Because of Her Story: Activist and Suffragist Mary Church Terrell
Introduction
Mary Eliza Church Terrell was a prominent educator and speaker who actively campaigned for women's suffrage and African American social equality.
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1863, she was a child of prosperous African American parents, both former slaves.
Her father's success in business made him one of the South’s first African American millionaires.
Education and Early Career
Attended Antioch preparatory school, later Oberlin College, earning both bachelor's and master's degrees.
Excelled academically during a period when women achieving academically was rare.
Taught at Wilberforce College and later in Washington, D.C., where she met and married lawyer Robert Terrell.
Activism and Social Justice
In 1892, the lynching of her friend Thomas Moss mobilized her activism.
Collaborated with Ida B. Wells on anti-lynching campaigns.
Protested against President Theodore Roosevelt’s discharge of African American soldiers.
Co-founded the National Association of Colored Women (NACW) in 1896, inspired by her belief in racial uplift.
Became a charter member of the NAACP in 1909.
Contributions to Women's Suffrage
Active in the women's suffrage movement, working with NAWSA and alongside Susan B. Anthony.
Spoke on race and gender discrimination in multiple languages at the International Congress of Women in 1904.
Her efforts in advocating for women’s rights continued throughout her life.
Legacy and Later Life
Continued her activism into her 80s, including efforts to desegregate Washington D.C. restaurants.
Passed away shortly after the Brown v. Board of Education ruling in 1954.
Her legacy continues to inspire civil rights leaders and activists.
Impact and Recognition
Advocated for dignity and respect for African Americans and women.
Her work contributed to the widening of opportunities for black women and the broader society.
Visual and Material Culture
Various personal artifacts and awards from her life are preserved at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Conclusion
Mary Church Terrell's lifelong commitment to education and social justice continues to resonate today, serving as a beacon for contemporary and future activists focusing on racial and gender equality.