On August 24, 1950, Edith Sampson made history by becoming the first Black person appointed as a U.S. delegate to the United Nations. A Chicago attorney and social worker, Sampson’s appointment marked a significant milestone in American diplomacy and civil rights during a time when racial segregation and discrimination were still deeply entrenched in society.

At the United Nations, Sampson represented the United States during the early years of the Cold War, a period characterized by intense political rivalry and the struggle for global influence between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. Her role was not only groundbreaking in terms of race and gender but also crucial in shaping U.S. international relations in a complex geopolitical landscape.

Beyond her diplomatic achievements, Edith Samps

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