First To Accomplish
They were the first person to accomplish something in any endeavor. And because they were the first at doing what they did, they achieved a historical first. It’s a difficult and remarkable feat to be the first at doing something when you have to overcome blatant racism and sexism, but they did it because they had the drive and determination. This is a list that is made up of people in a variety of areas. You’ll find folks in medicine, sports, military, government, law, sciences-inventor, literature, and many other fields.
Below you’ll find many prominent African Americans that achieved a significant firsts, such as the first Black man and woman to get a medical degree and so on. Many are well known such as Jackie Robinson, Benjamin O. Davis Sr, and Thurgood Marshall, yet there are others that are not quite as familiar, such as Hazel Johnson-Brown or George Taliaferro. Nonetheless, their achievements and efforts warrant their place on this list.
Regardless of when, where or the circumstances, the progress of these African Americans is a reflection of the struggles and hard work that they overcame, to reach the goals of freedom, equality, and justice. Because these men and women had the courage and boldness to be the first person to accomplish something that no one of their race did, they deserve applause and acknowledgment.
- First To Accomplish
- Men
- Women
- Civics
- Government
- Inventions-Sciences
- Military
- Medicine
- Sports
Macon Bolling Allen
First Black man to become a lawyer and second to become a judge.
Emmett Ashford
First Black man to umpire a Major League Baseball game at 3rd base on April 11, 1966,
Alexander Thomas Augusta
First Black professor of medicine. Taught at Howard University.
Jane Bolin
First Black woman ever to become a judge. She was an appointed judge
Blanche K. Bruce
First elected Black senator to serve a full term. (It was in the State of Mississippi)
Ralph J. Bunche
As U.N ambassador, the first Black person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. (in 1950).
William Harvey Carney Jr.
First Black Medal of Honor recipient. It was for valor during the Civil War
Shirley Chisholm
First Black woman elected to the U.S Congress and to run for president of the United States
Bessie Coleman
“Queen Bess,” as she was known, became the first Black woman to hold a pilot license.
Minnie Cox
First federal Black female postmaster. It was in the state of Louisiana.
Rebecca Crumpler
First Black female to earn a medical degree. Unfortunately there are no images of her.
Ernie Davis
First Black player to win the Heisman and to be drafted #1 in the National Football League.
Benjamin Oliver Davis Sr
First Black general in any branch of the U.S. military.
Crystal Dreda Bird Fauset
First Black woman ever elected to a state legislature, (Pennsylvania)
Henry O. Flipper
First Black person to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy