- Lucy Terry wrote "Bars Fight," a poem about a conflict between settlers and Native Americans that took place in 1746. This is her only surviving poem. She was also the first black woman to win a case brought before the Supreme Court.
Phillis Wheatley had the distinction of being the first published poet in 1773 and today is considered the founder of African-American literature.
In 1950 Gwendolyn Brooks became the first black poet to win the Pulitzer Prize.
In 1993, Toni Morrison was the first black person to win the Nobel Prize for Literature.
Rita Dove was the first black woman Poet Laureate. This title was hers from 1993 to 1995. - In 1955, Marion Anderson was the first black person to become a member of the Metropolitan Opera Company.
In 1958, Ella Fitzgerald was the first black female singer to win a Grammy.
The first Oscar awarded to an African American went to Hattie McDaniel in 1940 for her supporting role in Gone With the Wind.
The first black actress nominated for an Oscar as best actress was Dorothy Dandridge, in 1954, for her lead in "Carmen Jones." Halle Berry won the Oscar for best actress in 2001 for her role in "Monster's Ball."
In 1984, Vanessa Williams become the first black woman to win the crown of Miss America. When she lost her crown, Suzette Charles, the runner up, become the second black woman to become Miss America. - Madame C. J. Walker, born Sarah Breedlove Walker in 1867, was the first black woman to reach the status of millionaire through her successful hair products business.
Bessie Coleman was the first black woman to become a licensed pilot. The year was 1921.
In 2003 Oprah Winfrey became the first black female billionaire. Ms. Winfrey is also the first black woman to host a television show, "The Oprah Winfrey Show," which began in 1986. - During the 1948 Summer Olympics, Alice Coachman became the first individual gold medalist. She won for the high jump event.
Althea Gibson was the first black person to play in and win at Wimbleton and the U.S.National Tennis Championship. Ms. Gibson won won both tournaments in 1957 and 1958.
Wilma Rudolph won three gold medals in track and field at the Summer Olympics in 1960. - Patricia Roberts Harris was the first black female ambassador in 1965, serving in Luxembourg. In 1977, Harris became the first African American cabinet member, serving as the Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development.
Constance Baker Motley was the first black woman to become a federal judge, in 1966.
The first black woman to be a U.S. Representative was Shirley Chisholm. Serving in Congress from 1969 to 1982, Chisholm was also the first African-American woman to run for president, in 1972.
Carol Moseley-Braun served as the first black Senator from Illinois, from 1992 to 1998.
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