Mary Church Terrell was a prominent African American activist and educator who advocated for civil rights and women's suffrage in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1863 to formerly enslaved parents, and she went on to graduate from Oberlin College in 1884, becoming one of the first African American women to earn a college degree.

Terrell was a co-founder of the National Association of Colored Women (NACW) in 1896, an organization dedicated to advancing the rights and opportunities for African American women. She was also one of the first African American women appointed to a local school board in the United States, serving on the District of Columbia Board of Education.

Throughout her life, Terrell was a vocal advocate for racial equality, women's suffrage, and anti-lynching legislation. She traveled internationally to speak out against discrimination and injustice, and she was known for her eloquent speeches and writings on civil rights issues.

Mary Church Terrell was a trailblazer and a tireless champion for equality and justice, leaving a lasting legacy in the fight for civil rights in America.