Mary Church Terrell

Mary Church Terrell

Born in 1863, she was one of the first African American women to earn a college degree. Throughout her life, she served her community through leadership positions and activism. Terrell grew close to Fredrick Douglas after she met him, and Booker T. Washington through her father. After getting married she thought about leaving activism, but Douglas convinced her that her talents were needed. In 1896, Terrell served as the first president of the National Association of Colored Women, and founded the National Association of College Women. She was the Principle of a Washington DC school, and through her achievements she was appointed to the District of Columbia Board of Education, and was the first black women to hold such a position. In 1909, Terrell was one of two women invited to attend the first NAACP meeting, becoming a founding member. Terrell was also involved in the War Camp Community Service group, which aided in issues that were important to African American servicemen who were a wounded veteran. Terrell was also a delegate for the International Peace Conference in England, actively fought for women’s suffrage, and was president of the Women’s Republican League. Although she had many achievements, and had such a great impact on society through her activism, Terrell identified as a writer using the pen name “Euphemia Kirk.”

The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, No. 41

J BHE Foundation, Inc

AUTUMN , 2003, pg. 1

Brooklyn Norton

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https://digitalgallery.bgsu.edu/student/items/show/10353