African American females are unique human beings. Like other women, they are burdened with the problems of being women in a male-dominated society that does not fully value the feminine perspective. Unlike other women, they are also faced with issues resulting from long-standing negative, stereotypical images. Their true contribution to the building of modern day society, despite the achievements of African American women in of this country continues to be ignored and, therefore, devalued "in the past and in recent years. Since the begging of "American History-, Black women have been the backbone of their homes, communities, and the development of this country. .
The first African American Woman I want to discuss is Phillis Wheatley born in Gambia, Africa in 1753. Phillis Wheatley was a slave child of seven or eight and sold to John and Susanna Wheatley in Boston on July 11, 1761. Her first name was derived from the ship that carried her to America, The Phillis. During her life, while it was not common for American women to be published-- it was especially uncommon for children of slaves to be educated at all. Her gift of writing poetry was encouraged by her owners and their daughter, Mary; they taught Phillis to read and write, with her first poem being published at the age of twelve, "On Messrs. Hussey and Coffin." The countess of Huntingdon, Selina Hastings, was a friend of the Wheatley's who greatly encouraged and financed the publication of her book of poetry, Poems. Obour Tanner, a former slave who made the journey through the middle passage with Phillis also was one of the chief influences and supporters of Phillis' craft. She was especially fond of writing in the elegiac poetry style, perhaps mirroring the genre of oration taught to her through the women in her African American tribal group. Her elegy on a popular evangelical Methodist minister, George Whitefield, brought her instant success upon his death.
