Today In Black History: Megan Piphus Peace
The first African American female "Muppeteer" on Sesame Street
Issue #792 Today In Black History, Wednesday, January 22, 2025
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Sidebar: I usually schedule my “Today In Black History” (TIBH) posts a few weeks in advance. Now, in today’s political reality, I think that it is prescient that today’s scheduled TIBH post is about a person whose job is to dangle puppets on a string…many of today’s Republican party members, including the convicted felon who is currently occupying the White House, are also puppets on a string.
Megan Piphus Peace was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her journey into puppetry began when she discovered ventriloquism at just ten years old. She honed her skills and quickly made a name for herself, performing at various regional events and showcases. Her early success in ventriloquism competitions laid the foundation for her future career.
Megan's academic journey was as impressive as her artistic endeavors. She attended Vanderbilt University, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Economics and her Master's degree in Finance. Even while pursuing her studies, Megan's commitment to her passion never waned.
Megan Piphus Peace made history by becoming the first African American female puppeteer on the iconic children’s television show, "Sesame Street." Her groundbreaking role on the show has inspired countless young viewers with her talent and creativity. Through her puppeteering, Megan has brought to life characters that resonate with children, fostering an educational and inclusive environment.
Today, Megan Piphus Peace is also celebrated for advocating for diversity and inclusion within the arts. She actively encourages young individuals, especially those from underrepresented communities, to explore puppetry and the performing arts. Her workshops and public speaking engagements are platforms where she shares her knowledge and experiences, aiming to inspire the next generation of artists.
Megan's influence extends beyond her television presence. She utilizes social media and digital platforms to connect with a broader audience, providing educational content and insights into puppetry. Through these efforts, she continues to break down barriers and expand the reach of her message. Her work on "Sesame Street" remains a beacon of hope and inspiration, illustrating the vital role of diverse voices in shaping our cultural landscape.
Today In Black History
In 1949, Dr. James Gladden became the first African American to be certified in orthopedic surgery.
In 1964, Kenneth. Kaunda became the first President of Northern Rhodesia (present-day Zambia).
In 1965, the U.S. Office of Education announced that 199 Southern colleges had agreed to comply with the 1964 Civil Rights Act to receive federal funding.
In 2021, former Four Star General Lloyd Austin was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Defense Secretary (SecDef) and the first Black head of the Pentagon.
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Thanks so much for this!! I will repost it on my social media. And send it to a coworker/friend who is impacted by one of these many executive orders. I was actually just watching the YouTube video memorializing Jim Henson's life and work, repeatedly earlier this week, and posting about it and him on Substack, to get me through a lot of very difficult feelings and emotions. Jim Henson is one of my biggest heroes of creativity and proponents of childhood literacy, diversity, female empowerment, agents of tolerance, and so much else; and a fellow Marylander (like me) as well. I'm on Bluesky as well, as www.storiesofresistance.org, please look me up, and check out my blog, https://storiesofresistance.org, if you get the chance. You'll find what I think are some pretty awesome (and often rather badass) stories of resistance & resilience there. Feel free to contact me too, I'd love to hear from you! I love puppeteers and stories about them, as well as learning about all kinds of creative people and projects. And I'm a huge feminist and proponent of diversity, equality and justice, as well, and LOVE hearing stories about amazing women who've accomplished incredible, pioneering things, especially in service of justice, democracy, and saving and helping others.
Hi—I was surprised by your naming Megan Peace as the first Black female actor on Sesame Street, as I used to watch that show all the time with my very young kids in the late 1970s & early 1980s, and I distinctly remember a Black woman who played a character named Susan. So I looked it up and discovered that yes, Susan Robinson was a character on Sesame Street played (from 1969 to 2016 according to Wikipedia) by Loretta Mae Long. Loretta Long earned a PhD and had a quite a rich career!