Mary Church Terrell

Hello! My name is Mary Church Terrell, and I'd like to tell you my story. I was born on September 23rd, 1863, in Memphis, Tennessee. My parents, Robert and Louisa, had been born into slavery, but by the time I came along, they were free and had become successful business owners. Because of their hard work, they wanted to give me the best education possible. They knew that in the 1860s, opportunities for African American children, especially girls, were very limited. So, when I was just a young girl, they sent me north to Ohio to attend a special school. It was difficult to be away from my family, but I loved learning more than anything. I read every book I could get my hands on and promised myself I would use my education to make a difference in the world.

I continued my studies at Oberlin College, which was one of the very first colleges in the country to welcome both women and African American students. Back then, women were usually encouraged to take easier courses, but I insisted on enrolling in the 'gentleman's course'—the classical studies program with Greek and Latin—because I wanted to prove that a woman's mind was just as capable as a man's. I worked hard and proudly earned my bachelor's degree in 1884. I didn't stop there! I came back to Oberlin and earned my master's degree in 1888. College taught me so much more than what was in my textbooks; it showed me the power of knowledge and ignited my passion for justice and equality.

After college, I moved to Washington, D.C., to become a teacher. I loved helping my students grow and learn. It was there I met and, in 1891, married Robert Heberton Terrell, a respected lawyer who later became a judge. My life took a sharp turn in 1892 when a dear childhood friend, Thomas Moss, was unjustly killed in a horrific act of racial violence. His death filled me with grief and a burning resolve. I realized that it wasn't enough to just teach in a classroom; I had to fight against the unfairness and prejudice that hurt my community. This tragic event pushed me into a lifetime of activism. In 1895, I was appointed to the District of Columbia's Board of Education, becoming the first African American woman in the United States to hold such a position.

I knew that to make real change, we had to work together. In 1896, I helped bring together many clubs for Black women to form one powerful group: the National Association of Colored Women (NACW). I was honored to be elected its first president. Our motto was 'Lifting as We Climb,' which meant we were dedicated to helping ourselves and our communities rise up through education, work, and fighting for our rights. I also fought for women's suffrage—the right for women to vote. I marched and gave speeches, reminding my fellow suffragists that the fight for the vote had to include all women, regardless of their race. I wanted to ensure that the voices of Black women would be heard in our nation's government.

My work didn't slow down as I grew older. In 1909, I became one of the founding members of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, or the NAACP, an organization dedicated to fighting for civil rights. I traveled across the country and even to Europe, giving speeches about the injustices of segregation and discrimination. To share my experiences, I wrote an autobiography in 1940 called 'A Colored Woman in a White World.' Even in my 80s, I was still on the front lines. In the early 1950s, I led boycotts and sit-ins to protest restaurants in Washington, D.C., that refused to serve African Americans. Our efforts led to a major victory in 1953 when the Supreme Court ruled that segregation in D.C.'s public places was against the law. It was a proud moment for me.

I lived a long and full life, and I was 90 years old when my time on Earth came to an end. I never stopped believing in the power of people to create a more just and equal world. I am remembered today as a fighter who used her voice, her pen, and her feet to challenge injustice wherever she saw it. My work helped lay the groundwork for the great Civil Rights Movement that followed, and I hope my story inspires you to stand up for what is right, to value education, and to always keep 'lifting as you climb.'