Educators-Activists-Scholars

Source: Issue Black-Commentary on Society

National Women’s History Month began as the National Women’s History Week, March 8, 1980 to celebrate the accomplishments and diversity of women. In 1987 a week was expanded to a month. The theme for this month is “Writing Women Back into History”. The accomplishments of women are seldom recognized nor written in the history books. Therefore, this month is set aside to recognize and celebrate women’s accomplishments such as Anna J. H. Cooper, Mary C. Terrell and Ida A. Gibbs.

During this Women’s History Month let us celebrate one of those women who was recently recognized, Anna Julia Cooper.  Her portrait is now featured on the forty-four cent first class commemorative stamp for 2009.

Anna Julia Haywood Cooper was born to a slave mother in 1858 or 1859 in Raleigh, NC. She rose above bondage and became an activist, author, an educator and the fourth African American woman to receive a PhD (in 1925 from the Sorbonne at age 66). During her time she associated with other great women educators, sociologists and activists, including Mary Church Terrell and Ida A. Gibbs

Dr. Cooper died in 1964 at the age of 105. A comprehensive,  biographical historyof  her  accomplishments can be read here.

Which women are you writing back into history?

Related article: Mary Mills, CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife