ML Boyd, a highly-talented author and currently a Senior Executive Assistant at an aircraft manufacturing company, penned the book Jasmine: A Woman Of Color. It was published on the 8th of October, 2020, by ReadersMagnet.
In her book, an executive assistant named Jasmine Moore reels with grief at the loss of her beloved husband, only to have those feelings replaced with anger and frustration when she discovers word of his past infidelity behind her back. She wasn’t having any of that – not one single bit. This woman of color finds herself in a position where she’s able to come to terms with reality and let go of her desire for revenge when she sees another special someone to fill in the gaping void that her deceased ex-husband left in her heart – Dr. Jason. He stepped into her life and changed it up for the better. Just when all seemed to be going fine and dandy – the exact opposite happens, of course.
Jasmine eventually finds out that someone with ill intentions is after her and wants to take her life. But who could it be, and for what reason might that possibly be? This woman of color finds herself in an extraordinary and peculiar situation filled with ups and downs as her life suddenly hangs in the balance of it all.
Furthermore, it’s sad to admit that a whole lot of times, women and people of color usually don’t have it that easy compared to more privileged members of society. As of now, it doesn’t take a genius to see the recurring pattern of inequality repetitively reincarnating and perpetuating itself throughout human history. Combine those two, being a female and person of color, and indeed that’s an equation for extreme inequality in the context of today’s societal standards. For some, it definitely is, and that’s a harsh reality of life that’s stood true to itself for a tragically long time. For some, it meant a reason to shine bright and brave on through the hindrances and disadvantages that women of color experience in society. This is why, as the years continue to go by, we’ve come to celebrate those women of color whose names stood out for the way their actions shone so brightly towards the opposition and whose ideals inspired so many like themselves to do the same.
It’s not Black History month yet, but as February approaches and the time for celebrating African-American pride and heritage draws near, a little pre-game and some commemoration and appreciation for these outstanding women of color couldn’t hurt. In fact, the women on this list are some of the most revered and respected black women to have ever lived, no matter what month of the year it is. Show a soul-sista some love this coming February by remembering these brilliant African American symbols of inspiration and change pioneers.
Marian Anderson
She’s widely recognized as one of the 20th century’s most prolific singers and was well known for her three-octave vocal range as she toured Europe and the US beginning in the 1920’s. In 1936, by courtesy of President Franklin Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, she was asked to appear at the White House for a special-request performance. Then, after the rejection of Anderson in Washington, DC by the Daughters of the American Revolution three years later, she was asked to perform at the meeting of the Roosevelts at the Lincoln Memorial.
Her professional singing career progressed into the 1960’s until she eventually became active in activism and civil rights issues. In 1963, Anderson was awarded the President’s Medal of Independence, and again in 1991 with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Claudette Colvin
Almost a year before Rosa Parks (ten months to be exact), young Claudette Colvin made history at fifteen years old for being arrested for the segregation-ordinance violation on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, in March of 1955. She got dragged and thrown off the bus but claims that it was worth it to live to see Barack Obama become President of the United States.
Wilma Rudolph
In the 1960’s she was known as the world’s fastest woman, and in the year 1960, she was the first American female to achieve three gold medals in track and field at the Olympics. She was a poster-woman for civil rights as well, as she declined to attend a segregated homecoming set in place to honor her victory. She went on to earn a degree from Tennessee State University and was added to the US Olympic Hall of Fame.
The Happy Hammock 