Surprising Facts About Black Women

Think you know all there is to know about the African-American experience? These surprising facts about black women just might surprise you.

A Black Woman Designed The Playboy Bunny Outfit

Zelda Wynn Valdes was designer-to-the-stars in the ’40s and ’50s known for her form-fitting designs for stars like Dorothy Dandridge, Josephine Baker, Ella Fitzgerald and Mae West. Hugh Hefner hired her to design costumes for his Playboy bunnies and history was born.

Black Women Lead The Nation In College Enrollment

In the last few decades, the number of African-American women in college has ballooned to surpass all other groups in the United States.

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A Black Woman Ran For President in 1972

Shirley Chisholm’s run for president in 1972 was a symbolic gesture to pave the way for other African-American candidates like Barack Obama. And Shirley’s political statement nearly cost her her life — three times. Hear Shirley talk about it in the award-winning documentary Shirley Chisholm ’72: Unbossed and Unbought.

Black Women Are More Likely To Work Than Any Other Group

And that’s been true since the beginning of African-American women’s history in this country.

Black Women Are The Largest Growing Group Of Business Owners

Black women are the fastest growing segment of the women-owned business market.

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Once Upon A Time, Singers Dated Politicians

There’s probably not much room for this story line on Love and Hip Hop but Coretta Scott King was a well-known singer before she met her husband Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Aunt Jemima Was A Real Woman

Her name was Nancy Green, a forme slave who was employed to promote the Aunt Jemima Brand.

Now her great grandson is suing Aunt Jemima for roughly $2 billion in royalties he says they denied Nancy Green during her lifetime.

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A Black Woman Was The First Woman In History To Rule

Egyptian Pharaoh Hatshepsut (1503 to 1482 B.C.) ruled ancient Egypt for 33 years and is the earliest recorded female ruler. However, it wasn’t uncommon for Egypt’s African pharaohs to be women and history is patiently waiting for the discovery of other black women who ruled even before Hatshepsut.

Black Women Make The Strongest Babies

You don’t have to take our word for it According to a recent study at The University Of Florida, black babies are born with more developed motor skills and are more likely to survive complications like low birth weight.

There Was A Female Buffalo Soldier

Her name was Cathay Williams, but she posed as William Cathay to pass herself off as a man to join the Buffalo Soldiers in 1866.

Cathay served for two years before a doctor discovered her secret and she was discharged.

Most Unmarried Mothers Are White

The “welfare mom” is a pernicious stereotype that the statistics just don’t support. Most unwed mothers under the age of 30 are actually white.

Imani Is The “Blackest” Name

At least according to a recent survey that tracked the popularity of black names — and how they can keep black women from getting hired.

Black Women Have Safer Sex

The National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior found that black and Hispanic women lead all other groups in the US when it comes to frequency of condom use.

Black Women Enjoy Less Oral Sex

It’s not all good news. Black women give and receive less oral sex than almost any other demographic.