Mary Church Terrell: Activism and Education

Mary Church Terrell was born in 1863 into a privileged background, her parents escaping slavery and achieving financial success. She received a top-notch education, attended private schools and graduated from Oberlin College, one of the first African American women to do so.

Mary Church Terrell's childhood was marked by an incident at boarding school where she was ridiculed for her skin color. This experience ignited her lifelong commitment to fighting racial injustice and advocating for equality.

Mary Church Terrell's father, a former slave, amassed wealth in Memphis through savvy real estate purchases, particularly profiting from properties abandoned during yellow fever outbreaks.

Mary Church Terrell's mother ran a hair salon, a rare and successful business for a woman of any race during that era, highlighting her independent spirit and entrepreneurial skills.

Mary Church Terrell's marriage to Robert Terrell, a Harvard-educated lawyer and later the first African American municipal court judge, provided a collaborative platform for their shared commitment to social justice.

Mary Church Terrell's life exemplified the concept of 'Lifting as We Climb', a philosophy emphasizing the collective responsibility of African Americans to uplift their community through education and hard work, a direct response to the pervasive racism and inequality they faced.

Mary Church Terrell's experiences, from her privileged upbringing to facing racial prejudice, fueled her passion for social justice, evident in her dedication to education and her fight for racial equality throughout her life.

Mary Church Terrell was a strong advocate for women's suffrage and believed in the importance of fighting for equal rights for all women, regardless of race.

Mary Church Terrell faced significant prejudice in the South, experiencing segregation and discrimination, yet she persevered in her mission to advocate for equality.

Even in the North, Mary Church Terrell encountered prejudice. In one instance, lawyers prevented a meeting with white suffragists to hear her speak, highlighting the segregation of the movement.

Mary Church Terrell, a leader within the African American women's suffrage movement, was often excluded from white suffragist groups. She worked to bridge this division, bringing Black women into the broader fight for suffrage.

Mary Church Terrell believed that African Americans had a collective responsibility to uplift their community through education and hard work, a philosophy she termed 'lifting as we climb'.

Mary Church Terrell's commitment to improving the lives of her people extended beyond suffrage. In her 80s, she led protests against segregated department stores, showcasing her continued fight for civil rights.

Mary Church Terrell was a prominent figure in various organizations dedicated to improving education, employment, healthcare, and living conditions for African Americans.

The belief that change happens gradually as society progresses, leaving behind outdated customs.

A powerful phrase about the importance of equal opportunity, emphasizing the need for fair treatment regardless of background.

The idea that the fight for suffrage should not be limited to a select group but should be inclusive, welcoming diverse voices.

Harriot Stanton Blatch saw working women as crucial to the future of the suffrage movement, recognizing their understanding of labor issues.

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire brought a tragic awareness to the need for labor protections and the importance of the women's vote in reforming such practices.

The idea that women's participation in the workforce meant they needed the right to vote to protect their rights and interests.

Mary Church Terrell, Mary Ann Shadd Cary, and Ida B. Wells-Barnett were all influential figures in the suffrage movement who advocated for the rights of African American women.