#ChoosetoChallenge: It’s the Women’s Month in the King Community!

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Sonia Pierre (Solange Pierre) Dominico-Haitian Activist

Born: 4 July, 1963 Died: 4 December, 2011

Solange Pierre was a Dominico-Haitian activist who fought against anti-Haitian discrimination and for the rights of Dominicans of Haitian descent. She began this work at the age of 13 through direct actions, legal battles and her work as the founder and director of MUDHA (Movement for Dominican Women of Haitian Descent). She would later go on to win the RFK Human Rights Award for her activism including her fight to get birth certificates for Dominicans of Haitian descent on the 17th of November, 2006.

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ANDREA EVANGELINA RODRIGUEZ PEROZO, MD 

Doctor, Teacher, Activist (Afro-Dominican) 

"Dr. Andrea Evangelina Rodriguez Perozo became the first woman to receive a medical degree in the Dominican Republic after graduating from the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo in 1911. In 1920, she pursued specialization in obstetrics and gynecology in Paris. Upon her return to the Dominican Republic, she dedicated her career to giving medical attention to poor communities in the south of the country. [She protested] against the human rights crimes committed under Dictator Rafael Trujillo’s regime." 

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MONICA CARILLO 

Renaissance Woman (Afro-Peruvian) 

"Monica Carillo is an Afro-Peruvian Hip-Hop activist, writer, poet, singer, musician, community leader, journalist, human rights advocate, feminist and educator, working to empower her community, especially working with younger generations of Peruvian young people that live under poverty. Carrillo, who goes by the name Oru, creates music that mixes poetry, afro-beat, soul, hip-hop and Afro Peruvian music to illuminate the contributions made by those of African descent living in Peru, to bring attention to the ongoing effects of racism and sexism and as a form of self expression." 

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ZULIA MENA 

Activist & Politician (Afro-Colombian) 

"Zulia Mena has been active in the struggle for Afro-Colombian and women's rights in Colombia for nearly her entire life. Mena came to the forefront of the Afro-Colombian community through her role in the development of new legislation on Afro-Colombian rights after the ratification of Colombia's new constitution in 1991. Subsequently, she was elected to Congress in 1994, serving four years as Colombia's first ever Afro-Colombian congresswoman." 

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LAUREN VELEZ 

Actress (Afro-Puerto Rican) 

"Lauren Velez is an American actress and the twin sister of actress Loraine Vélez. Her most notable roles are as María LaGuerta on Dexter, Detective Nina Moreno on Fox's New York Undercover, Dr. Gloria Nathan on HBO's prison drama, Oz, and Elena on ABC's comedy-drama, Ugly Betty. She is slated to co-produce and play the lead in 'They Call me La Lupe,' a biopic about the life of the Cuban singer Victoria Yoli Raymond a. k. a. La Lupe."

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TEENA MARIE

Mary Christine Brockert, known professionally as Teena Marie, was an American singer-songwriter, musician, composer, arranger, and producer.

Born: March 5, 1956, Santa Monica, CA

Died: December 26, 2010, Pasadena, CA

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Aaliyah: R&B

Aaliyah Dana Haughton was an American singer, actress, and model. She has been credited for helping to redefine contemporary R&B, pop and hip hop, earning her the nicknames the "Princess of R&B" and "Queen of Urban Pop".

Born: January 16, 1979, Brooklyn, New York, NY

Died: August 25, 2001, Marsh Harbour, The Bahamas

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Donna Summer - American singer-songwriter

LaDonna Adrian Gaines, known professionally as Donna Summer, was an American singer, songwriter and actress. She gained prominence during the disco era of the 1970s and became known as the "Queen of Disco", while her music gained a global following.

Born: December 31, 1948, Boston, MA

Died: May 17, 2012, Naples, FL

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Karen Carpenter

Karen Anne Carpenter (March 2, 1950 – February 4, 1983) was an American singer and drummer who, along with her elder brother Richard, was part of the duo the Carpenters. She was praised for her three-octave contralto vocal range and drumming abilities.

Born: March 2, 1950, New Haven, CT

Died: February 4, 1983, Downey, CA

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Fanny Ben Ami

It was 1943 during World War II when 13-year-old Fanny Ben-Ami led a group of Jewish children through Nazi-occupied France. Without any adults, their goal was to reach Switzerland, where they hoped to find sanctuary and survive the war.