12. Mary Ann Shadd Cary
Mary Ann Shadd Cary was a pioneering publisher, educator, and activist who championed Black resettlement in Canada. As the first Black woman in North America to publish a newspaper, she used her platform to promote freedom, equality, and self-reliance for formerly enslaved people. Cary’s advocacy extended to education and legal rights, making her a vital force in building strong, empowered communities (National Women’s History Museum).
