Yesterday, we marked International Women’s Day.
This thread captures the impact of African women in the world. They were scientists, activists, artists, feminists. They changed the status quo in extraordinary ways.
This here is our salute to the women who have gone before us. Do see below:
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti. The first woman in Nigeria to drive a car. She fought for the right for Nigerian women to vote. #IWD2017 pic.twitter.com/gxU1q8Df3W
— Christiana Amarachi Mbakwe (@Christiana1987) March 8, 2017
Queen Ana Nzinga. She ruled the Mbundu people in Angola. A brilliant military strategist, she led revolts against Portuguese slave traders. pic.twitter.com/4KzyDaLOKB
— Christiana Amarachi Mbakwe (@Christiana1987) March 8, 2017
Nzinga fought valiantly against the slave traders and tried to protect her people. She was eventually forced to capitulate and negotiate.
— Christiana Amarachi Mbakwe (@Christiana1987) March 8, 2017
Theodosia Okoh. When Ghana became independent they needed a new flag. Theodosia's design won. She also helped develop hockey in Ghana. pic.twitter.com/iJbtlDhfUI
— Christiana Amarachi Mbakwe (@Christiana1987) March 8, 2017
Lilian Masediba Ngoyi. An anti-apartheid activist who worked tirelessly for black South Africans. Defied segregation rules. Bold and daring. pic.twitter.com/GuXPy3ROqn
— Christiana Amarachi Mbakwe (@Christiana1987) March 8, 2017
Empress Taytu Betul. She founded Ethiopia's capital & when the Italians invaded Ethiopia she played a significant role in defeating them. pic.twitter.com/pqpoZIbiGn
— Christiana Amarachi Mbakwe (@Christiana1987) March 8, 2017
Wangari Maathai. An environmental activist & first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Was persecuted for her work, she didn't stop. pic.twitter.com/286OQFQR8r
— Christiana Amarachi Mbakwe (@Christiana1987) March 8, 2017
Sarah Forbes Bonetta. An orphan who was sold into slavery & then raised by Queen Victoria. She married an aristocrat & returned to Nigeria. pic.twitter.com/4frXbLuJw7
— Christiana Amarachi Mbakwe (@Christiana1987) March 8, 2017
Sarah married a Nigerian aristocrat named Captain James Davis & always stayed in touch with Queen Victoria. Forgotten black British history.
— Christiana Amarachi Mbakwe (@Christiana1987) March 8, 2017
Phillis Wheatley was born in west Africa & sold into slavery as a little girl. She later became a famous poet & had to defend her authorship pic.twitter.com/f31Fvv1Xz0
— Christiana Amarachi Mbakwe (@Christiana1987) March 8, 2017
Esther Mahlangu. An incredible South African artist who is keeping the artistic traditions, aesthetics & techniques of the ancestors alive. pic.twitter.com/X82yZYBjoH
— Christiana Amarachi Mbakwe (@Christiana1987) March 8, 2017
Dr. Nashwa Eassa. A nanoparticle physicist. Winner of the Elsevier Foundation Award & she does work to help Sudanese girls go into science. pic.twitter.com/EJjPru0I9R
— Christiana Amarachi Mbakwe (@Christiana1987) March 8, 2017
I could go on and on, but I'll stop here. African women's contributions to the world are often overlooked and ignored.
— Christiana Amarachi Mbakwe (@Christiana1987) March 8, 2017
As this thread demonstrates our stories & our history range in depth and dimension. Scientists, activists, queens, warriors, artists etc.
— Christiana Amarachi Mbakwe (@Christiana1987) March 8, 2017
The fact that we document our history orally has been a great handicap. Now it seems as though African women must be taught "feminism"
— Christiana Amarachi Mbakwe (@Christiana1987) March 8, 2017
But I hope the thread shows African women have always been feminists, pioneers and leaders. Long may it continue. #IWD2017
— Christiana Amarachi Mbakwe (@Christiana1987) March 8, 2017
Every single woman in that thread deserves a biopic, and it's a great injustice it hasn't happened – yet.
— Christiana Amarachi Mbakwe (@Christiana1987) March 8, 2017
And we must contest the narrative that African women are hopeless and need saving. Everything we need lies within us and in our history.
— Christiana Amarachi Mbakwe (@Christiana1987) March 8, 2017
Marvellous.
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