Fannie Lou Hamer was a significant figure in the Civil Rights Movement. Born into a sharecropping family in Mississippi, she became a fierce voting rights activist after being denied the right to register. In 1964, she co-founded the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and challenged the all-white delegation at the Democratic National Convention.

Her powerful testimony on live television exposed the brutal realities of racism and voter suppression in the South, making her one of the most influential voices in American history.

Attorney and voting rights advocate Stacey Abrams has redefined what it means to be a modern-day activist. As a voting rights champion, she has fought tirelessly to combat voter suppression, particularly in marginalized communities.

Following her historic run for governor of Georgia in 2018, Abrams founded Fair Fight Action, a national organization advocating for free and fair elections. Her work was instrumental in mobilizing voters in the 2020 election, proving that Black women continue to be a driving force in democracy.

In 1968, Shirley Chisholm became the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress, shattering barriers in American politics. Four years later, she became the first Black candidate to run for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination. Her campaign slogan, “Unbought and Unbossed,” best captured her fearless spirit and dedication to justice.

While Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X are often credited as the faces of the Civil Rights Movement, Ella Baker was the powerhouse behind the scenes. A lifelong activist, Baker co-founded the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and mentored young leaders like John Lewis.

Long before social media, Ida B. Wells was using journalism as a weapon against racial injustice. A fearless investigative reporter, Wells documented the horrors of lynching in the South, exposing the truth to the world. As a suffragist, she also fought for Black women’s right to vote, refusing to be sidelined in the women’s rights movement.

RELATED: 28 Days of Black History: The Art of Protest: How Black Artists Express Resistance Through Art 

Marsha P. Johnson was a fearless advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and a key figure in the Stonewall Uprising of 1969. A Black transgender woman, Johnson fought for the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly those in marginalized communities. She co-founded STAR (Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries), providing housing and resources for homeless transgender youth. Her activism laid the foundation for the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.

Before the #MeToo movement became a global phenomenon, Tarana Burke was advocating for survivors of sexual violence in Black and brown communities. 

As the founder of Me Too, Burke amplified the voices of survivors, demanding accountability and systemic change. Her activism has transformed the conversation around sexual harassment, making her a pivotal figure in modern-day justice movements.

Angela Davis is a symbol of Black resistance. A scholar, author, and activist, she rose to prominence in the 1970s as a vocal advocate for prison abolition. Despite facing wrongful imprisonment and relentless government surveillance, Davis remained steadfast in her fight against systemic oppression.

Harriet Tubman’s legacy is nothing short of legendary. Escaping slavery in 1849, she didn’t just find freedom for herself—she risked her life repeatedly to lead others to safety through the Underground Railroad. Tubman later served as a Union spy during the Civil War, proving her bravery was not limited.

Ruby Bridges became a symbol of courage and resilience at just six years old when she integrated an all-white school in New Orleans in 1960. Despite facing intense racism and threats, she walked into William Frantz Elementary with her head held high, escorted by federal marshals. Her bravery opened the doors for future generations of Black students to receive equal education.