Celebrating Black History Month
Celebrating the Legacy of Black Women in Child Care
Celebrating the Legacy of Black Women in Child Care
This Black History Month, TFC wants to celebrate the significant contributions and history of the role Black women have played in child care. Black women are the very backbone of the child care sector. However, their efforts and impact have always gone underappreciated. For centuries Black women have played a powerful role in nurturing and caring for children, all while facing adversity and systematic oppression.
Advocacy and Influence: Black Women Paving the Way in Child Care
Throughout history Black women have been forced to care for the children of others while simultaneously caring for their own. These women were the unsung heroes in generations of children and families. Even in harsh conditions they still ensured both the children in their care, as well as their own children, were nurtured, educated, and successful. Because of this, they were the ones who laid the foundation for the importance and devotion of child care that we currently see today.
In more recent history, Black women were at the forefront of advocacy and awareness of access to high-quality child care for all children. Not only were they strong advocates, but these women were also some of the most influential voices in developing the child care we know today. They were an integral part of shaping the policies and practices that bettered the field.
Today’s Legacy: Black Women’s Crucial Role in Shaping Child Care
Black women continue to play a pivotal role in shaping child care and education. Today, they make up approximately 17% of the child care workforce in the United States. Regardless of their specific roles, their contributions are evident in generations of nurtured, protected, and well-educated children.
As we celebrate Black History Month this year, let us not forget the amazing pioneers that Black women have been throughout the history of child care. The legacy of Black women in the child care sector is one of advocacy, resiliency, and dedication. Their powerful impact on child care ensures that all children can receive high-quality child care.