Happy Black HERstory Month: 4 Essentials We Wouldn’t Have Without Black Women

By Kimberly Seals

Have you thanked a Black woman yet today? You don’t have to wait until February to see that Black women make the world go round. That’s why Elle Vie is celebrating this Black Herstory month with a shea tin collection featuring iconic Black women [check it out here!] But without further ado, here are 4 more iconic Black women who have made the world a better place with their contributions.

1. A Warm Home:

Alice H. Parker

It’s the coldest part of the year for a lot of us, and if you currently have your thermostat set to the perfect cozy temperature, you have a Black woman to thank for that.

Alice H. Parker created the first ever natural gas-fueled furnace which made it possible to heat multiple areas at once. Her invention is the basis of central heating systems that we have today.

2. Your Favorite Memes:

Lisa Gelobter

If a picture is worth a thousand words a gif is probably worth a million. Lisa Gelobter is the computer scientist who developed the animation that makes GIFs possible.

As if that wasn’t enough of a contribution to the world of media, she also created the video technology behind Hulu and other streaming services.

3. Smoothies: 

Madeline Turner

Who doesn't love a good smoothie? With the popularity of juice bars and fun recipes, it’s hard to imagine a world where a blender or juicer isn’t a common appliance. And thanks to a Black woman, we don’t have to.

Madeline Turner had had enough of pressing juices by hand, and in 1916 she patented the earliest iteration of a fruit juicer.

4. Elle Vie Body:

Lavida Samuel

Just in case you haven’t been paying attention, Elle Vie is proudly Black and woman owned! Yup, the world would be a much ashier place without our founder, Lavida Samuel.

Black History isn’t just something in the past. Our history is still alive and constantly transforming as we create Black history every day. Be sure to show some love to the iconic and history making Black women in your life.