(Encyclopedia) Ebadi, ShirinEbadi, Shirinshērēn ĕbôdēˈ [key], 1947–, Iranian jurist, author, and human-rights activist. From a family of distinguished jurists, she obtained her law degree (1969) and…
by Elissa Haney Dr. Carter G. Woodson
Americans have recognized Black history annually since 1926, first as "Negro History Week" and later as "Black History…
(Encyclopedia) Rogers, William Pierce, 1913–2001, U.S. government official, b. Norfolk, N.Y. Admitted to the bar in 1937, he served (1947–50) as chief counsel to two Senate investigating committees…
(Encyclopedia) Wilkins, Roy, 1901–81, American social reformer and civil-rights leader, b. St. Louis, Mo.; grad. Univ. of Minnesota (B.A., 1923). While a student, Wilkins served as secretary of the…
Even though it is only recently that women have been permitted to hold official roles in many religions, they have always been central to American religious life.…
The Amistad The Spanish schooner and its slaves who fueled proslavery ire by Ricco Villanueva Siasoco Steven Spielberg popularized the story of the Spanish slave ship Amistad in his…
American photographer, filmmaker, writer, and composer
Born: Nov. 30, 1912
Birthplace: Fort Scott, Kansas
Best known as an acclaimed photographer, Gordon Parks was also a highly…
(Encyclopedia) Heschel, Abraham JoshuaHeschel, Abraham Joshuahĕshˈəl [key], 1907–72, American Jewish philosopher and theologian, b. Warsaw, Poland. He succeeded Martin Buber as director of the…
(Encyclopedia) Rainey, Joseph Hayne, 1832–87, first African American elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, b. Georgetown, S.C. The son of a free man, he fled to the West Indies during the…
(Encyclopedia) Douglas, William Orville, 1898–1980, American jurist, associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court (1939–75), b. Maine, Minn. He received his law degree from Columbia in 1925 and later…