Photos: Icons in Politics

We honor the ideas and actions of these politicians whose success opened new room in American public life for diversity.

Adam Clayton Powell - A U.S. Congressman from Harlem, Powell was a firebrand during the civil rights movement. The Baptist minister was the first African American elected to Congress from New York.

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Adam Clayton Powell - A U.S. Congressman from Harlem, Powell was a firebrand during the civil rights movement. The Baptist minister was the first African American elected to Congress from New York.

Malcolm X - With only an eighth grade education, Malcolm X became one of the greatest political thinkers of the 20th century. His fiery rhetoric inspired and activated Blacks all across America. He remains one of the most respected Black historical figures.

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Malcolm X - With only an eighth grade education, Malcolm X became one of the greatest political thinkers of the 20th century. His fiery rhetoric inspired and activated Blacks all across America. He remains one of the most respected Black historical figures.

Ralph Bunche - Among Bunche’s achievements as a public servant was his Nobel Prize in the 1950. He also served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

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Ralph Bunche - Among Bunche’s achievements as a public servant was his Nobel Prize in the 1950. He also served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

Colin Powell - A Bronx native, Powell was first believed to be a likely candidate to become the first Black president. He served as secretary of state.

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Colin Powell - A Bronx native, Powell was first believed to be a likely candidate to become the first Black president. He served as secretary of state.

"60 Minutes" - Could cable news cycles be to blame for the angry outbursts at last month’s town hall meetings? In a “60 Minutes” interview that aired Sunday, the president said, “The truth of the matter is that there has been, I think, a coarsening of our political dialogue … I will also say that in the era of 24-hour cable news cycles, that the loudest, shrillest voices get the most attention. And so one of the things that I’m trying to figure out is: How can we make sure that civility is interesting?”

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Barack Obama - In 2008, he became the first Black commander in chief in American history. His intriguing rise to power inspired millions around the world and ushered in a sweeping movement focused on change and fired up by new political possibilities.

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Nelson Mandela Health Scare - Late in the week, Mandela was admitted to a Johannesburg hospital for routine tests, which resulted in growing speculation from the media about his health and a public outpouring of support. He spent two nights in the hospital before he was released. Doctors say he suffered a respiratory infection. His foundation has reported receiving thousands of notes for well wishes, including one from President Obama.

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Nelson Mandela - After almost 30 years in prison for his stance against apartheid, Mandela emerged to became South Africa’s acknowledged leader and a world diplomat.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - While not a politician, his mass mobilization of Southern Blacks and his electrifying speeches delivered throughout the country led to both public sentiment and legislation that had far-reaching impact.

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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - While not a politician, his mass mobilization of Southern Blacks and his electrifying speeches delivered throughout the country led to both public sentiment and legislation that had far-reaching impact.

Shirley Chisholm - Chisolm was the first Black woman elected to Congress and the first Black female presidential candidate from a major political party.

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Shirley Chisholm - Chisolm was the first Black woman elected to Congress and the first Black female presidential candidate from a major political party.

Angela Davis - Angela Davis, an American socialist organizer and professor once associated with the Black Panther Party, first achieved nationwide notoriety when she was linked to the murder of Judge Harold Haley during an attempted prison break. She was a fugitive but was eventually captured, arrested, tried; she was then acquitted in one of the most famous trials in recent history. She is now a professor of history at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

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Angela Davis - A revolutionary political activist whose ‘fro became synonymous with her image, she symbolized Black women’s ability to challenge the system.

Huey Newton - With Bobby Seale, he co-founded and led the Black Panther Party in its vision of political and social transformation in the 1960s and 1970s.

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Huey Newton - With Bobby Seale, he co-founded and led the Black Panther Party in its vision of political and social transformation in the 1960s and 1970s.

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Michelle Obama - As First Lady of the United States, her strength, style and easy approach to tackling big national problems have inspired a new generation of women.

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Michelle Obama - As First Lady of the United States, her strength, style and easy approach to tackling big national problems have inspired a new generation of women.

Bayard Rustin - Rustin is widely regarded as a brilliant strategist, without whom the March on Washington in 1963 may never have happened. Openly gay, Rustin has become an icon to gay and lesbian Americans as well.

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Bayard Rustin - Rustin is widely regarded as a brilliant strategist, without whom the March on Washington in 1963 may never have happened. Openly gay, Rustin has become an icon to gay and lesbian Americans as well.

Asa Philip Randolph - As a labor leader and organizer, he helped conceive the March on Washington and advanced the causes of Black workers.

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Asa Philip Randolph - As a labor leader and organizer, he helped conceive the March on Washington and advanced the causes of Black workers.

Frederick Douglass - As a reformer, he impressed upon Abraham Lincoln the need to abolish slavery. A prolific writer, Douglass wielded incredible influence (for his time) in Washington social and political circles.

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Frederick Douglass - As a reformer, he impressed upon Abraham Lincoln the need to abolish slavery. A prolific writer, Douglass wielded incredible influence (for his time) in Washington social and political circles.

W.E.B. DuBois - In an era when Black scholars were among the most progressive thinkers, his speeches and writings promoted Black political empowerment.

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W.E.B. DuBois - In an era when Black scholars were among the most progressive thinkers, his speeches and writings promoted Black political empowerment.

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Rep. James Clyburn - Considered the "Dean" of the Congressional Black Caucus, the outspoken politician is a Democratic stalwart. As House Majority Whip he is third in rank after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in the 111th Congress, and is one of the highest ranking African Americans in government.

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Rep. James Clyburn - Considered the "Dean" of the Congressional Black Caucus, the outspoken politician is a Democratic stalwart. As House Majority Whip he is third in rank after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in the 111th Congress, and is one of the highest ranking African Americans in government.

Andrew Young - One of America’s most accomplished Black politicos, Andrew Young has been a Mayor of Atlanta, a Georgia Congressman, United States Ambassador to the United Nations as well as President of the National Council of Churches. An adviser to presidents, Young began his career as an activist and colleague of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Andrew Young - One of America’s most accomplished Black politicos, Andrew Young has been a Mayor of Atlanta, a Georgia Congressman, United States Ambassador to the United Nations as well as President of the National Council of Churches. An adviser to presidents, Young began his career as an activist and colleague of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Bond: Gay Rights are Like Civil Rights - Speaking to thousands of gay rights supporters gathered at the White House, NAACP Chairman Julian Bond said that Blacks more than anyone should understand the plight of gays who are seeking equality in law. Bond encouraged efforts to allow same-sex marriage and for openly gay men and women to serve in the military.

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Julian Bond - Plainspoken and blunt, Julian Bond is always on the forefront of issues that affect disadvantaged Americans. A leader in the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, Bond helped create the Student Non-Violent Coordinationg Committee (SNCC). He later went on to become president of the Southern Poverty Law Center and served several terms in the Georgia legislature before assuming his current role as Chairman of the NAACP.

Condoleezza Rice - A scholar, Condoleezza Rice first brought her breadth of knowledge on foreign affairs to Washington as an adviser to former President George H.W. Bush. Rice’s career took her from the university campus to the world stage when she became the first Black woman to serve as Secretary of State of the United States.

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Condoleezza Rice - A scholar, Condoleezza Rice first brought her breadth of knowledge on foreign affairs to Washington as an adviser to former President George H.W. Bush. Rice’s career took her from the university campus to the world stage when she became the first Black woman to serve as Secretary of State of the United States.

Rep. Keith Ellison - The former attorney has only been in the U.S. Congress for about four years now, but the symbolism of Keith Ellison’s election as the first Muslim member of the U.S. Congress is important. He’s a champion for American Muslims and a source of pride for his faith community at a time when Muslims face increased suspicion and discrimination from the public at-large.

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Rep. Keith Ellison - The former attorney has only been in the U.S. Congress for about four years now, but the symbolism of Keith Ellison’s election as the first Muslim member of the U.S. Congress is important. He’s a champion for American Muslims and a source of pride for his faith community at a time when Muslims face increased suspicion and discrimination from the public at-large.