Mary Church Terrell

Born just two years before the end of the Civil War, Mary Church Terrell was the daughter of formerly enslaved people who became successful entrepreneurs. Her father, Robert Church Sr., was one of the first African American millionaires. This afforded young Mary an education that most Black women of her era could only dream of, including Oberlin College, where she earned both a bachelor's and master's degree. She was, to put it mildly, exceptionally qualified to speak on matters of injustice.

A co-founder of the NAACP and the National Association of Colored Women (NACW), Terrell spent her life fighting for racial equality and women's suffrage. She lectured, organized, and protested, often with a tenacity that would make lesser activists weep into their protest signs. She even managed to desegregate restaurants in Washington, D.C., a full century before some folks thought they'd finally gotten around to it.

While her commitment to justice was absolute, her connection to the Tribe was, shall we say, non-existent. There's not a whisper of a hint of a smidgen of Jewish ancestry, nor any indication she ever considered converting. Her legacy is firmly rooted in the struggle for African American rights and the advancement of women.

Yet, her fierce dedication to equality and her tireless work for civil rights do bring a certain kvell to the general human condition. One could argue that fighting for fundamental fairness, no matter your background, is inherently a mitzvah. Or at least, it’s a good look.