“The thing that I have done throughout my life is to do the best job that I can and to be me.” 

- Mae Jemison

Each item from 86 & Norman is named after an esteemed African American woman. Did you recognize any of them while shopping?

• The Dawes Double Zip Clutch is named after Dominique Dawes, the first African American woman to win an individual Olympic medal in artistic gymnastics and the first black person to win an Olympic gold medal in gymnastics. 
• The Brooks Wristlet is named after Gwendolyn Brooks, the first African American to when the Pulitzer Prize. Hers was for poetry.
• The Walker Wallet is named after Madam CJ Walker, who was the wealthiest African American business woman and self-made American during her time. Her work includes hair care, cosmetics, philanthropy and activism.
• The Jemison Fold Over Clutch is named after Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to travel into space aboard the space shuttle Endeavor in 1992. She’s also a physician and engineer.

Fun Fact: I wanted to be an astronaut for the longest and will still take up a chance to go to space. I went to see the Endeavor Space Shuttle in California last year. Bucket list item checked!

And there you have it!

Cheryl