Better late than never: On THIS date in black history

February 11

1783 - Jarena Lee, the first woman to preach in an AME church, at Mother Bethel AME Church in Philadelphia, was born in Cape May, New Jersey. She chronicled her life's work in her book, "Religious Experiences and Journal of Mrs. Jarena Lee: A Preachin' Woman" (1849). Jarena Lee was one of the first African American women to speak out publicly against slavery. She passed away in 1849.

1790 - The Society of Friends (Quakers) presents a petition to Congress calling for the abolition of slavery.

1809- Jonathan Jasper Wright, the first African American licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania was born.

1958 - Mohawk Airlines schedules Ruth Carol Taylor on her initial flight from Ithaca, New York to New York City. She became the first African American flight attendant for a United States-based air carrier.

1961 - Robert Weaver became the highest-ranking African American in the federal government when he was sworn in as administrator of the Housing and Home Finance Agency.

1966 - Willie Mays signs with the San Francisco Giants for $ 130,000 a year. At the time, it was one of the highest salaries in professional baseball.

1977 - Clifford Alexander, Jr. was confirmed as the first Africa American Secretary of the Army. He held the position until the end of President Jimmy Carter's term.

1977 - Lieutenant Colonel Mengistu Haile Mariam is named head of state in Ethiopia. He ruled Ethiopia and be backed by the Soviet government until he loses the civil war in 1991 to the forces supporting Meles Zenawi.

1989 - Rev. Barbara Clementine Harris became the first woman consecrated as a bishop in the Episcopal Church, in a ceremony held in Boston.

1990 - Nelson Mandela was released from prison after being held for nearly 27 years without trial by the South African government. The founder and unofficial leader of the African National Congress, Mandela became, during his imprisonment, a symbol for the struggle of Black South Africans to overcome apartheid.

1990 - James "Buster" Douglas defeated Mike Tyson in a stunning upset in Tokyo to win the heavyweight boxing championship. Almost two years later to the day, Tyson will be convicted of rape and two related charges filed by a Miss Black America contestant in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Sources: http://www.aaregistry.com/detail.php?id=691; http://www.informationman.com/today.htm