Bass, Charlotta Amanda Spears
1874-1969 · Contribution: 1912-1951
Newspaper publisher; civil rights activist
Became the first African American woman to own and operate a newspaper in the United States, running the California Eagle for nearly four decades, then became the first Black woman nominated for U.S. vice president in 1952
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Quick facts
- Born
- 1874, Sumter, South Carolina
- Active since
- 1912
- Category
- Press & Photography
- Best known for
- First African American woman to own and run a U.S. newspaper; first Black woman nominated for vice president
Impact on the world
For nearly four decades Bass turned a Los Angeles weekly into a civil rights weapon, then broke a national political barrier seven decades before a Black woman would be elected vice president.
Sources
- National Park Service
1 more sources and references are available to members.
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