Born in 1844, Nellie Cashman's family moved to the United States from Ireland. At the age of 25, Cashman moved out West to mine for gold during the California Gold Rush of the late 1800s. She continued throughout her life to move from place to place mining for precious metals. Cashman never struck it rich, but she opened successful restaurants and boarding houses wherever she went. She became known as the "Miner's Angel" because she often helped those in need of food, shelter, and money. Cashman died in 1925 after living a rough and adventurous life in the Old West.
The book is a biography of Rebecca Lee Crumpler, the first African American woman to become a doctor. Against great odds, she earned her medical degree in 1864 and began treating newly freed slaves in Richmond, Virginia. She later set up an office in Boston and wrote a book offering simply stated medical advice for women and children.
Fanny Jackson Coppin was born a slave. After attaining her freedom, she pursued an education and eventually attended Oberlin College, the only college in America at the time that would accept African American students. She took classes there, but she also taught them. After graduation, Coppin went on to become the first African American principal.
During the American Revolution, Deborah Sampson decided to become a soldier even though women were not allowed to be soldiers at the time. She joined the Continental troops using the name of Bobby Shurtliff and became a fine soldier. It wasn't until she became ill that her secret was revealed. After she married and had children, Deborah put on her uniform again and toured the country telling audiences about her experiences as a female soldier.
This book tells the true story of Deborah Sampson, a female who wanted to fight in the American Revolutionary War. Because women were not allowed to be soldiers at the time, she changed her name to Robert Shurtleff and disguised herself as a man so she could enlist in the army.
Read about the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education, and learn how desegregation of America's schools more fully opened the promise of America to African Americans.
This is a biography of singer Marian Anderson. Marian faced discrimination as a young singer but persevered and eventually won awards and accolades around the world for her talent.
Virginia Durr was a White American advocate for desegregation. As her understanding of and passion for civil rights grew, she became a strong voice for the rights of African Americans. Her close friendships with people such as Rosa Parks and Mary McLeod Bethune helped to shape her perspective.
The Tuskegee Airmen who served in World War II as pilots were African American men held to higher standards than their white counterparts. Their flight records were outstanding, and they have since been honored. The actions of these brave men helped all African Americans win respect and equal rights.
