Women’s History Month provides an opportunity to value the courage to achieve, overcome, and work for accomplishment. Black women in Chattanooga have broken barriers in medicine, politics, military service, education, and the arts. Their achievements have been part of shaping the Scenic City, advancing the heritage of the African American community for generations, and creating many of today’s advancements.
One of the earliest pioneers was Dr. Emma Rochelle Wheeler, a physician who became Chattanooga’s first African American female doctor in the early twentieth century. After graduating from Meharry Medical College in 1905, Wheeler and her husband opened Walden Hospital (at 8th and Douglas Streets) in 1915 to provide care for Black patients who were often excluded from white hospitals. The hospital included surgery wards, maternity facilities, and a nursing school, becoming a critical center for healthcare and professional training within the African American community. Dr. Wheeler improved access to medical care, helped cultivate a new generation of Black nurses and physicians, and established prominence in Chattanooga.
Mary Walker moved to Chattanooga in 1917 and is a powerful symbol of perseverance and the value of education as a lifelong learner. Born into slavery in 1848, Walker spent most of her life working and raising her family without the opportunity to attend school. Ms. Walker enrolled in literacy classes at the age of 116 to achieve her lifelong goal–to read the Bible for herself. Walker’s accomplishment inspired many, gaining national recognition as the oldest student by the US Department of Education. Her story models the idea that the pursuit of knowledge is never limited by age and that we should never quit.
In the world of music and culture, Bessie Smith stands as one of Chattanooga’s most famous daughters. The Empress of the Blues was born in the city’s Blue Goose Hollow neighborhood. During the 1920s Ms. Smith became one of the highest-paid Black entertainers in the world, recording songs such as “Backwater Blues” and influencing generations of musicians. Today, the Bessie Smith Cultural Center preserves her legacy but also serves as a unifying hub that serves all, including the African American community.
Dr. Tommie Brown–a social worker, educator, and civic leader who later became the first Black woman elected to represent Chattanooga’s 28th District in the Tennessee House of Representatives–worked behind the scenes to support the 1960 student sit-ins led by Howard High School students protesting segregated lunch counters. Dr. Brown assisted students needing legal and social support during these peaceful protests, demonstrating both courage and strategic leadership during the civil rights era.
Military trailblazer Mildred C. Kelly was born in Chattanooga in 1928. Kelly rose through a distinguished 26-year military career. She became the first African American woman in the United States Army to achieve the rank of sergeant major and command sergeant major, breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated institution.
Many more have achieved……. AND CONTINUE TO ACHIEVE! Many more deserve their names spoken and honored. Find ways to honor them by living a life they have inspired.
(Editor’s Note: Seeking Community Input: Help the Chattanooga News Chronicle to recognize and celebrate Black women throughout 2026! We want to highlight more women for their contributions, sacrifice, and service to others. Send information of your honoree that includes a photograph and description, 300 words or less, of their service or achievement to newschronicleinc@gmail.com. Also include your contact information, telephone number and email address. Please contact me at 423/308-9969 for any questions or suggestions.)