[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 27, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E210]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN: YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND TOMORROW

                                 ______


                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 27, 1996

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, 20 years ago in 1976, the month of February 
was officially set aside by Congress to pay tribute to, honor, and 
respect African-Americans who have made key contributions to the 
diversity and greatness of the United States. The purpose of Black 
History Month this year is to reflect upon some of the African-American 
women who have made extraordinary achievements in civil rights, 
politics, science, entertainment, literature, and athletics.
  African-American women have proven themselves invaluable as leaders 
in the evolution of our great Nation. Their vigorous and passionate 
participation in the age-old struggle for freedom has resulted in a 
rich history of heroines. As the list of these women and their 
accomplishments is long, I regretfully must choose only a few examples.
  In July 1849, the ex-slave abolitionist, Harriet Tubman, assisted in 
the underground railroad to free over 300 slaves. Her courage and 
selflessness demonstrated her character of integrity and honor while in 
the pursuit of freedom and right. She is known as the Moses of her 
people. Nearly a century later, this same courage and fight for 
equality was demonstrated by Rosa Parks in Montgomery, AL, when she 
refused to give up her bus seat to a white person when she was ordered 
to move by the bus driver. As a result of her unyielding character and 
strong belief in what is right, a bus boycott occurred, after which 
segregation on buses was declared as a violation of guaranteed American 
rights.
  Patricia Robert Harris, a lawyer and diplomat, became the first 
African-American woman Ambassador to be appointed to an overseas post. 
Three years later, in 1968, Shirley Chisholm was elected to the U.S. 
House of Representatives. Recently in 1992, Carol E. Moseley Brown was 
elected to the U.S. Senate. I applaud my past and current colleagues 
for their fine and distinguished leadership.
  In 1873, Susan McKinney Steward overcame great obstacles to become 
the first African-American woman to be formally certified as a doctor. 
Her innovative and stalwart personality enabled her to create the 
Women's Loyal Union of New York and Brooklyn and to cofound a women's 
hospital in Brooklyn. The medical field, thanks to her pioneering 
example, has opened its doors to women. Today, women are entering the 
medical profession in increasing numbers, often representing a majority 
of the student body at our leading medical schools.
  Additional accomplishments by African-American women in America are 
found in the space program. Mac C. Jemison was the first African-
American woman in space in 1992. Another grand achievement is the work 
of Katherine Johnson, an aerospace technologist with NASA. She is a 
pioneer in new navigation procedures to track space missions.
  African-American women have excelled in the entertainment world, 
covering the spectrum of music and dance to books and TV journalism. 
Due to her outstanding performance in ``Gone With the Wind,'' actress 
Hattie McDaniel was the first African-American woman to win an Academy 
Award. Maya Angelou, the actress, dancer, writer, and poet, who is well 
known for her book ``I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,'' stands apart as 
a distinguished and invaluable asset to a greater understanding in this 
country. A few years back Toni Morrison was awarded the Nobel Peace 
Prize in literature. News reporter Carole Simpson has made significant 
advancements in the media profession, moving from a Chicago TV reporter 
in 1970 to the anchor of ABC's ``World News Saturday.''
  Athletically, African-American women have demonstrated outstanding 
strength, skill, and discipline in many sports. In 1951, Althea Gibson 
was the first African-American woman to play at Wimbledon, and later 
went on to win the singles and doubles title--with her partner, Darlene 
Hard--in 1957. In the Olympics, Jackie Joyner-Kersee is acclaimed 
internationally as the world record holder in the heptathlon.
  Each of these extraordinary African-American women has set her sights 
high and tackled difficult challenges to reach her goals. In African-
American communities and in all of America, these women provide 
valuable examples of success. Still, there are countless African-
American women who have dedicated their lives to something they 
wholeheartedly believe in, but many never receive public recognition. I 
am delighted to invite my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
outstanding African-American women of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

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