Black History Month
During the month of February we celebrate Black History Month. We continue to honor the men, women, and children that stood up to injustice, promoted peace and love, and encouraged the world to embrace the idea that all of us should be treated equally. Global citizenship is a value that we share here at Garnet Valley School District.
This year we are asking our Garnet Valley Community members to continue to join us in our annual #BlackHistoryChallenge. Through the month of February, we will highlighting African American pioneers that have left a mark in history and in our lives. We challenge you to share these posts - or create posts of your own, highlighting strong African American figures that have inspired you in an effort to continue to educate our communities.
Click on the names below to learn more about the pioneers we highlighted last year and look out for new additions in these coming weeks!
We will continue to add to this list and we look forward to seeing your posts!
Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born in Cairo, Georgia in 1919 to a family of sharecroppers. His mother, Mallie Robinson, single-handedly raised Jackie and her four other children. They were the only black family on their block, and the prejudice they encountered only strengthened their bond. From this humble beginning would grow the first baseball player to break Major League Baseball's color barrier that segregated the sport for more than 50 years.
Mae C. Jemison is the first African American female astronaut. In 1992, she flew into space aboard the Endeavour, becoming the first African American woman in space.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” - Nelson Mandela
At the tender age of six, Ruby Bridges advanced the cause of civil rights in November 1960 when she became the first African American student to integrate an elementary school in the South.
“Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.” —Marian Wright Edelman
Susie King Taylor, teacher & nurse, achieved many firsts in a lifetime overcoming adversity and helping elevate others out of slavery.
“I knew then and I know now that, when it comes to justice, there is no easy way to get it. You can't sugarcoat it. You have to take a stand and say, 'This is not right.'” —Claudette Colvin
"It's better to get smart than to get mad. I try not to get so insulted that I will not take advantage of an opportunity to persuade people to change their minds."
—John H. Johnson