Black History Month, also known as African-American History Month in America,
is an annual observance in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom
for remembrance of important people and events in the history of the African diaspora
(people of African origin living outside the continent)

 It is celebrated annually in the United States and Canada in February
and in the United Kingdom in October.

 

Your challenge, if you wish to accept it, is:

Illustrate a scene or character celebrating black history month.

Upload your photo to the Black History Challenge folder.

Closed

 

Hitty may wish to portray a famous person such as Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth,

Mary Mahoney, Bessie Coleman, Rosa Parks, Mahalia Jackson, Maya Angelou etc.

She may wish to illustrate a scene from the Underground Railway,

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Gees Bend project with Hitty Freddy peaking out of the pocket

Susan K.

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I carved a Hitty size of based on a childhood photo of Dr. Maya Angelo. I made the doll a quilt reflecting on highlights
of the life of Dr. Angelo. Using various Hitty prints an a quote from Maya: " I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will
forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them "feel".  A lady who surmounted tremendous adversity to be a phenomenal
woman indeed. Dr Maya Angelo was an author, poet, actress, artist and teacher who's personal journey still touchs our lives through the pages
of her many books, I Know Why the Cages Bird Sings, Still I Rise, Phenomenal Women, Wouldn't Take Nothing For My Journey Now ......to name a few.
 We can transform our suffering into strength, love and healing not only as women of all races & cultures. Obviously Hitty is a
Phenomenal Woman has survived tremendous odds to a inspire a writer to write a children's story that gives hope and a smile in a world filled with adversity.
Alice S.


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George Washington Carver-Submitted by Kathleen Weber Developed and promoted about 100 products made from peanuts.
Kathleen W.

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Massachusetts did not pass a law abolishing slavery until well after the Civil War.  However, the colonist
by 1790 were opposed to slavery and there are no slaves listed in that census of 1790.

My great great great grandparents, Charles and Betsy, lived in the small town of Athol, Ma.  Charles is listed as a merchant/tailor. 
He kept a journal, which has been passed down to me, about his business.  There are a few entries in it about things that affected his personal life.

In 1861 he writes "the negroe family down the road hath succumed to the winter illness save for the daughter of about 16 years. 
My wife didst greatly implore me to give shelter to her, as she is but too young to be on her own".

Two weeks later he writes " Vernell is an amiable spirit with an eagerness to learn the trade of
eamstress which will hold her in good stead for her future".

Then in another two months he writes that Vernell is working three hours per day in his shop, and Betsy is working on her schooling for
 reading, penmanship, and arithmetic.  He has a separate page with Vernell's hours listed and writes that "monies to be paid upon maturity".

A little over a year and a half later he writes that the local cooper has asked to court Vernell.  He gives his permission, but states she
is not to marry until her 18th year and that a "chaperone be e're present".  In this same paragraph he says that he has bought a cedar chest for $6.

About seven months later he writes that Vernell has "wedded on this day.  It is with great joy and some sorrow of heart that we send her
on her way.  All monies have been paid to her and a cedar chest laden with enough yardage to make dresses, coats, trousers and shirts are also given".

While I am glad that Vernell was given a chance after being orphaned, it does make me wonder about other children that may have found themselves in a similar plight.
 I have tried to find Vernell, but with no last name or the name of her husband I have not been successful.

There is a picture in the challenge folder of Hitty Fae portraying Vernell working as a seamstress.
weelittlecritter


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Happy Herbert's Hittys celebrate equal education Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka ended segrated schools in 1953

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HItty Clemantine was recently introduced to Bass Reeves...
the first black marshal West of the Mississippi.  Hewas a lawman in the wild west territories .
 Over the course of his 30 year career he arrested
more then 3000 bad guys.  He was famed for how cleverly he tracked and captured the
bad guys.   He often traveled with an Indian side kick.  Many historians feel that Bass
Reeves was the inspiration for the Lone Ranger! 
Sherry St.

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"Two little girls look at Mama's String Quilt String quilts came into popularity after the end of the Civil War.
Freed slaves, looking for a way to supplement family incomes, purchased the useless "strings" or strips of fabric left on the ends of the bolts,
and sewed them together in simple and elaborate patterns. These "strings" were generally 5" or less in width, and would have been the length of the bolt of fabric."
JOC

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Stitchin and Pullin-- Jellicakes learns about the quilts of Gee's Bend
Jane E.

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Harriet Tubman. 

    She is remembered as the Moses of her people for leading them to freedom through the Underground Railroad. 
She was born and raised on the Eastern Shore of MD and worked in the swamps and fields most of her life, learning about nature and it's ways.  
She had a severe head injury as a young girl and often had seizures and disorientation.  Many thought she was possessed or possibly gifted by God as she talked to
Him frequently.  She desired freedom more than anything, and made several attempts to escape. 

When she finally did, she returned many times over 11 years to help family
and friends escape during the winter nights when there was more privacy and time, and they could follow the North Star in the skies. 
The Quakers of the area often helped lodge and feed the runaways.

     Later she worked with the Union troops to free plantation slaves and overcome the southern troops. 
She advised and led many regiments.  She also worked many years for women's suffrage to allow women to vote and have the same rights as men. 
She built the first safe home for the elderly who had no money or family to care for them.  Her name was often there with 
Susan B. Anthony, Frederick Douglas, General Grant, and many others, but she was not given credit or payment for any of her work. 
Everything she did she financed herself through working to save the money.

    My photo depicts the cold winter nights with the runaway Hittys dressed as warmly as possible and traveling
by the light of the night sky, but stopping to pay homage to a very special woman.
Wanda W.