San Diego #nokings

They’re blooming here too. I just took this photo about 30 minutes ago.

Mary Ann Shadd Cary was an American-Canadian publisher and activist. She was the first African-American woman, and the first Canadian woman of any race, to publish a newspaper. “The Provincial Freeman” was published from 1853 through 1857.

Alma Woodsey Thomas was a teacher and artist who became the first fine arts graduate of Howard University in 1924. In 1973, she became the first black woman to have a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Bessie Coleman was a pilot and barnstormer. In 1921, she became the first American of any race or gender to receive a pilot’s license from the Federation Aeronautique International. This also made her the first African American woman to earn a pilot’s license.

Octavia E. Butler was a science fiction writer. She published 12 novels and 2 story collections. Her work is taught at over 200 colleges and universities. Her books are fantastic. If you haven’t read one, get yourself to the library tomorrow.

Dr. Patricia Bath was an ophthalmologist and inventor. She invented the Laserphaco probe, a device used to treat cataracts. She was the first black woman doctor to receive a medical patent. (Photo from National Library of Medicine)

Beach therapy on this otherwise tragic day.