Black History Month is celebrated every February as a way to celebrate the achievements and the history of African Americans in the United States.
This month honors many notable figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who fought for equal rights during the 1950s and ’60s, Mae Jemison, the first female African-American astronaut to travel to space in 1992, and Rosa Parks, whose refusal to give up her seat sparked a movement. They’ve each made their mark in history.
In modern day we continue to see history makers here are just a few:
Misty Copeland is professional ballet dancer and author who became the first African American woman to become the principal dancer in the American Ballet Theater’s history.
Read her book about her journey and inspiration in Black ballerinas: my journey to our legacy.
Simone Biles is widely regarded as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time as she’s one of the most decorated gymnasts in history with 11 Olympic medals and 30 World Championship medals.
You can read more about her in She Persisted: Simone Biles by Kekla Magoon.
Vashti Harrison is the first Black woman to win the Randolph Caldecott Medal for her picture book “Big”. She wrote and illustrated this heart warming tale.
You can read her award-winning book Big written and illustrated by Vashti Harrison.
Learn more about Black History Month by stopping by the YS department and checking out our display. Give us a call at 815-756-9568 ext. 3350 if you’d like to place a hold or if you’d like some help finding a certain book.
