It is always refreshing to see how FAWCO highlights the achievements of some truly incredible women who are its members, past and present, doing amazing things around the world. As a member of an international women's organization whose members include authors, musicians, philanthropists, and just plain amazing women, it is an honor to be in such company, yet it is also a bit lonely. When I look at all of the women who represent FAWCO, I don't see many that look like me. While I can share experiences of being an "American" living in another country, I haven't been able to share experiences of being a woman of color living in another country. The way I communicate, my world perception and past experiences are, in large part, shaped by the color of my skin, something that the majority of FAWCO members cannot share. Now, this is not anything derogatory towards FAWCO or its members, it is simply the reality, as with many other organizations.
However, I believe that an international women’s organization with a strong focus on human rights, specifically women’s issues, should also pay tribute to the black women who helped pave the way for all women today. We all know about Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Maya Angelou, Josephine Baker, Toni Morrison, Halle Berry, Oprah Winfrey and other “well known” names, but what about those who haven’t made it into the history books or on to the cover of Forbes? Women like Charlotte Rae (1850-1911) who was the first African American woman lawyer in the United States and the first woman admitted to the bar in the District of Columbia. She earned a law degree in 1872 from Howard University and was admitted to the bar in the District of Columbia, which had recently changed its laws to omit "male" from the requirements for the bar. As a "colored woman lawyer" she was unable to sustain a successful private practice. So, to celebrate Black History Month, I thought it would be a good idea to pay homage to some incredibly talented women who shaped our lives today. Here are a few notable women in history whose names you should know, if you don’t already.
Have you ever wondered where the idea of curling or straightening hair through heat originated? Who made it possible to see a caller's identity before picking up a phone? Maybe you would like to know where holographic or some gaming imagery originated? Did you ever want to know just who was behind the technology that restored or enhanced sight? Just who should we acknowledge for making us feel safe in our homes today?
It is black women inventors that developed these great technologies - some simple some not so much - that we count on as part of our daily lives. They have had a tremendous impact on how we live our lives now and I think it is important that we honor them. This is not, by any means, a complete list of black women inventors, but it is a start.
Sarah E. Goode was born a slave and was the first black woman to receive a patent in 1885. After the Civil War, she moved to Chicago and became a furniture store owner. Her invention was the Folding Cabinet Bed. Space was limited in some homes so her invention enabled folks to store their beds. When the bed was folded, it looked like a desk. The invention itself had several compartments for storage.
Miriam Benjamin was a D.C. school teacher and the second black woman to receive a patent. She received a patent in 1888 for an invention called a Gong and Signal Chair for Hotels. Customers were able to summon their waiter from their chairs. The button on the chair would alert the waiters' station. A simple light on the chair would let the staff know who wanted the service. The invention was adapted and used by the United States House of Representatives.
Sarah Boone developed an improvement to the ironing board, patented in 1892. The board was far narrower which enabled users to iron and fit sleeves. Plus it was reversible. Prior to this, users used flat plank sized boards or tables.
Madam C.J. Walker was a successful self-made millionaire, from selling hair care products. At first it was the Madam Walker's Wonderful Hair Grower then the Walker Hair Care System that grew her wealth. She worked tirelessly, traveling and making house calls early in her career. She ultimately opened and operated 200 beauty schools across the nation.
Marjorie Joyner was the granddaughter of a slave owner and a slave. In 1916, she became the first black woman to graduate from the A. B. Molar Beauty School. She developed the invention called the Permanent Waving Machine, which permed or straightened hair by wrapping it in rods, patented in 1928. She never profited directly from the invention because she was an employee of Madam C. J. Walker, a beauty entrepreneur and tycoon. Walker owned the rights. She served as the National Supervisor for Walker's 200 beauty schools after her death.
Bessie Blount was a physical therapist who served during WWII. She invented a feeding tube device that enabled wounded soldiers to consume a mouthful of food upon biting down on a tube. The patent was developed in 1951. She also received another patent for a modified version that consisted of a smaller tube that could be worn around the patient's neck.
Marie Van Brittan Brown along with husband Albert Brown invented the first video home security system, patented in 1969.
Virgie Ammons patented the Damper in 1974. The Damper stays locked, preventing debris, dust and cold air from entering the chimney, then entering the house.
Valerie Thomas is an American scientist who worked at NASA. She is the inventor of the Illusion Transmitter, patented in 1980. A transmitter makes it possible to see three-dimensional illusions in real-time.
Dr. Betty Harris is a scientist and expert in the chemistry of explosives. Her invention is a spot test for identifying explosives in field of environment, patented in 1986.
Dr. Shirley Jackson is the first African-American woman to receive a Ph.D. from MIT in nuclear physics. She is the 18th president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the first woman and first African-American to hold this position. Her inventions include developments in the portable fax, touch tone telephone, solar cell, and the fiber optic cables used to provide clarity in overseas telephone calls. She has also helped make possible Caller ID and Call Waiting.
Dr. Patricia Bath is an ophthalmologist. She was the first African American resident at New York University. In 1975, Bath became the first African-American woman surgeon at the UCLA Medical Center and the first woman faculty member at the UCLA Jules Stein Eye Institute. She has become famous for the Laserphaco Probe, a surgical tool that uses a laser to vaporize cataracts. After using the Laserphaco Probe to remove a cataract, the patient’s lens can be removed and a replacement lens inserted. She received her first patent for the device in May, 1988, followed by another in December, 1998. She holds four U.S. patents for innovations related to the Laserphaco.
Janet Emerson Bashen is the first African American female to hold a patent for a software invention. The development was LinkLine, a web-based application for Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) claims intake and tracking, claims management, document management and numerous reports. It was patented in 2006.