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