Famous African American Women

Women’s history Month Q&A – March 26, 2014

Posted on by Jessica Zetzman

Q: Who was the first African American woman to be appointed Secretary of State, and the first woman to be appointed National Security Advisor?

A: Condoleezza Rice, who served as the 66th United States Secretary of State. Rice was the first female African-American secretary of state, as well as the second African American secretary of state (after Colin Powell), and the second female secretary of state (after Madeleine Albright). Rice was President Bush’s National Security Advisor during his first term, making her the first woman to serve in that position.

Women’s History Month Q&A – March 13, 2014

Posted on by Jessica Zetzman

Q: Which Maryland born woman in history escaped slavery in 1849 and is best known for being a “conductor” on the Underground Railroad, leading more than 300 slaves to their freedom?

A: Harriet Tubman, who had to leave her family behind when she escaped slavery in 1849. Despite a bounty on her head, she returned to the South at least 19 times to lead her family and hundreds of other slaves to freedom via the Underground Railroad. She spoke against slavery and for women’s rights, and during the Civil War she served with the U.S. Army in South Carolina as a nurse, scout, spy and soldier.