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Black History Month: 10 Inspiring Quotes

Black History Month began in 1926 when historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History proclaimed the second week of February to be a time when the history of American Black people would be taught in public schools.

The movement to recognize and celebrate the role African Americans have played in U.S. history gained momentum, and by 1976, the annual event became Black History Month. Then-President Gerald Ford proclaimed the country should "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history."

Join with Guideposts as we celebrate the invaluable contributions of Black Americans in a wide range of fields of endeavor, including science, literature, social work, politics and sports.

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Guideposts: Ida B. Wells, journalist, suffragist, and civil rights activist

The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.

—Ida B. Wells, journalist, suffragist, and civil rights activist

Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.

—James Baldwin, author

Guideposts: Harriet Tubman, abolitionist, humanitarian, and Union spy

Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.

—Harriet Tubman, abolitionist, humanitarian, and Union spy

Guideposts: George Washington Carver, botanist and inventor

When you do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world.

—George Washington Carver, botanist and inventor

Guideposts: Sojourner Truth, abolitionist and women's rights activist

I feel safe in the midst of my enemies, for the truth is all powerful and will prevail.

—Sojourner Truth, abolitionist and women's rights activist

Guideposts: W.E.B. Du Bois, historian, activist, author and editor

Believe in life! Always human beings will live and progress to greater, broader, and fuller life.

—W.E.B. Du Bois, historian, activist, author and editor

Sometimes, I feel discriminated against, but it does not make me angry. It merely astonishes me. How can any deny themselves the pleasure of my company? It's beyond me.

—Zora Neale Hurston, author

Guideposts: Muhammad Ali, champion boxer

We have one life; it soon will be past; what we do for God is all that will last.

—Muhammad Ali, champion boxer

Guideposts: Toni Morrison, Pulitzer and Nobel Prize-winning author

Make a difference about something other than yourselves.

—Toni Morrison, Pulitzer and Nobel Prize-winning author

Guideposts: Arthur Ashe, champion tennis player and activist

True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.

—Arthur Ashe, champion tennis player and activist

Jessye Norman, Tim Conway and Rachel Held Evans

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