Mary Church Terrell

Definition

Mary Church Terrell was an African American educator, suffragist, and civil rights activist who played a vital role in advocating for social justice and equality in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She was one of the first African American women to earn a college degree and co-founded the National Association of Colored Women (NACW), which focused on issues affecting black women and their communities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Mary Church Terrell was born into a free African American family in Tennessee in 1863 and later became one of the first African American women to graduate from Oberlin College.
2. She was a prominent speaker who advocated for the rights of African Americans and women, often emphasizing the importance of education as a tool for empowerment.
3. Terrell used her platform to address issues like racial discrimination, segregation, and gender inequality, making her a pioneer in linking civil rights with women's rights.
4. She was appointed to the Washington, D.C. Board of Education in 1906, becoming one of the first African American women to serve on such a board, where she fought for equal educational opportunities.
5. Terrell played a crucial role in the anti-lynching movement and worked closely with leaders like Ida B. Wells to raise awareness about the violence against black individuals.

Review Questions

• How did Mary Church Terrell's background influence her advocacy for civil rights and women's suffrage?
  • Mary Church Terrell's upbringing as a free woman in a well-to-do African American family shaped her worldview and commitment to education. Her experiences of racial and gender discrimination motivated her to fight for equality. As an educated woman, she recognized the importance of empowering others through education and became a powerful voice in both the civil rights movement and the women's suffrage movement.
• Discuss the significance of the National Association of Colored Women (NACW) in relation to Mary Church Terrell's activism.
  • The NACW was significant as it united African American women to advocate for their rights and address societal issues affecting their communities. Mary Church Terrell's involvement helped elevate the organization's goals, focusing on education, health, and civil rights. The NACW provided a platform for black women to engage in activism while highlighting intersectional challenges they faced compared to their white counterparts.
• Evaluate Mary Church Terrell's contributions to both the civil rights movement and the suffrage movement, highlighting their interconnectedness.
  • Mary Church Terrell's contributions to both movements were significant as she emphasized that racial and gender equality were intertwined. She fought tirelessly for women's right to vote while also advocating against racial discrimination. By linking these two struggles, Terrell illustrated how the fight for women's suffrage could not be separated from the fight for civil rights, influencing future generations of activists who recognized the importance of intersectionality in social justice.

Related terms

National Association of Colored Women (NACW): An organization founded in 1896 to address social issues affecting African American women, focusing on civil rights, education, and welfare.

Suffrage Movement:

A movement aimed at securing women's right to vote, which included contributions from women of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, highlighting intersectional struggles.

Civil Rights Movement: A decades-long struggle for social justice and equality for African Americans, particularly during the 1950s and 1960s, involving various forms of activism and organizing.