George Washington Carver

Liberated from slavery when he was only a tyke, George Washington Carver slept in a barn to get an education. He was denied entrance into several colleges because he was African American but eventually graduated in botany from Iowa State Agricultural College. He was the first black student and, because of his brilliance, first black faculty.

The national monument

But he transferred to the Tuskegee Institute, to help other struggling African Americans, where he stayed for 47 years, developing a strong agricultural department. Seeing the soil depletion of cotton, he urged farmers to rotate crops and developed hundreds of uses for the peanut, which up until then was employed only to fatten pigs. (Thanks to Carver, we have peanut butter!)

The stamp honoring him

A devout Christian, he preached Christ as mediator of racial harmony and social equality. He was inducted into the Royal Society of Arts in England, one of only a few Americans to be bestowed that honor. He was consulted by three presidents and car-maker Henry Ford. In Diamond, Missouri, stands a monument in his honor.

He is an inspiration not only to African Americans, but to anyone who must overcome immense opposition to do

Being in his laboratory, what he loved most

good and attain heights. By patient hard work, achieve your God-given destiny. Don´t  be dismayed by setbacks.