A woman born in 1867 in the Louisiana Delta would go from working the cotton fields and a simple wash woman to become America's first American self-made female millionaire.

History was made again last year when Barak Obama became the first African American to become President of the United States.  It was a monumental achievement as both blacks and whites across the nation came together, overlooked color, and cast their votes for change.  The President issued an official proclamation Feb 1, 2010. 

"In the centuries since African Americans first arrived on our shores, they have known the bitterness of slavery and oppression, the hope of progress, and the triumph of the American Dream. African American history is an essential thread of the American narrative that traces our Nation's enduring struggle to perfect itself. Each February, we recognize African American History Month as a moment to reflect upon how..."   Click to continue to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History to read the rest of the Proclamation.