She was of African descent who distinguished herself in organized crime and as a businessman in New York.

She became a local legend after being active for black rights.

She was born in 1897 in Guadeloupe and grew up with only her mother. She worked hard to be able to feed and send her daughter to school. When Stephanie turned 15, her mother became seriously ill and died. So she was forced to leave school and in 1912 decided to move to New York.

There she fell in love with a swindler who tried to push her into prostitution. She finally killed him.

She then had a relationship with a drug dealer with whom she began to cooperate. She soon decided to hire people and go into business on her own. She also started getting involved in illegal gambling.

At the same time, she made donations so that the black community could upgrade and increase its rights.

She eventually retired from crime altogether and became a successful businesswoman and political consultant.

She passed away quietly in 1969.

Movies about her life, The Cotton Club and Hoodlum.

Her nicknames, Queenie and Madame Queen.

[Source: en.wikipedia.org]