Americans have recognized black history annually since 1926, first as "Negro History Week" and
later as "Black History Month." What you might not know is that black history had barely begun
to be studied-or even documented-when the tradition originated. Although blacks have been in
America at least as far back as colonial times, it was not until the 20th century that they gained a
respectable presence in the history books.
We owe the celebration of Black History Month, and more importantly, the study of black history, to Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Born to parents who were former slaves, he spent his childhood
working in the Kentucky coal mines and enrolled in high school at age twenty. He graduated
within two years and later went on to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard. The scholar was disturbed to
find in his studies that history books largely ignored the black American population-and when
blacks did figure into the picture, it was generally in ways that reflected the inferior social position
they were assigned at the time.
CELBRATING BLACK WOMEN
Dr. Rebecca J. Cole was the first black woman doctor in the United
States. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 16, 1846, Cole was one
of five children. Cole began her schooling at the Institute for Colored Youth
and graduated in 1863. She then attended the New England Female Medical
College and graduated in 1864 after completing her thesis titled “The Eye
and Its Appendages.” With her graduation she became the first formally
trained black woman doctor in the United States. She received a second
medical degree in 1867 when she graduated from the Woman’s Medical
College of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
In 1921, Bessie Coleman became the first black woman to gain an
international permit to fly. After learning French, she attended the famous
flight school Ecole d’Aviation des Frères Caudron in Northern France. No
schools in America would train a black person. She was inspired to fly by the
stories of Frenchwomen flyers told by her brother John, who had served in
France during World War I. Coleman performed acrobatics in air shows
around the country and gave lectures inspiring audiences that included many
children. She believed that there was freedom in the skies and would not
perform in an air show with a segregated audience.
UNMH BLACK HISTORY EVENTS
Event Date:
Friday February 24th, 2017
Event Time:
Afro-Centric Health & Wellness Fair 11:00am –3:00pm
Speaker Series from 12:00-1:00pm
Toyese Oyeyemi, MPH is a Program Specialist a the Black
Health Resource Center, UNM HSC Office for Community
Health. Toyese will be speaking about the health disparities that
exist amongst the African American community.
Yirser Ra Hotep is a master instructor of Yoga and is the most
senior instructor of Kemetic Yoga (Ancient Egyptian or African
Yoga) in the United States with over 42 years of experience
practicing and teaching. Yiser will focus on Holistic Health.
Performances by Rujeko Dumbutshena and Company,
Adjunct Faculty, UNM Dance Department. Come enjoy the
sound of the Drums and even join in.
UNMH Cafeteria’s Chef G. Washington
will feature a new entrée every Friday during the month of
February in honor of Black History Month.
UNM HEALTH SYSTEMS AFRO-CENTRIC HEALTH & WELLNESS FAIR
Event Date: Friday February 24th, 2017
Event Time: Afro-Centric Health & Wellness Fair 11:00am –3:00pm
List of Participants
Office of African American Affairs
Diversity Mavens & HSC Office for Diversity
UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center
UNM Midwifery - Centering Pregnancy Program
UNMH Patient Financial Services
Primerica Financial Services
Talking Drums African & Caribbean Grill
Kamaria Creations
Who I am Foundation—Canned Food Drive (Please help give back)
NM Women's Global Pathways
MORE TO COME