Changemakers in the Military and Public Service

Black women were making surprising contributions to the military and to public service while the country was still shape-shifting from thirteen colonies into the union we know today. After the Civil War ended, many Black women
moved north and west to escape the oppression in the South. They followed the expansion westward, pushing up against the boundaries of territories, and were pioneers who contributed to the wellbeing of often-untamed lands. These next women were pioneers in their own rights, brilliant trailblazers who were the first of their kind.

“Stagecoach” Mary Fields became the first Black American woman to hold a star-route delivery contract with the United States Postal Service.
Carolyn R. Payton became the first Black American and first woman appointed director of the US Peace Corps when she was appointed to the position by President Jimmy Carter.
Lisa P. Jackson became the first Black American to be named administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. She was appointed to the position by President Barack Obama.
The first Black American woman four-star admiral was Michelle J. Howard. She was the first woman to rise to the rank of four-star admiral in the US Navy. Howard was also the first Black American woman to command a US Navy ship, the USS Rushmore. When she retired, she was serving as both commander of US Forces in Europe and as the commander of US Forces in Africa. She was the first woman to command operational forces for the US Military.
Lorna Mahlock became the first Black American woman to hold the rank of brigadier general in the United States Marine Corps.
Loretta Lynch was the first Black woman to become US attorney general.
Paulette Brown became the first Black American woman president of the American Bar Association.
Carla Hayden became the first woman and first Black American to be the librarian of Congress.
Andrea Jenkins became the first openly transgender person of color elected to public office in the United States.
Stacey Abrams of Georgia became the first Black American woman to be a major party nominee for state governor.
Ilhan Omar became the first Somali American Muslim person to become a legislator when she was elected to Congress representing Minnesota.

Black women have proved their worth through their service to country and community. Often balancing the difficulties of home life with a successful career, they have excelled in military and public service. Let’s not forget, these are fields that are dominated by White men. When asked to picture a brigadier general, chances are the last thing that comes to mind is a Black woman. But Black women can be brigadier generals too. We can be anything we set our minds to becoming.

This excerpt is from The Book of Awesome Black Women by Becca Anderson and MJ Fievre, which is available now through Amazon and Mango Media.