African American ‘Stamp of Honor’

The U.S. Postal Service began celebrating the contributions and achievements of African Americans on postage stamps in 1940. Since then, many innovators have been honored through the Black Heritage commemorative series and the Forever stamp. Here are just a few distinguished honorees who have received a "Stamp of Honor."

Lena Horne (2018)

She dedicated her life to fighting for gender equality and civil rights. Dorothy Height (1912-2010) was an educator and women’s rights activist who also fought against illiteracy, unemployment and voter awareness. She was president of the National Council of Negro Women for 40 years and led work on racial justice issues at the YWCA in a 40-year career with that organization. Height was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1994 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2004.

Dorothy Height (2017)

The best-selling author, poet and exquisite orator (1928-2014) became the 38th African American in the Black Heritage stamp series of the U.S. Postal Service. There is controversy over the origin of the quote, but the image is from a portrait by Ross Rossin, on display at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.

Ray Charles (2013)

The orator, author, social reformer and statesman (1818-1895) was the only African American honored by the postal service in its Prominent Americans series, produced from 1965 to 1978. A second Douglass stamp followed in 1995 in the 20-stamp Civil War Classic Collection.  

Maya Angelou (2015)

For the first stamp commemorating the civil rights leader (1929-1968), African American illustrator Jerry Pinkney depicted King behind ranks of protesters. A second King stamp (1999) shows him at the Lincoln Memorial with the Reflecting Pool in the background, commemorating his “I Have a Dream” speech” in 1963.  

Booker T. Washington (1940)

A ceremony marking the stamp’s release was held at the former site of the Maple Leaf Club in Sedalia, Mo., where the “King of Ragtime” (circa 1867-1917) frequently performed.  

Frederick Douglass (1967)

Coleman (1892-1926) wanted to learn to fly but couldn’t find anyone to teach her in the United States. So she went to France to earn her pilot’s license, returned home as the first female African American pilot and quickly established herself as an exciting barnstormer.

Harriet Tubman (1978)

The black-and-white photograph of the prolific poet, novelist, activist, playwright and columnist (1902-1967) was taken in 1946 by the groundbreaking photographer and his one-time roommate, Henri Cartier-Bresson.  

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1979)

Marshall (1908-1993) and his legal team won the landmark 1954 case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (Kan.), which declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional. He became the first African American justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, where he served for 24 years.

Jackie Robinson (1982)

“The First Lady of Song.” “The Queen of Jazz.” “Lady Ella.” During her long career, Fitzgerald (1917-1996) won 14 Grammies, collaborated with other greats such as Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong, and starred in films and on television. Before Fitzgerald, the legendary W.C. Handy, in 1969, became the first jazz musician featured on a U.S. stamp.

Scott Joplin (1983)

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Mary McLeod Bethune (1985)

The U.S. Postal Service began celebrating the contributions and achievements of African Americans on postage stamps in 1940. Since then, many innovators have been honored through the Black Heritage commemorative series and the Forever stamp. Here are just a few distinguished honorees who have received a "Stamp of Honor."

Bessie Coleman (1995)

The U.S. Postal Service began celebrating the contributions and achievements of African Americans on postage stamps in 1940. Since then, many innovators have been honored through the Black Heritage commemorative series and the Forever stamp. Here are just a few distinguished honorees who have received a "Stamp of Honor."

Madam C.J. Walker (1998)

The U.S. Postal Service began celebrating the contributions and achievements of African Americans on postage stamps in 1940. Since then, many innovators have been honored through the Black Heritage commemorative series and the Forever stamp. Here are just a few distinguished honorees who have received a "Stamp of Honor."

Langston Hughes (2002)

The U.S. Postal Service began celebrating the contributions and achievements of African Americans on postage stamps in 1940. Since then, many innovators have been honored through the Black Heritage commemorative series and the Forever stamp. Here are just a few distinguished honorees who have received a "Stamp of Honor."

AARP Offer: Remember the past, help shape the future

The U.S. Postal Service began celebrating the contributions and achievements of African Americans on postage stamps in 1940. Since then, many innovators have been honored through the Black Heritage commemorative series and the Forever stamp. Here are just a few distinguished honorees who have received a "Stamp of Honor."

Thurgood Marshall (2003)

The U.S. Postal Service began celebrating the contributions and achievements of African Americans on postage stamps in 1940. Since then, many innovators have been honored through the Black Heritage commemorative series and the Forever stamp. Here are just a few distinguished honorees who have received a "Stamp of Honor."

Paul Robeson (2004)

The U.S. Postal Service began celebrating the contributions and achievements of African Americans on postage stamps in 1940. Since then, many innovators have been honored through the Black Heritage commemorative series and the Forever stamp. Here are just a few distinguished honorees who have received a "Stamp of Honor."

Ella Fitzgerald (2007)

The U.S. Postal Service began celebrating the contributions and achievements of African Americans on postage stamps in 1940. Since then, many innovators have been honored through the Black Heritage commemorative series and the Forever stamp. Here are just a few distinguished honorees who have received a "Stamp of Honor."

Althea Gibson (2013)

The U.S. Postal Service began celebrating the contributions and achievements of African Americans on postage stamps in 1940. Since then, many innovators have been honored through the Black Heritage commemorative series and the Forever stamp. Here are just a few distinguished honorees who have received a "Stamp of Honor."

Shirley Chisholm (2014)

The U.S. Postal Service began celebrating the contributions and achievements of African Americans on postage stamps in 1940. Since then, many innovators have been honored through the Black Heritage commemorative series and the Forever stamp. Here are just a few distinguished honorees who have received a "Stamp of Honor."

Also of Interest

The U.S. Postal Service began celebrating the contributions and achievements of African Americans on postage stamps in 1940. Since then, many innovators have been honored through the Black Heritage commemorative series and the Forever stamp. Here are just a few distinguished honorees who have received a "Stamp of Honor."