When Hidden Figures won Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture at this year’s SAG Awards, Taraji P. Henson wanted to make something clear in her acceptance speech. If their hit film had accomplished one thing, it made sure that Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson were “hidden figures no more!” And she had a point. Many of us had never heard of the Black women at NASA whose calculations helped get a man into space during the height of racial segregation until Hidden Figures was made.
This isn’t an unfamiliar plight for Black women. Take Zora Neale Hurston, for example. The novelist who wrote Their Eyes Were Watching God died poor and was buried in an unmarked grave. Her work came to notoriety posthumously thanks to Alice Walker.
It’s too easy to forget the contributions, ingenuity, and creativity of Black women. We’re often forced to move in silence through our respective fields. And even when we aren't forgotten, our legacies are often told in the service of something or someone else.
As a result, every opportunity to uplift the names of Black women who have lived in similar obscurity is worth it. We deserve respect on our names. So let’s start now.
Photo: Courtsey of indiewire.com
Maria P. Williams
The Flames of Wrath is a five-reel mystery drama movie that was made in 1923. This silent film was made by Maria P. Williams, who also starred in the silent film. As such, Williams is the first Black woman film producer in United States history. She achieved this accolade while serving as the secretary and treasurer of the Western Film Producing Co. Her husband was the president. [plays Mary J. Blige “Not Gon’ Cry”]
Photo: ABC Photo Archive/GETTY
Minnie Riperton
Contrary to what some whippersnappers may think, Mariah Carey didn’t perfect the whistle register. Before her, there was Minnie Riperton. Known for her five-octave range, Ripperton was shattering glasses when Mariah Carey was still sneaking the radio under the covers at night. Riperton, who is the late mother of SNL star, Maya Rudolph, was also one of the first celebrities to go public about her breast cancer diagnoses and subsequent mastectomy. Unfortunately, her cancer had already spread. She died on July 12, 1979 in her husband’s arms, listening to a song that Stevie Wonder made personally for her.
Edmonia Lewis
The world of highbrow art is almost exclusively dominated by white men. But if you were paying attention to Google’s doodle on February 1st, you’ll have noticed the Black woman that slipped through the cracks. Edmonia Lewis was a sculptor who gained international recognition in the fine arts world. Even in the late 19th century, Lewis had to code switch. She would intentionally represent some of her human sculptures with more European features so that critics wouldn’t interpret her work as self-portraiture. God forbid a Black woman finds herself worthy of art.
Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/GETTY
Ella Fitzgerald
Beyoncé, in all of her Grammy-nominated glory, undoubtedly stands on the shoulders of Ella Fitzgerald. As a jazz singer, Fitzgerald was the first Black woman to win the honor from the Recording Academy, during their inaugural event in 1958. While people recognize Fitzgerald for her role as a legendary singer, they rarely acknowledge the mainstream influence that she had on pop culture. She starred in movies, television roles, and commercials. She had endorsement deals and campaigns. She was an icon.
Black female icons are always packaged as isolated forces. But there is a lineage there and Fitzgerald sits prominently within it.
PHOTO: MICHAEL OCHS ARCHIVES/GETTY.
Madame C. J. Walker
While many people claim that Madame C. J. Walker was the first Black female millionaire, research and Walker’s own recollections suggest otherwise. (Even before Instagram we assumed that successful people are richer than they actually are.) But she was still one of the first Black girl bosses. Her line of beauty and hair care products was wildly successful and at the peak of her career, she employed a couple thousand employees. She was #selfmade through and through. Her relationships and career are testament to that.
This posting is a repost of an article written by Sesali Bowen on Refinery29.