African-Americans in Transportation

February is when we make the effort to celebrate the contributions that African-Americans have made to the United States. They have had an impact in all areas of our society from education, medicine, entertainment, science and law to name a few. Their influence in the transportation industry is just as important and we will recognize their contributions each day this month. African-Americans have played a role in the development and advancement of all modes of transportation, which include land, sea, air and space.

February 28

Katherine Johnson: NASA Mathematician, was portrayed by Taraji P. Henson in the 2016 film Hidden Figures

February 27

Robert Sengstacke Abbott: Newspaper Publisher

February 26

Marshall W. “Major” Taylor: First African American to become a world-champion cyclist

February 25

Victor Hugo Green: Postal Employee and Travel Writer; Developed and wrote The Negro Motorist Green Book (The Negro Travelers’ Green Book) which was the inspiration for the 2018 movie Green Book.

February 24

Stephanie Diana Wilson: Astronaut

February 23

Robert Smalls: Sailor

February 22

McKinley Thompson: Automobile Designer

February 21

Edward Davis: First African American to own and operate a car dealership and serve as the general manager for Detroit’s Department of Street Railways (currently the Detroit Department of Transportation)

February 20

Bessie Stringfield: First African American to ride across the US solo on a motorcycle

February 19

Raye Jean Jordan Montague: Naval Engineer

February 18

James Forten: Sailmaker

February 17

Richard Etheridge: Pea Island Life-Saving Station Keeper

February 16

Carmen Turner: First African American woman to lead a major public transit agency

February 15

Charles Richard “Rich” Patterson: Carriage Manufacturer

February 14

Katherine T. “Kittie” Knox: Cyclist

February 13

Ruth Carol Taylor: First African American Flight Attendant

February 12

Isaac Myers: Caulker, Trade Unionist

February 11

William T. Coleman, Jr.: U.S. Secretary of Transportation

February 10

Stephen Myers: Underground Railroad Leader

February 9

Dr. Bernard A. Harris Jr.: Astronaut

February 8

Brenda E. Robinson: U.S. Naval Aviator

February 7

Frederick McKinley “Casey” Jones: Inventor

February 6

Dr. Mae C. Jemison: Astronaut

February 5

James Herman Banning: Aviator

February 4

Leonard A. Grimes: Conductor for the Underground Railroad

February 3

Garrett A. Morgan: Inventor

February 2

Evelyn J. Fields: Rear admiral, NOAA (National Oceanic andFebru Atmospheric Administration) Commissioned Officer Corps

February 1

Archibald “Archie” Alphonso Alexander: Architect and engineer