Throwback Thursday: Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl

For Throwback Thursday, I chose Incidents in the Life of Slave Girl, written by Harriet Jacobs (or Linda Brent). Initially classified as fiction, a few historians finally acknowledged that this book is an authentic autobiography. In this book, Harriet Jacobs shares her pain and burden of being an enslaved girl, including being sexually harassed by her master. This book may be one of the first books that writes about sexual harassment. Although enslaved African Americans were considered property and masters had the power and control over them, Harriet Jacobs was one slave who refused to submit to her master’s sexual advances. How she manages to do this is worth reading and finding out for yourself.

History Maker Olympic Medalist Ibtihaj Muhammad

Disclaimer. This book is in my “to be read” pile. Although I have yet to read this book, Ibtihaj Muhammad’s story fascinates me.

“At the 2016 Olympic Games, Ibtihaj Muhammad smashed barriers as the first American to compete wearing hijab, and she made history as the first Muslim American woman to win a medal. But before she was an Olympian, activist, and entrepreneur, Ibtihaj was a young outsider trying to find her place. 

Growing up in suburban New Jersey, Ibtihaj was often the only African American Muslim student in her class. When she discovered and fell in love with fencing, a sport most popular with affluent young white people, she stood out even more. Rivals and teammates often pointed out Ibtihaj’s differences, telling her she would never succeed. Yet she powered on, rising above bigotry and other obstacles on the path to pursue her dream.”–from the jacket cover.

Connecting Women’s History and Reading Month

Anytime of the year is a good time to honor people of color and their achievements. With March designated as both Women’s History and Reading months, I decided to select a book that definitely honors both. Tonya Bolden’s Changing the Equation 50th US Black Women in STEM is an excellent read and a great introduction to African American pioneers in the STEM professions. From Rebecca Lee Crumpler, the first woman to earn her MD in 1864, to contemporaries like Kimberly Bryant, founder of Black Girls Code, the women included in this book have paved the way for more young women to claim a spot in the STEM profession. Award-winning Tonya Bolden is a both a thorough researcher, using primary and secondary sources. and a skilled storyteller, writing these women biographies in a concise, warm, and easy to read style.

This is How We Move From Black History Month to Women’s History Month — CrazyQuiltEdi

Bridge February and March — Black History and Women’s History– by reading the Black women who write Black stories. These women imagine, document, speculate and create. Some, like Janet McDonald are an important part of the history while many like Leah Johnson, and Kaylynn Bayron are just getting started. A complete list of names is […]

This is How We Move From Black History Month to Women’s History Month — CrazyQuiltEdi

This is How We Move From Black History Month to Women’s History Month — CrazyQuiltEdi

Bridge February and March — Black History and Women’s History– by reading the Black women who write Black stories. These women imagine, document, speculate and create. Some, like Janet McDonald are an important part of the history while many like Leah Johnson, and Kaylynn Bayron are just getting started. A complete list of names is […]

This is How We Move From Black History Month to Women’s History Month — CrazyQuiltEdi