Attractive, charming Mary Church Terrell, an African American, was recognized as a leading social activist and suffragist in the late 1800s and early 1900s. She earned a bachelor's degree in the Classics in 1884 from Oberlin College in Ohio. She earned her master's degree in education four years later, one of the first two Black women to earn a M.A. degree. She taught school and became a school superintendent. She left that job to study in Europe for two years, becoming fluent in French, German and Italian. Mary returned to America as a journalist, becoming socially active, focusing on the empowerment of Black women. She met Frederick Douglass, a leading Black civil rights activist and worked with him on several campaigns, including anti-lynching.
Her husband, attorney Robert Terrell, was Washington, D.C.'s first Black municipal judge. The couple lived in Washington and Mary became the first president of the National Association of Colored Women. Among the organization's accomplishments were the creation of day nurseries and kindergartens for Black children. Mary also founded the National Association of College Women, which later was renamed the National Association of University Women. As an Oberlin student, Mary was active in suffrage activities. Later she supported the National American Woman Suffrage Association and women having the right to vote. She was a friend of Susan B. Anthony, president of the Association, and developed a friendship with Carrie Chapman Catt, which continued for decades. Mary spoke at some of the Suffrage Association meetings. Most members were very impressed with her talks. However, some members were reluctant to include African American women in their activities and she spoke out about that. Today, the Terrell home in Washington, D.C. has been named a National Historic Landmark.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
November 2020
Categories |