Elizabeth Jennings was an African American woman known for her significant role in the civil rights movement in the United States. Born in 1820 in New York City, she became the first African American to ride a streetcar in the city after a landmark incident in 1854, when she was forcibly removed from a car reserved for white passengers. This event highlighted the racial segregation prevalent at the time. Her courageous act led to a legal battle that resulted in a court ruling in her favor, affirming her right to ride the streetcar. This case contributed to the broader fight against racial discrimination and inspired future civil rights activists, including figures like Frederick Douglass and W.E.B. Du Bois.