Amazing Women in Black History
Ella Baker – Civil rights and
human rights activist whose
career spanned 5 decades.
“The major job was getting people to
understand that they had something
within their power that they could use, and
it could only be used if they understood
what was happening and how group
action could counter violence…”
Funmilayo Ransome Kuti - was
a teacher, political campaigner,
women’s rights activist and
traditional aristocrat. Her
activism led to her being
described as the doyen of
female rights in Nigeria, as well
as to her being regarded as
“The Mother of Africa.”
“No member of the union should think
herself better than the others. All must
move freely and happy together.”
Septima Poinsette Clark
- was an American educator
and civil rights activist. Clark
developed the literacy and
citizenship workshops that
played an important role in the
drive for voting rights and civil
rights for African Americans
in the American Civil Rights
Movement.
“I have a great belief in the fact that
whenever there is chaos, it creates wonderful
thinking. I consider chaos a gift.”
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AMAZING WOMEN SPEAK!
www.amazingwomannetwork.com
Diane Nash - Her efforts included
the first successful civil rights
campaign to de-segregate lunch
counters, the Freedom riders, who
de-segregated interstate travel;
founding the Student Nonviolent
Coordinating Committee (SNCC);
and the Selma Voting Rights
Movement campaign, which
resulted in African Americans
getting the vote and political
power throughout the South.
“This will be a black baby born in Mississippi,
and thus where ever he is born he will be
in prison ... If I go to jail now it may help
hasten that day when my child and all
children will be free.”
Yaa Asantewa - was appointed
queen mother of Ejisu in the
Ashanti Empire—now part of
modern-day Ghana. In 1900 she
led the Ashanti rebellion known
as the War of the Golden Stool
against British colonialism.
“Now I see that some of you fear to go forward
to fight for our king. If it were in the brave days
of Osei Tutu, Okomfo Anokye, and Opoku
Ware, chiefs would not sit down to see their
king to be taken away without firing a shot.
No European could have dared speak to chiefs
of Asante in the way the governor spoke to
you this morning. Is it true that the bravery
of Asante is no more? I cannot believe it. It
cannot be! I must say this: if you, the men of
Asante, will not go forward, then we will. We,
the women, will. I shall call upon my fellow
women. We will fight the white men. We will
fight till the last of us falls in the battlefields.”