Ladies and gentlemen Have you ever taken time to think about the significance of African Americans in the history of this great nation? I am sure by now most of us are wondering why we need the ‘Black history’. I understand such questions because I know where we are coming from; however, this history is important for several reasons as explored in this speech. First, the blacks have been part of the American society from the time they entered here through slavery or otherwise. Such part of history justifies the need to be immersed in the history and stories of African Americans. History shows the far African Americans have come, their experiences, challenges, and potentials in building our society. You will all agree with me that through the powerful application of our strengths we can observe and know our métier with reference to past events. However, as we may know much concerning the Black history, I am convinced that very few of us have taken time to evaluate and appreciate the contributions of Black women in our society. Well, Ida Wells-Barnett has affected our lives in various ways through her passion for justice. Born in the mid-1862, Wells-Barnett grew with courage and determination to fight for the rights and justice of the African Americans in the United States (McMurry, p. 73). During this time in history, African Americans suffered various injustices in society ranging from discrimination to denial of universal human rights and segregation. Being born to a slave family did not deter Wells-Barnett from fighting for the rights of the African American community (Schechter, p. 80). With the enactment of the 13 th Amendment in the United States, Wells’ family used the opportunity to pursue education and business (Green, p.132). Nevertheless, Wells’ involvement was fueled by education through which she learned that the Blacks were entitled to equal rights as the Whites (McMurry, p. 78). Although Wells died at the age of 69, she can be described as an ardent and fearless suffragist, journalist, speaker, anti-lynching crusader, and women rights advocate (Green, p. 140). In the 1880s, Wells officially started her fight against racial and gender discrimination after an encounter with a conductor in one of the railroad’s transport facilities (Schechter, p. 89). Living in an era in which some of the slaves were free, it was illogic for the conductor to ask Wells to give up her seat and vacate the train because the class was meant for the whites. With the knowledge that the 13 th Amendment provided freedom to some slaves, I am convinced that it gave constitutional rights to the freed slaves to enjoy equal treatment and rights as the whites. On the fateful day, Wells purchased a first-class ticket and moved on to occupy the compartment, which was reserved for the whites (Li, Lec. A, 1:24). Her failure to vacate the seat prompted the conductor to drag her out of the train amidst jeers and bullying from the whites (McMurry, p. 126). With the political and constitutional development at that time, I do not expect such kind treatment from the whites. However, this reaction shows that the whites were yet to do away with gender and racial discrimination. Being legally equal through the