Courage, Strength, and Leadership: Honoring Pioneering Women of Color

The misogyny that women have experienced throughout history has been exacerbated by other intersectional aspects of their identity such as race, religion, and sexual orientation. Many women of color have used their voices to speak out against these inequities. In honor of Women’s History Month, we must pay homage to these women of color who faced intersectionality and fought for equality. 

Ida B. Wells was a prominent journalist and activist who fought against sexism and racism in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Wells used journalism as an outlet, publishing articles depicting her experiences as a Black woman. Wells was a founding member of the NAACP and she called out many white suffragists who ignored racism and solely focused on the experience of white women in the patriarchy. She was a pioneer for civil rights, and her voice inspired many other women of color to fight against intersecting oppression. 

Patsy Mink was the first woman of color elected to the House of Representatives and the first Asian-American woman to serve in Congress. Mink primarily fought for gender and racial equality, and more specifically, she focused lots of her work on preventing sex discrimination in both the educational system and the workplace. In 1974, Mink passed the Women’s Educational Equity Act that promoted gender equality in schools. She was not only an inspiration for women in the government, but she also created much-needed change within our educational system. 

Dolores Huerta is a very prominent feminist community organizer who advocates for Latinx rights. She fought for women and labor equality and led the Chicano civil rights movement. Huerta was a leading board member of the Feminist Majority Foundation. She is also well known for calling out men who make ignorant sexist comments. Huerta continues to fight for labor and women’s rights as the president of the Dolores Huerta Foundation. Her work has inspired many to speak up and use their voice when experiencing sexism. 

Dorothy Height played a leading and founding role in the fight for Black women’s rights. Height was president of the National Council of Negro Women for 40 years, and in 2004, she was honored with the Congressional Gold Medal and was inducted into the Democracy Hall of Fame International. Height counseled many political leaders such as Eleanor Roosevelt and Lyndon B. Johnson during the civil rights movement, and organized the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Height is often remembered as the godmother of civil rights because of her pioneering and influential activism for women. 

It is important that we honor these women of color and many more who have left their indelible mark on history and continue to inspire us with their courage, strength, and intellect during Women’s History Month and beyond.