Vanguard: How Black Women Broke Barriers, Won the Vote, and Insisted on Equality for All

• By Martha S. Jones
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Features a bookplate signed by Martha S. Jones

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• In Vanguard, historian Martha S. Jones rewrites the history of American democracy by recounting the political lives of African American women in the United States. Drawing on deep archival research, Jones reveals a powerful tradition of political activism that challenged exclusion and expanded the meaning of citizenship. Meticulously researched and compellingly written, the book provides a more comprehensive and nuanced picture of the struggle for equality. An essential addition for readers interested in American history, civil rights, and the ongoing pursuit of democracy.
  

African American history is deeply woven into the fabric of the United States, from the struggles of slavery and segregation to the ongoing fight for civil rights and justice.

The National Archives preserves and protects a wealth of African American history records, including records from the slave trade, civil rights cases, photographs, military records, and the writings of activists, artists, and everyday citizens. These records document the lives, contributions, and resilience of Black Americans across centuries.

On the African American Research page, the National Archives provides online access to records documenting African American history in collections that focus on the Black Power movement, voting rights, mass migrations, and more. Featured records include the March on Washington and President Barack Obama.