True innovators-- these brave, or just lucky, few went down in history as the first to claim their titles. Some ventured into sports, others stumbled on newfound success and then there were those who just followed their dreams. Following that of Neil Armstrong, they all took one smaller step for themselves, while their actions provided a giant leap of motivation for everyone else in their community and beyond.
Dr. Bernard Harris Jr.
First African American to Walk in Space
His name might not be immediately recognizable, but his feat is nothing short of incredible. Born in Temple, Texas in July of 1953, Dr. Bernard Harris Jr. grew up enthralled by science. He went from science fair winner to bachelors in biology graduate to full on "doctor" only four years later. He entered into NASA in 1987 and by 1995 he was already on his second mission into outer space. Along with fellow firsts (first British man to walk in outer space and first woman shuttle pilot), Harris became the first spacewalking African American. He has since retired, but his legacy lives on.
Alexander Lucius Twilight
First African American to Graduate College, Be elected to public office, Work in legislature
Alexander was a triple threat and quite ahead of his time. Even though he was born more than fifty years before slavery officially ended, he managed to defy all the odds and graduate from Middlebury College, something not even every white male could do! Later in life he became the principle of an elementary school and was then elected to the House of Representatives.
First African American to Walk in Space
His name might not be immediately recognizable, but his feat is nothing short of incredible. Born in Temple, Texas in July of 1953, Dr. Bernard Harris Jr. grew up enthralled by science. He went from science fair winner to bachelors in biology graduate to full on "doctor" only four years later. He entered into NASA in 1987 and by 1995 he was already on his second mission into outer space. Along with fellow firsts (first British man to walk in outer space and first woman shuttle pilot), Harris became the first spacewalking African American. He has since retired, but his legacy lives on.
First African American to Graduate College, Be elected to public office, Work in legislature
Alexander was a triple threat and quite ahead of his time. Even though he was born more than fifty years before slavery officially ended, he managed to defy all the odds and graduate from Middlebury College, something not even every white male could do! Later in life he became the principle of an elementary school and was then elected to the House of Representatives.
There was Hattie McDaniel, who won for Best Supporting Actress and
Sidney Poitier won for Best Actor. I'm so sick of Halle getting
most credits, when she can't even hold a candle to Hattie and
Sidney's acting.