Before Cesar Chavez organized farm workers, A. Philip Randolph was instrumental in unionizing Pullman workers. One year before the Dred Scott decision, a slave in California was able to obtain her freedom. Jack Johnson preceded Joe Louis as a successful Black boxer and Mary ­Golda Ross was the first Indigenous woman to receive a degree in aeronautical engineering and then work for NASA. These brief biographies introduce significant leaders who were overshadowed by those who came later. The focus is primarily on their respective accomplishments with little mention of personal lives. However, their achievements, often against the odds, paved the way for the accomplishments of others. Bridget Mason's story is ­especially inspiring as she employed her freedom and midwifery skills to obtain wealth for herself and her family. Photographs accompany the texts. The narratives are readable and informative, and they provide stories about forgotten ­pioneers. ­VERDICT There is little out there on these significant ­trailblazers and these titles should be added to ­collections.--Margaret Nunes, formerly Gwinnet County PL, GA "School Library Journal"

Publisher: Capstone Press

Pub date: 2024-08-01

Length: 32 pages