Mary Church Terrell: Activist and Educator

Mary Church Terrell was a prominent African American civil rights activist, writer, and clubwoman. She is known for co-founding the National Association of Colored Women (NACW) and her unwavering advocacy for racial equality and social justice. She was a tireless voice against segregation and discrimination, using her platform to raise awareness and empower African American communities.

Mary Church Terrell's early life was marked by a unique experience as the daughter of a freed slave and a white owner. She attended a boarding school where she faced discrimination based on her racial identity, which had a profound impact on her life and shaped her path as a tireless advocate for racial equality.

Mary Church Terrell's father, a freed slave, rose to wealth by acquiring real estate and taverns in Memphis. He achieved success during the yellow fever outbreaks of the late 1870s by buying abandoned properties. Her mother also had a hair salon, an uncommon achievement for women at the time.

Despite hardship, Mary Church Terrell received a privileged education. Despite her parents' divorce, she attended private schools and went on to study at Oberlin College, becoming one of the first African American women to attend this prestigious institution.

Mary Church Terrell's life story serves as a compelling testament to the enduring power of perseverance, commitment, and an unwavering belief in equality. She faced adversity early in her life but rose to become a leading voice in the fight for civil rights, inspiring generations with her courage and dedication.

Born into a wealthy and influential Hispanic family in New Mexico.

She learned to ride horses, shoot a pistol, and manage the family ranch.

She was sent to a Catholic boarding school until the age of 13.

She enjoyed teaching and educating her siblings and others in her blended family.

She moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, a city known for its historical significance.

Lucy Burns was an American suffragist who fought for women's right to vote. She was born in 1879 and died in 1966.

Burns joined a protest outside the British Parliament in 1909 and was arrested along with Alice Paul. This marked her first arrest for activism.

Lucy was inspired by Emmeline Pankhurst's speech at a suffrage meeting in Oxford, England. Pankhurst was a British suffragist known for her more radical tactics.

Lucy Burns admired the boldness and determination of British suffragists. She participated in disruptive tactics, such as throwing ink bottles and breaking windows, in support of their cause.

Lucy Burns, known for her striking red hair and passionate blue eyes, once described herself and American suffragists as 'sleepy' compared to their more active British counterparts. This shows her awareness of the slower pace of the suffrage movement in the United States.