Honoring Black History Month
This week, we want to celebrate the amazing work of Marsha P. Johnson, Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, and Maya Angelou, who have inspired women through generations and influenced millions with their art and advocacy for civil rights.
Image: Courtesy of the National Women’s History Museum
Marsha P. Johnson
Marsha P. Johnson was a pioneer in the fight for LGBTQ civil rights. From her Bronx beginnings to her defining moment at Stonewall, this force of nature was a fixture of the movement, ensuring that all voices were heard and represented. She stood her ground in an era when society did not accept or understand individuals like her. Marsha dedicated her life to helping those who were marginalized, standing up for every person's right to be themselves and express their true identity. Her tireless work to promote awareness and understanding helped pave the way for the great strides we have seen in recent years toward equality. In our hearts, she will always be remembered as a hero, defying those who said it could not be done.
Image: Courtesy of the National Women’s History Museum
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin was an icon of American history and culture, her incomparable voice a source of comfort, joy, and inspiration for generations of people. She broke barriers in the music industry during the 1960s when she introduced gospel and soul into mainstream music, winning countless accolades throughout her career including eighteen Grammy Awards, becoming the first woman to be inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, and receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She blazed a trail for generations of female artists to follow and embodied a lifetime of unwavering perseverance in the face of injustices, bigotry, and sexism. Her name will forever be remembered as an artist who used her artistry to bring hope and change across cultures, genders, and generations. Her legacy lives on in our hearts, shapes us, motivates us, and gives us the courage to believe we can make this world better for everyone.
Image: Courtesy of the National Women’s History Museum
Nina Simone
From her earliest performances as a child prodigy through her evolution as a revolutionary artist, Nina Simone's voice was an embodiment of strength and spirit that blazed a trail for all those who followed. Her passion for freedom and justice helped ignite the civil rights movement of the 1960s and ushered in a new era of Black empowerment. Through her music, she spoke to the soul of the nation, delivering iconic songs filled with powerful messages and hope. She expressed her outrage and optimism, heartbreak and joy through her incomparable voice that moved generations of people to listen with their ears and hearts wide open. Her music combined elements of gospel, jazz, and blues to create soul-stirring songs that tackled segregation in the United States, inequality for African Americans, and civil rights around the world. As she sang and rocked the stage with her classically trained virtuosity, she served as an inspiration during some of America’s darkest times. Nina Simone's revolution left an indelible mark on American history, one that will live on long after the last note is played.
Image: Courtesy of the National Women’s History Museum
Maya Angelou
From humble beginnings in St. Louis, Missouri to becoming one of the most celebrated African-American authors and poets of all time, Maya Angelou made an impact on our culture that cannot be overlooked. As an artist, activist, educator, and leader, she had a profound influence on the way America perceives its past, present, and future. Millions have been touched by her powerful words and vocal performances which evoked emotion and urged people to unify and pursue justice and equality. To be blessed by her presence is to hear your own inner resilience whisper, calling you higher than ever before. From her captivating prose in I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings to her hypnotic poetry in Phenomenal Woman, Maya's spirit will carry us forward in a relentless pursuit of the truth. She empowers us to strive for brighter days, persevere through struggle, and believe in ourselves no matter the obstacles before us. For that, we are forever grateful.