Turkiya Lowe: The First Black and Female Chief Historian of the National Park Service
Turkiya Lowe's contributions to the National Park Service as the first African American Chief Historian and Deputy Federal Preservation Officer have been instrumental in preserving important landmarks and historic sites. Her work has been significant not only for African Americans, but for all Americans who value cultural heritage and representation.
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Even today, African Americans continue to blaze new trails and make history in various fields. One example is Turkiya Lowe, the first Black and female Chief Historian and Deputy Federal Preservation Officer of the National Park Service (NPS). Her achievements in the field of history have made significant contributions to the preservation and representation of Black history.
Turkiya Lowe earned her Ph.D. in History in 2010 and has nearly two decades of experience working in the National Park Service. Before she was appointed Chief Historian in 2017, she served as the Southeast Region Chief Historian and Chief for the Southeast Region’s Cultural Resource Research and Science Branch. She oversaw the region-wide History and Cultural Anthropology Programs for 70 National Parks in nine states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Her portfolio included assisting state and local governments, private organizations, and individual stewards in identifying, protecting, and preserving essential places through the National Historic Landmarks Program, the National Register of Historic Places, the Historic Surplus Property Program, and other NPS community partnership programs.
Turkiya Lowe has contributed significantly to the NPS and the field of history. As the Southeast Region Chief Historian, she oversaw the development and implementation of numerous history programs, projects, and research initiatives. She also served as a subject matter expert on history projects undertaken within the National Park Service, such as administrative histories of specific parks and programs and national register of historic places nominations. Her facilitation responsibility includes forging formal and informal partnerships with professional historical associations, cultural resources management organizations, and independent scholars.
Turkiya Lowe's contributions to the field of history have helped preserve and represent important aspects of Black history. Through her work in the National Park Service, she has ensured that historic places that are physical manifestations of past events are preserved for others to experience and enjoy. Her expertise has also helped create interpretive content and educational programs presented in parks, giving visitors a deeper understanding of the vital role that Black Americans played in shaping our nation's history.
Turkiya Lowe's contributions to the preservation and representation of Black history are significant because they help address the lack of representation and visibility of Black Americans in historical narratives. Her work ensures that important aspects of Black history are preserved and celebrated, providing opportunities for Black Americans to connect with their past and gain a deeper understanding of their place in American history. Moreover, her appointment as the first Black and female Chief Historian of the National Park Service is a significant milestone that inspires and empowers future generations of Black historians and trailblazers.
Turkiya Lowe's achievements as the first Black and female Chief Historian of the National Park Service have paved the way for greater Black representation in the field of history. Her contributions have helped preserve and represent important aspects of Black history, providing opportunities for Black Americans to connect with their past and gain a deeper understanding of their place in American history. Turkiya Lowe is a trailblazer and an inspiration to all who seek to make a positive impact in their respective fields.
Bessie Coleman: Trailblazing African American Aviator
Bessie Coleman’s contributions to aviation and civil rights continue to inspire people today. Her achievements proved that anything is possible with hard work and determination, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Bessie’s legacy is a testament to the perseverance of African American women and an inspiration to all who face adversity.
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Despite facing numerous obstacles due to her race and gender, Bessie Coleman became one of the most famous aviators of her time, and her legacy continues to inspire people today.
Who Was Bessie Coleman?
Bessie was born in Texas in 1892, one of thirteen children. She grew up in a world where African Americans faced intense discrimination and segregation, and her family struggled to make ends meet. Despite this, Bessie was determined to get an education, and she attended a one-room schoolhouse before moving to Oklahoma to attend college.
In 1915, Bessie Coleman moved to Chicago to live with her brothers, where she began working as a manicurist in a barber shop. Despite facing discrimination and racism, Bessie was determined to pursue her dream of becoming a pilot. She began attending night classes to improve her reading and writing skills and saved money for flight school by working two jobs.
Earning Her Wings
Bessie was denied admission to American flight schools because of her race and gender, but she did not give up. She learned about flight schools in France that accepted women and people of color and began taking French lessons at the Berlitz School in Chicago. After saving enough money, Bessie moved to France in 1920 to attend the Caudron Brothers' School of Aviation in Le Crotoy, France. She earned her pilot's license in just seven months, becoming the first African American woman to earn an international pilot's license.
Despite her passion for learning and aviation, Bessie faced many obstacles due to her race and gender. She was denied entry to flight schools in the United States, so she went to France to pursue her dreams. There, she earned her pilot’s license, becoming the first African American woman to do so.
Lasting Impact
After gaining her pilot’s license, Bessie began performing in air shows around the country and inspiring countless people with her skill and bravery. She also used her platform to advocate for equal rights, hoping to break down barriers for future generations.
Bessie’s contributions to aviation and civil rights continue to inspire people today. Her achievements proved that anything is possible with hard work and determination, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Bessie’s legacy is a testament to the perseverance of African American women and an inspiration to all who face adversity.
Bessie Coleman’s life and achievements continue to inspire people today. Her story reminds us that even in the face of adversity, anything is possible with hard work and determination. Bessie’s legacy is a testament to the perseverance of African American women and the power of the human spirit.
George Gibbs Jr.: First African American to Step Foot on Antarctica
George Gibbs Jr. lived an exceptional life that was marked by his determination and willingness to take on challenges. He became the first African American to step foot on the continent of Antarctica, despite facing immense obstacles due to the limited opportunities available to black people during his time. He assisted in establishing Little America III and helped capture penguins for the Smithsonian, among other achievements. Although Gibbs Point in Antarctica was named after him in 2009, it took nearly 70 years after his historic expedition.
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George Gibbs Jr. is an African American trailblazer in polar exploration, a noteworthy achievement being the first Black person to set foot on the Antarctic continent. Gibbs was born in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1916, but his family eventually relocated to Brooklyn, New York. Gibbs enlisted in the US Navy as a mess attendant in the 1930s, a time when African Americans were limited to menial roles in the military. But it would be Gibbs' position as a mess attendant on Admiral Richard Byrd's Second Antarctic Expedition of 1939-1940, which provided him an opportunity to challenge stereotypes and open doors for future generations.
Antarctica Expedition
On January 14, 1940, Gibbs stepped ashore on the continent of Antarctica, becoming the first African American to do so. In addition to assisting in establishing the Little America III base, Gibbs helped capture penguins for the Smithsonian. The challenging and dangerous conditions of the expedition were described as foggy, with no working radio for communication, yet Gibbs persevered through the difficult circumstances.
Despite the obstacles he faced, Gibbs remained resolute in his pursuit of a better future. He kept a diary, and in an entry on February 2, 1940, he wrote,
“I am doing the same thing every day and at times, I think I will go nuts, especially when I think about my race being limited to one branch of services, regardless of the many qualifications that members of my race have… However…with the little courage and faith I have left and live by… after these four years are up, I will try something that will offer me a better opportunity in accomplishing something in life, rather than just occupying space”
His words reflected his desire to challenge racial barriers and limitations and seek opportunities that would allow him to make a positive impact on the world.
Gibbs' contributions to Antarctic exploration were significant, and in 2009, nearly 70 years after he first stepped on the continent, Gibbs Point was named in his honor. However, his impact extended beyond his achievements in polar exploration. He went on to serve in World War II aboard the USS Atlanta, which was sunk by a Japanese destroyer in 1942. Gibbs survived a night in shark-infested waters before being rescued.
Gibbs’ Legacy
George Gibbs Jr. Holding picture of U.S.S Bear
George Gibbs Jr.'s determination and willingness to take on challenges led him to become a trailblazer for African Americans in the field of polar exploration. His achievement as the first African American to set foot on the continent of Antarctica, despite the limitations and obstacles he faced, made a significant impact on history. Gibbs' legacy has inspired countless individuals to challenge racial barriers and seek opportunities to make a positive impact on the world.
Further Reading
Esteban - Black Explorer Who Helped Map the Southwest
Esteban de Dorantes was a Black explorer who played a key role in the early exploration of what is now the southwestern United States. His contributions to the region helped shape the course of American history and serve as a reminder of the often-overlooked role that Black people have played in exploration and discovery.
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Esteban de Dorantes, an enslaved man who accompanied Spanish explorers on expeditions to the Americas in the early 16th century, played a key role in the early exploration of what is now the southwestern United States. His contributions to this region helped shape the course of American history and serve as a reminder of the often-overlooked role that Black people have played in exploration and discovery.
Esteban de Dorantes was a Black explorer born in present-day Morocco in the late 15th century. He was brought to the Americas as a slave and eventually became a captive of Spanish explorer Andrés Dorantes de Carranza. Esteban accompanied Dorantes and several other Spanish explorers on expeditions to Florida, Mexico, and what is now the southwestern United States.
Southwest Exploration
Narvaez Expedition route through the New World. Courtesy of Texascounties.net.
Esteban's most significant contributions came during the Narváez expedition of 1528, in which he was part of an ill-fated attempt to colonize the Gulf Coast region of the United States. After the expedition's ships were wrecked, Esteban and the other survivors traveled westward, eventually reaching what is now Texas and New Mexico.
Esteban played a crucial role in the expedition's interactions with Native American tribes, as he was able to speak several different Native American languages. He acted as a mediator and interpreter, helping to establish peaceful relationships between the Spanish explorers and the tribes they encountered.
Esteban de Dorantes The Black Explorer Who Helped Map the SouthWest
After Native Americans killed the expedition's leaders, Esteban and several other survivors continued westward. They eventually reached what is now Arizona, where Esteban was killed by the Zuni people while attempting to negotiate for food and supplies. Despite his tragic end, Esteban's explorations and interactions with Native American tribes helped to lay the groundwork for later Spanish expeditions and settlements in the region.
Esteban’s Legacy
Esteban's story is a reminder of the significant contributions that Black people have made to American history and culture, even in the face of oppression and slavery. His role as a mediator and communicator helped to promote peace and understanding between different cultures, and his explorations helped to map and shape the southwestern United States.
Esteban de Dorantes was a trailblazer in the field of exploration, and his legacy is an important part of Black history in America. His story serves as a reminder of the often-overlooked role that Black people have played in the exploration and discovery of the United States. By recognizing and celebrating the contributions of Black figures like Esteban, we can honor their legacy and inspire future generations to continue to explore and discover.