Sarah Boone was a former slave who, in April 1892, patented a new-and-improved version of the ironing board that made it way easier to smooth out women's garments. The original ironing board was fine for straight sleeves and pant legs, but it wasn't very effective for pressing blouses and dresses (and guess who was wearing most of the blouses and dresses?!).
But then boom, Sarah Boone steps in the room! Her board was more narrow, curved, and also reversible, making it "particularly adapted to be used in ironing the sleeves and bodies of ladies' garments." Good looking out, sis.