Mary Church Terrell was a prominent African American civil rights activist, suffragist, and educator in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She was born in 1863 in Memphis, Tennessee to former enslaved parents. Terrell was one of the first African American women to earn a college degree, graduating from Oberlin College in 1884.

She became an outspoken advocate for civil rights and women's suffrage, and was a founding member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Terrell was also a founding member of the National Association of Colored Women (NACW), where she worked to address issues such as lynching, segregation, and discrimination.

Terrell was known for her powerful speeches and writings on racial justice and equality. She fought against racial segregation and discrimination, and worked tirelessly to promote educational opportunities for African Americans. Throughout her life, Terrell was a leading voice in the fight for civil rights and social justice, and her legacy continues to inspire activists today.