The document discusses the history and importance of Black History Month. It provides brief biographies of important historical figures who contributed to the civil rights movement, including Carter G. Woodson who founded Negro History Week, Frederick Douglass who fought against slavery, and Martin Luther King Jr. who led the civil rights movement. It also highlights achievements by African Americans such as Colin Powell being the first Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Mae Jemison being the first African American woman in space.

1. Black History Month Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise. I rise. I rise. ~Maya Angelou, "Still I Rise," And Still I Rise If there is no struggle, there is no progress. ~Frederick Douglass The time is always right to do what is right. ~Martin Luther King, Jr. I had no idea that history was being made. I was just tired of giving up. ~Rosa Parks www.WeArePaid.com February 1, 2011

2. Carter G. Woodson 1875 - 1950 Black History Month – WeArePaid 2011 Founder of Negro History Week (now “Black History Month”) 2

3. Frederick Douglass (1817 – 1895) Black History Month – WeArePaid 2011 Abolitionist, orator and writer who fought against slavery and for women's rights. Douglass was the first African-American citizen appointed to high ranks in the U.S. government. 3

4. The First Black Vote Black History Month – WeArePaid 2011 Though there would be still so many rivers to cross and mountains to climb, this was indeed a glorious, inspiring, landmark event. We can sense the many years this gray-haired man has waited for this moment to cast his ballot. In line are others, including a military man. HARPER'S WEEKLY, November 16, 1867 4

5. Booker T. Washington 1856-1915 Black History Month – WeArePaid 2011 Founder of Tuskegee Normal School in Alabama (now Tuskegee University) 5

6. George Washington Carver (1864-1943) Black History Month – WeArePaid 2011 American scientist, educator, humanitarian, and former slave. Carver developed hundreds of products from peanuts, sweet potatoes, pecans, and soybeans; his discoveries greatly improved the agricultural output and the health of Southern farmers. 6

7. W.E.B. DuBois 1868 -1963 Black History Month – WeArePaid 2011 First African American to receive a Ph.D. from Harvard University Co-Founder of the NAACP 7

8. Martin Luther King, Jr. 1929-1968 Black History Month – WeArePaid 2011 National leader of the civil rights movement, leading boycotts and staging protests against segregation in the South. 8

9. Coretta Scott King 1927-2006 Black History Month – WeArePaid 2011 Widow of slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Founder of Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change 9

10. Black History Month – WeArePaid 2011 Malcolm X 1925-1965 World renowned African American/Pan-Africanist and human rights activist 10

11. Thurgood Marshall (1908 – 1993) Black History Month – WeArePaid 2011 First African American elevated to U.S. Supreme Court (1967-1991) 11

12. Colin Powell Born 1937 First African American to serve as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Black History Month – WeArePaid 2011 12

13. Black History Month – WeArePaid 2011 13

14. Sojourner Truth 1797-1883 Black History Month – WeArePaid 2011 Nationally known speaker on human rights for slaves and women 14

15. Harriet Tubman (1820 - 1913) Black History Month – WeArePaid 2011 Devoted her life to fighting slavery, helping slaves and ex-slaves, and championing the rights of women. An incredibly brave woman, she was known as the "Moses of her people." Conductor for the Underground Railroad who helped slaves flee to freedom in the North 15

16. Mary McLeod Bethune 1875-1955 Black History Month – WeArePaid 2011 Founder of Bethune-Cookman College 16

17. Zora Neale Hurston 1891-1960 Black History Month – WeArePaid 2011 A novelist, folklorist, and anthropologist 17

18. Rosa Parks 1913-2005 Black History Month – WeArePaid 2011 "mother of the civil rights movement" 18

19. Shirley Chisholm (1924 - 2005) Black History Month – WeArePaid 2011 First African-American woman elected to the US Congress. During her long political career, she fought for the rights of women and minorities. 19

20. Bessie Coleman (1893-1926) Black History Month – WeArePaid 2011 First black female pilot and the first woman to receive an international pilot's license. 20

21. Mae C. Jemison NASA Astronaut (former) Black History Month – WeArePaid 2011 First African-American Woman in Space 21

22. Oprah Winfrey First African-American woman to reach billionaire status Black History Month – WeArePaid 2011 22

23. Black History: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow Black History Month – WeArePaid 2011 Thank You! 23