6. DE-INVISIBILIZING AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN IN THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON, D.C.Auteur: Docteur Aouia BADJIOU & Docteur Michel PODA, Maître-Assistant & Kodjo AFAGLA, Professeur Titulaire

The March on Washington was the culmination of decades of mobilization and opposition against racism and discrimination. On August 28, 1963, African American men and women showed their resolve to gain both civil rights and equal opportunities in closed ranks. However, while official male leaders were lauded and greeted with recognition, the contributions of African American women, the real organizers behind this historical March, are yet to be acknowledged. For the success of this event, black women – Anna Arnold Hedgeman, Dorothy Irene Height, Maida Springer, Timuel Black and several others – were bridge-builders across organizations and leaders, mobilized marchers, raised funds, and fed the marchers