Table of Contents
Preface 7
Acknowledgements 9
1 Susie Revels Cayton: Writer, Activist and Newspaper Editor 11
2 Nettie Craig Asberry: Iconic Civil Rights Leader 19
3 Alice Augusta Ball: Brilliant Unsung Chemist 25
4 Washington State Federation of Colored Women's Clubs 29
5 Bertha Pitts Campbell: Pioneering Activist and Trailblazer 37
6 Lillian Walker: Bremerton's Civil Rights Vanguard 42
7 Thelma Dewitty: Seattle's First Black Teacher 47
8 Willetta Riddle Gayton: The Seattle School Board's First Black Librarian 51
9 Letitia Graves: The First President of the Seattle Branch of the NAACP 56
10 Madame Luella Ruth Brown Boyer (Brent): Everett's First Black Woman Business Owner 59
11 Breaking the Color Line: Boeing Hires Black Rosie the Riveters 63
12 Jennie Samuels: Pioneering Clubwoman 73
13 Nora B. Adams: The Seattle School Board's First Black Woman Principal 78
14 Dorothy Hollingsworth: First Black Woman Elected to the Seattle Public School Board 82
15 Dr. Dolores Silas: The First Black Woman Elected to the Tacoma City Council 86
16 Victoria Freeman: Longview's Civil Rights Pioneer 91
17 Manima Wilson: The First Black Woman to Graduate from Everett High School and the University of Washington 95
18 Rosa Franklin: The First Black Woman Elected to the Washington State Senate 98
19 Fabienne "Fae" Brooks: Trailblazing Law Enforcement Officer 104
20 The Women Who Propelled the Seattle Chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) 111
21 Black Women Musicians Were the Backbone in Establishing the Black Musicians' Union 120
22 Path Bown: Internationally Renowned Jazz Pianist, Composer and Singer 123
23 Edythe Turnham and Her Knights of Syncopation 128
24 Ruby Bishop: Seattle Hall of Fame's First Lady of Jazz 130
25 Peggy Joan Maxie: The First Black Woman Elected to Washington State Legislature 134
26 Jane A. Ruley: The First Black Woman Teacher in Washington State 137
27 Marjorie E. Pitter King: The First Black Woman to Serve in the Washington State Legislature 139
28 Frances L. Scott: The First Black Woman to Become a Lawyer in Spokane 142
29 Dr. Maxine Mimms: The First Black Woman to Establish a College 147
Bibliography 153
About the Author 160
