewels newsletter; however, it is definitely worth repeating! Tyler Perry is directing and producing a Netflix film about these incredibly fearless African American women. This movie has star-studded actresses including Kerry Washington and Oprah Winfrey. The movie is due to be released sometime in 2024.

The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion also known as the Six Triple Eight was an all-African American, all-female postal military unit that delivered mail across England and France to American troops, government personnel and Red Cross volunteers during WWII. A warehouse in England stored millions of pieces of mail considered undeliverable. Mail improperly addressed or the shifting locations of troops made them hard to find. This affected the morale of servicemen because they could not receive packages or letters from loved ones. The Army estimated that it would take six months or more to deliver the backlog.months or more to deliver the backlog.

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt created The Women’s Army Corps (WAC) to include women in the war effort. First Lady Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt along with civil rights leader Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune advocated for African American Women to have a place in WAC despite segregation. By late 1944, about 817 African American women enlisted and trained in Oglethorpe, Georgia to serve overseas.

The Army established the 6888th battalion in February of 1945 and chose Major Charity Edna Adams to lead these women. They understood the perils of delivering mail in a war zone. The women of the “Six Triple Eight” worked three eight-hour shifts seven days a week around the clock to sort and deliver the backlog. Using this method, they created a new tracking system and managed to process the backlog in three months instead of the estimated six.

The British and the French celebrated and praised the 6888th but the United States ignored their valor and tenacity when they arrived back home. They returned to the United States in February 1946 without a parade, fanfare, or a hero’s welcome and the Army deactivated the unit shortly thereafter. On March 14, 2022, President Joe Biden awarded the 6888th the Congressional Gold Medal, 76 years after they disbanded at Fort Dix, New Jersey.