February is Black History Month and we wanted to honor Black American Women by highlighting some of them.
Janet Emerson Bashen is the first African American female to hold a patent for a software invention. Her software, LinkLine, is a web-based application for EEO claims intake and tracking, claims management, document management and numerous reports. Ms. Bashen was issued U.S. patent #6,985,922 on January 10 2006, for a “Method, Apparatus and System for Processing Compliance Actions over a Wide Area Network.” Via: Blackhistory.netFirst Woman In Space Honored On Anniversary Of Historic Flight. Via: Huffington PostAlice Augusta Ball (1892-1916) was an African American scientist that would be responsible for creating an injectable treatment for Leprosy. Via University of HawaiiBessie Blount was an African American woman who led a life that was dedicated to helping those in need. She was a physical therapist and an inventor of apparatus that was designed to help soldiers that suffered permanent injuries in World War II. Bessie Blount has been called a “savior of the handicapped” for her invention that allowed World War II disabled veterans to feed themselves, and for her unique method of teaching them to write again. Via: Myblackhisotry.net
Jane M. Bolin was the 1st African American woman graduate of Yale Law School & the first Black female judge in the United States. She’s pictured here in July 1939 after her appointment by NYC Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia. Judge Bolin retired in 1979after 40 yrs on the Bench (only because she reached the mandatory age). She passed away in 2007 at age 98. Via: NY TimesMaggie Walker, the first woman to found & become president of an American bank, was the daughter of a former slave. She also founded a newspaper and department store. What an impressive woman! Via: Blackhistory.album.tumblrShe’s the first African-American female doctor to patent in 1988, a new method of removing cataracts. The medical laser instrument made the procedure more accurate and is termed the cataract Laserphacoprobe. Dr. Bath was also the first Black Female Surgeon appointed to UCLA in 1975. As a laser scientist and inventor, she has 5 patents on the laser cataract surgery device covering the United States, Canada, Japan, and Europe. Via: fitnews.amazeworthy.com
This next woman is my favorite
Oseola McCarty a cleaning lady who from working all her life accumulated great savings, donated to the University of Southern Mississippi $150,000 for a student scholarship program. Via: Blackworldwomanhistory.tumblr.com