FLY - Study with a Buddy

FLY's MOTIVATION MONDAY: “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” — Albert Einstein

Happy President's Day!

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Madam C.J. Walker (1867-1919), born Sarah Breedlove, was an African American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and political and social activist. She rose from the depths of poverty in the post-Civil War South to become one of the wealthiest African American women of her time and one of the most successful self-made women entrepreneurs in American history. Walker made her fortune by developing and marketing a line of beauty and hair care products for black women through the Madam C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company, which she founded.

Her business not only revolutionized black hair care but also empowered black women by providing them with economic opportunities and careers as sales agents across the United States, the Caribbean, and Central America. Beyond her entrepreneurial success, Walker was known for her philanthropy and activism. She contributed generously to educational causes, African American community organizations, and the NAACP’s anti-lynching fund, among others.

Walker's legacy extends beyond her business achievements and philanthropic efforts. She is celebrated as a trailblazer who broke racial and gender barriers, creating a lasting impact on the African American community and American society at large. Her life story is a testament to the power of resilience, innovation, and the pursuit of the American dream, serving as an inspiration to countless entrepreneurs and activists. Her legacy is preserved in numerous ways, including through biographies, documentaries, and the National Historic Landmark designation of her home, Villa Lewaro, in Irvington, New York.

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH: John Lewis (1940-2020) was an American politician and civil rights leader who played a pivotal role in the struggle for racial equality in the United States. Born in Troy, Alabama, Lewis grew to prominence as one of the "Big Six" leaders of the Civil Rights Movement, alongside figures like Martin Luther King Jr. He was instrumental in organizing the 1963 March on Washington and became nationally recognized for his leadership during the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches, particularly the events of "Bloody Sunday," where he and other marchers were brutally attacked by law enforcement while crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. These events were crucial in galvanizing national support for the civil rights movement and led directly to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Lewis served as the U.S. Representative for Georgia's 5th congressional district from 1987 until his death in 2020, where he was known as the "conscience of Congress" for his dedication to the moral and ethical principles of justice. Throughout his career, Lewis was a staunch advocate for nonviolent protest, dedicating his life to fighting for equality, justice, and human rights. His legislative work focused on voting rights, healthcare, and education, among other issues affecting his constituents and marginalized communities across the nation.

Lewis's legacy is marked by his unwavering commitment to justice and equality, his moral integrity, and his tireless advocacy for nonviolent change. He received numerous awards throughout his life, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011. John Lewis's life and work left an indelible mark on American history, serving as a beacon of hope and a source of inspiration for future generations to continue the fight for civil rights and social justice.

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Harriet Tubman (c. 1822-1913) was an African American abolitionist, humanitarian, and during the American Civil War, a Union spy. Born into slavery in Maryland, Tubman escaped to freedom in the North in 1849. However, her personal liberty was not enough; she became a conductor on the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses used to help enslaved African Americans escape to free states and Canada. Tubman is credited with making 13 missions to rescue approximately 70 enslaved people, including family and friends, using her knowledge of covert travel and survival techniques.

Tubman's bravery and determination were unparalleled. She never lost a "passenger" on the Underground Railroad, earning her the nickname "Moses" for leading her people to freedom. During the Civil War, she served the Union Army as a cook, nurse, and even a scout and spy, becoming the first woman to lead an armed expedition in the war, which liberated more than 700 slaves in South Carolina.

After the war, Tubman dedicated her life to helping impoverished former slaves and the elderly, establishing the Harriet Tubman Home for the Aged on land adjacent to her home in Auburn, New York. Her legacy extends far beyond her role in the abolition and Civil War; she's celebrated as a symbol of courage, resilience, and freedom. Tubman's life and work have been honored in numerous ways, including in literature, film, and through the naming of schools and public spaces. In 2016, it was announced that Harriet Tubman would replace Andrew Jackson on the center of a new $20 bill design, a move that would make her the first African American woman to be featured on U.S. currency, highlighting her enduring legacy as one of America's most iconic and inspirational figures.

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Malcolm X (1925-1965) was a prominent African American civil rights leader known for his fervent advocacy for Black empowerment, racial pride, and self-defense. Born Malcolm Little, he rose to prominence as a member of the Nation of Islam, adopting the name Malcolm X to signify the loss of his African ancestry. His articulate public speeches and uncompromising stance on civil rights issues highlighted the systemic racism and inequality faced by African Americans, drawing both admiration and controversy.

During the early 1960s, Malcolm X's philosophy evolved following his pilgrimage to Mecca, leading him to embrace Sunni Islam and advocate for racial unity and cooperation. He began to see the potential for racial harmony and shifted his focus towards human rights over merely civil rights. This period marked a significant transformation in his ideology, moving away from the separatist rhetoric that had defined much of his early activism.

Malcolm X's life was cut short when he was assassinated in 1965, but his legacy endures as a symbol of resistance against oppression and as a champion of the right to self-identity and self-determination for African Americans. His eloquent indictments of racism and his advocacy for civil rights have inspired generations of activists. Malcolm X remains a complex figure, often remembered for his contribution to the debate on race relations in America and his influence on the civil rights movement, shaping the discourse on race and equality both nationally and internationally.

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Ruby Bridges (born in 1954) became a symbol of the civil rights movement at the tender age of six when she became the first African American child to desegregate an all-white elementary school in the South. In 1960, under the es**rt of federal marshals, Bridges entered William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, Louisiana, an act that was a pivotal moment in the desegregation of schools in the United States.

Her brave act took place in the context of intense opposition and societal upheaval, yet her family's and her own courage played a crucial role in advancing the cause of civil rights and furthering the desegregation of schools across the country. Ruby's solitary walk to school, immortalized in Norman Rockwell's painting "The Problem We All Live With," became an iconic image of the civil rights movement.

Beyond her childhood, Ruby Bridges has continued to be an advocate for racial equality, speaking publicly about her experiences and the ongoing struggle for civil rights. She established the Ruby Bridges Foundation to promote tolerance and create change through education. Her story is taught in schools across America, serving as an enduring reminder of the power of individual courage to catalyze social change. Bridges' legacy is a testament to the impact that one person, regardless of age, can have on the fight for justice and equality.

FLY'S MONDAY MOTIVATION: “The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” ― Michael Altshuler

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH! Jackie Robinson (1919-1972) was an American baseball player who became a pivotal figure in the history of the sport and the Civil Rights Movement. In 1947, Robinson broke Major League Baseball's color barrier when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers, becoming the first African American to play in MLB in the modern era. His entry into the league was a significant challenge to the segregation that had divided sports in the United States.

Robinson's outstanding career on the field, including winning the Rookie of the Year award, an MVP award, and a World Series championship, alongside his dignity in the face of racism and hostility, won him respect and admiration from a broad audience. His success helped pave the way for the integration of sports in America and contributed to the broader Civil Rights Movement, showing that African Americans could excel at the highest levels of professional sports.

Beyond his baseball career, Robinson was an active and outspoken advocate for civil rights, using his fame and influence to challenge racial inequalities. After retiring from baseball, he continued to work as a businessman, civil rights activist, and commentator. Jackie Robinson's legacy is celebrated for breaking racial barriers, his contributions to the civil rights cause, and his role as a model of courage and perseverance. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal, and his jersey number, 42, is retired across all Major League Baseball teams, a testament to his profound impact on the sport and American society.

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH! Rosa Parks (1913-2005) was an African American civil rights activist whose refusal to surrender her seat to a white passenger on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, on December 1, 1955, sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott. This pivotal event became one of the major early catalysts of the Civil Rights Movement. Parks' act of defiance and the subsequent boycott, which lasted over a year, led to a Supreme Court ruling that bus segregation was unconstitutional, marking a significant victory for civil rights in America. Beyond her famous stand on the bus, Rosa Parks was an active NAACP member and worked alongside other civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. Throughout her life, she remained a symbol of dignity, strength, and the struggle for justice. Parks' legacy endures as a testament to the power of peaceful protest and the impact one individual can have on the course of history. She received numerous accolades during her lifetime, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal, reflecting her profound impact on American society.

FLY'S MOTIVATION MONDAY: “Either you run the day or the day runs you.” — Jim Rohn

Celebrating Black History Month all month long!