Mary Dixon Kies

March 21, 1752 – 1837

She was a black American Woman who Invented a new technique of weaving straw with silk and thread to make hats was patented on May 5, 1809, and was an American inventor. On May 5, 1809, and was signed by President James Madison.

Some sources say she was the first woman to receive a US Patent, however, other sources cite Hannah Slater in 1793, or Hazel Irwin, in 1808, as the first but as noted in the list is factual .