Patricia Bath (November 4, 1942) Among many firsts, Patricia Bath is the first African American to complete a residency in ophthalmology and the first African-American female doctor to receive a medical patent. She invented the Laserphaco Probe for cataract treatment in 1986. http://www.biography.c om/people/patricia- bath-21038525 Patricia Bath (November 4, 1942)

Mae C. Jemison (October 17, 1956) 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. http://www.biography.c om/people/mae-c- jemison-9542378 Mae C. Jemison (October 17, 1956)

Alexa Canady (November 7, 1950) In 1981, Alexa Canady became the first female African-American neurosurgeon in the United States. http://www.biography.c om/people/alexa- canady-21333715 Alexa Canady (November 7, 1950)

Regina Benjamin (October 26, 1956) Physician Regina Benjamin worked as the 18th U.S. surgeon general, appointed by President Barack Obama in 2009. http://www.biography.c om/people/regina- benjamin-21333315 Regina Benjamin (October 26, 1956)

Marie M. Daly (April 16, 1921- October 28, 2003) Marie M. Daly is best known for being the first African-American woman to receive a Ph.D. in chemistry in the United States. http://www.biography.c om/people/marie-m- daly-604034 Marie M. Daly (April 16, 1921- October 28, 2003)

Mary Mahoney (May 7, 1845- January 4, 1926) Mary Mahoney became the first black woman to complete nurse's training in 1879. http://www.biography.c om/people/mary- mahoney-41021 Mary Mahoney (May 7, 1845- January 4, 1926)

Madam C J Walker (December 23, 1867- May 25, 1919) Madam C.J. Walker, born Sarah Breedlove, created specialized hair products for African- American hair and was one of the first American women to become a self- made millionaire. Madam C J Walker (December 23, 1867- May 25, 1919)

"My mom came home one day with an article from 1922 about Bessie Coleman. [That] was my first mentor: an article about [the first] black female pilot," says Wordlaw, a pilot for United Airlines—one of very few female African- Americans to fly for a major carrier. "It makes a difference to see someone who looks like you doing something that you want to do.“ http://www.marieclaire. com/celebrity/news/g31 13/womens-list- documentary/ Nia Wordlaw

Mary Styles Harris (June 26, 1949) Distinguished American health researcher Mary Styles Harris has gained national attention for her work and influence on national health policies. http://www.biography.c om/people/mary-styles- harris Mary Styles Harris (June 26, 1949)

Benjamin Banneker (November 9, 1731 – October 9, 1806) African American astronomer, mathematician and author who constructed America’s first functional clock. http://www.famousscien tists.org/15-famous- black-scientists-in- history/ Benjamin Banneker (November 9, 1731 – October 9, 1806)

Charles Drew (June 3, 1904 – April 1, 1950) American physician, surgeon and medical researcher known as the inventor of the blood bank. http://www.famousscien tists.org/15-famous- black-scientists-in- history/ Charles Drew (June 3, 1904 – April 1, 1950)

Dr. Daniel Hale Williams (January 18, 1858 – August 4, 1931) African American physician who performed the first prototype open-heart surgery. http://www.famousscien tists.org/15-famous- black-scientists-in- history/ Dr. Daniel Hale Williams (January 18, 1858 – August 4, 1931)

Emmett Chappelle (born October 25, 1925) African American scientist and researcher and a recipient of 14 U.S. patents, who discovered that a particular combination of chemicals caused all living organisms to emit light. http://www.famousscien tists.org/15-famous- black-scientists-in- history/ Emmett Chappelle (born October 25, 1925)

Ernest Everett Just (August 14, 1883 – October 27, 1941) African American biologist and author known for his work on egg fertilization and the structure of the cell. http://www.famousscien tists.org/15-famous- black-scientists-in- history/ Ernest Everett Just (August 14, 1883 – October 27, 1941)

Garrett Morgan (March 4, 1877 – August 27, 1963) African American inventor who made both the first traffic signal invention and the first patented gas mask. http://www.famousscien tists.org/15-famous- black-scientists-in- history/ Garrett Morgan (March 4, 1877 – August 27, 1963)

George Washington Carver (January 1864 – January 5, 1943) American scientist and inventor and an extraordinary explorer and innovator of agricultural science. . http://www.famousscien tists.org/15-famous- black-scientists-in- history/ George Washington Carver (January 1864 – January 5, 1943)

James West (born February 10, 1931) African-American inventor who developed the “mic” in the 1960s; holds 47 U.S. and more than 200 foreign patents on microphones and techniques for making polymer foil- electrets. http://www.famousscien tists.org/15-famous- black-scientists-in- history/ James West (born February 10, 1931)

Norbert Rillieux (March 17, 1806 – October 8, 1894) American inventor and engineer, best remembered for his invention of the multiple-effect evaporator. http://www.famousscien tists.org/15-famous- black-scientists-in- history/ Norbert Rillieux (March 17, 1806 – October 8, 1894)

Percy Lavon Julian (April 11, 1899 – April 19, 1975) African American researcher known for being a pioneer in the chemical synthesis of medicinal drugs from plants. http://www.famousscien tists.org/15-famous- black-scientists-in- history/ Percy Lavon Julian (April 11, 1899 – April 19, 1975)

Philip Emeagwali (born August 23, 1954) Nigerian-born scientist and inventor known for first using a Connection Machine supercomputer to help analyze petroleum fields. http://www.famousscien tists.org/15-famous- black-scientists-in- history/ Philip Emeagwali (born August 23, 1954)

Prof. Samuel Massie Jr. (July 3, 1919 – April 10, 2005) An organic chemist who was the first African American to teach at the U.S. Naval Academy. http://www.famousscien tists.org/15-famous- black-scientists-in- history/ Prof. Samuel Massie Jr. (July 3, 1919 – April 10, 2005)