“ I hope it's a bit of a love letter to everyone who feels different, who feels out of place, to all of the Black women who have walked into rooms and felt like they haven't been welcomed. ”
Widely credited to this person; primary source not yet confirmed.
ContextBaker, an entertainer who became a civil-rights figure and wartime Resistance agent, on a life given to performance.Read More: LGBTQ+ Voices
Their StoryMissouri-born entertainer who became one of France's most celebrated performers, taking Paris by storm in the 1920s. During the Second World War she worked with the French Resistance, smuggling coded messages hidden in her sheet music, and was later awarded the Croix de guerre. In 1963 she stood on the podium at the March on Washington as the only official female speaker.Her memoirs and the biography by Jean-Claude Baker are the fullest primary sources.See Their Full Story
“ There is hope in the young people out there. And I just want to say to all my peers out there doing the work in the streets: I see you, I admire you, I thank you. ”
ContextZendaya, the youngest woman and second Black woman to win the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama, in her acceptance speech during a summer of protest.
Their StoryAmerican actor who became the youngest woman ever, and the second Black woman, to win the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, for her role in 'Euphoria', a win she repeated in 2022.Her Emmy acceptance speeches are direct primary sources.See Their Full Story
“ I can't overstate the biggest joy, which is really seeing yourself. I know I look different to others, but to me I'm just starting to look like myself. ”
EntertainmentMale Role ModelsDisabledHe / Him · Pronounced: KRIS-tuh-fer REEV
He / Him · Pronounced: KRIS-tuh-fer REEV
Source: Still Me, autobiography · original link to be verified
ContextReeve, paralysed after a horse-riding accident in 1995, redefining heroism away from physical feats and towards endurance.Read More: Disability Rights
“ Stop talking about it. I'm going to stop calling you a white man. And I'm going to ask you to stop calling me a black man. I know you as Mike Wallace. You know me as Morgan Freeman. ”
EntertainmentWomenBlackShe / Her · Pronounced: zen-DAY-uh
She / Her · Pronounced: zen-DAY-uh
Source: Widely reported interview material · original link to be verified
Widely credited to this person; primary source not yet confirmed.
ContextZendaya on why she treats her public platform as more than promotion.
Their StoryAmerican actor who became the youngest woman ever, and the second Black woman, to win the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, for her role in 'Euphoria', a win she repeated in 2022.Her Emmy acceptance speeches are direct primary sources.See Their Full Story