African American Women Rulers 12” Ruler

This clever wooden ruler celebrates the contributions of African American women to the history and culture of the United States. The ruler has inches and centimeters on one side and the list of women “rulers” on the other.

The list pays particular attention to women who were involved with the Abolitionist movement of the early to mid-19th century and the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and ‘60s, starting with Elizabeth Freeman (1744?-1829), a national hero who was among the first enslaved people in Massachusetts to sue for and win her freedom.

Writers include novelist Zora Neale Hurston (1891-1960); Maya Angelou (1928-2014), who wrote autobiographies, books of essays, poetry, plays, movies, and television shows; and Toni Morrison (1931-2019) who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1993. Musicians include jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996), and politicians include current United States Vice President Kamala Harris (1964- ). There wasn’t enough room for all the outstanding athletes. This list could have filled a yardstick.

Birth and death years, when known, are listed along with an important accomplishment or the area in which each woman excelled.

The “head” image is that of Harriet Tubman (1820-1913), who escaped slavery and subsequently made some 13 missions to rescue approximately 70 enslaved people, using the network of anti-slavery activists and safe houses known as the Underground Railroad.

• American-grown basswood
• 12” long
• Made in the USA

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