(1875-1912)

Harriet Quimby was the first woman to ever hold a pilot’s license. On April 12, 1912, she became the first woman to fly solo across the English Channel.  It has been said that she was a woman ahead of her time, her parents’ farm in Michigan had failed, she supported the family.  On July 1, 1912, she was killed during an air show, when her plane malfunctioned and she was thrown out of the cockpit

 

(1958-)

Was born in Rochester, Michigan in 1958 to a large Italian family.  She attended the University of Michigan, studying dance.  She’s a very successful singer, actress, and children’s author; famous the world over. 

 

 

 

 

(1944-)

Was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1944.  Diana Ross was a founding member of the internationally acclaimed singing group, The Supremes in the 1960s.  After leaving the group in 1969, Ross became a solo artist and was as success as ever.  She also took up acting, and was nominated for Best Actress for her role in Lady Sings the Blues.  Over the course of her 40 years + as a performer, Diana Ross has garnered numerous awards, including Tonys, American Music Awards, & Golden Globes.  In 1988, she was inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

(1913-2006)

Born Leslie Lynch King Jr., and later took his stepfather’s name of Gerald R. Ford, President Ford was actually born in Omaha, Nebraska, but attended the University of Michigan and later elected  a representative to the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan, in 1949.  He served thirteen terms as a congressman!  When Vice President Agnew resigned, President Nixon chose Mr. Ford to be his new Vice President.  When President Nixon resigned, Gerald Ford became America’s 38th president. 

 

Was appointed the first female Attorney General of Michigan in 1998 and was later elected as the first female governor of Michigan.  She is originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and holds degrees from the University of California (Berkeley) and Harvard Law School.  

 

 

 

 

(1950-)

Was born in Saginaw, Michigan in 1950, he was born premature and received too much oxygen in his incubator—thus making him blind.  Mr. Wonder is a very talented musician, he plays the piano, harmonica, synthesizers,  and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. 

 

 

 

 

 

(1902-1974)

 

(1942-)

Was born in Louisville, Kentucky in 1942, as Cassius Clay, Jr.  Ali was a famous heavyweight boxer; the only man to ever have won the world heavyweight title three times.  In 1974, he earned a great deal of respect from Americans when he refused to be drafted into the Army for the war in Vietnam because of his Muslim beliefs.  His title of heavyweight champ was revoked and his boxing license was suspended; he appealed the decision with the Supreme Court and they reinstated his license.  In 2005, he was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.  Muhammad Ali now lives in Berrien Springs with his wife and family.     

 

(1953-)

Was born in Denver, Colorado in 1953, with the name of Tim Allen Dick.  He moved to Detroit with his mother and step-father after his biological father was killed in a car accident.  He graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in television-production and started doing stand-up comedy routines, mostly about men and their love of tools and hardware stores—thus the idea of his sitcom, Home Improvement, was born.  It was a very successful show.  Mr. Allen has also acted in several movies.