African American firsts

These African-American firsts are awe inspiring!

Thomas L. Jennings (1791 - 1859) was the first African-American to receive a patent in 1821. It was for a dry-cleaning process in 1821. He used the money earned from the patent to purchase relatives out of slavery and support abolitionist causes.

Judy W. Reed was the first African-American woman to receive a patent in 1884 for a hand-operated machine used to knead and roll dough.

The African Free School in New York City was the first free school for African-Americans. It was started by the abolitionist group the New York Manumission Society in 1787.

Booker T. Washington (1856 - 1915) was the first African-American to be honored on a U.S. stamp, in 1940.

Bessie Coleman (1893-1926) was the first licensed African-American pilot in the world. She received aviation instruction in France.

Minnie Jocelyn Lee Elders ( 1933 - ) was the first African-American and the second woman to serve as the United States Surgeon General. Her term lasted for 15 months (1993 - 1994)