Celebrating the Underdog: Nannie Helen Burroughs - Black History Month Legacy
Celebrating the Underdog: Nannie Helen Burroughs - Black History Month Legacy
Remembering Nannie Helen Burroughs: An Unsung Hero of Black Education
As we conclude Black History Month and prepare to enter Women's History Month, it's the perfect time to celebrate those whose contributions have been overshadowed in history. The underdogs deserve recognition too! Today, let's shine a spotlight on a remarkable woman whose determination created lasting change - Nannie Helen Burroughs.
Who Was Nannie Helen Burroughs?
African American woman, gray background, black hair, with black hat and white flower; white dress with necklace
Born to former slaves, Nannie Helen Burroughs became a pioneering educator and civil rights activist who refused to accept the limitations society placed on Black women. In an era when both white society and even Black men offered few opportunities for women to build careers, Burroughs created her own path to success and lifted countless others along the way.
Remember the name Nannie Helen Burroughs!
Building an Educational Legacy
In 1909, Burroughs established the National Trade School for Women and Girls (NTS) in Washington, DC. This groundbreaking institution provided vocational training and academic education to Black women and girls who were largely excluded from other educational opportunities. What makes her achievement even more remarkable is that she did this during a time of intense racial segregation and gender discrimination.
Burroughs served as president of the school from its founding until her death in 1961, dedicating over five decades of her life to ensuring Black women had access to education and career opportunities.
Beyond Education: A Multi-Faceted Leader
Nannie Helen Burroughs' influence extended far beyond her school:
- She founded a labor organization to protect the rights of Black female workers
- She fiercely advocated for women's rights, including women's suffrage
- She directed a presidential commission, bringing her influence to national policy
- She became a respected voice in religious circles, particularly within the Baptist church
Bringing Her Story to Light
African American woman sits in front of window; gray hair, black top with pearls
How do we know about Nannie Helen Burroughs today? Much of what we understand about her remarkable life comes from the dedicated research of Dr. Danielle Phillips-Cunningham, who uncovered Burroughs' story through extensive work in the Library of Congress archives. Her story finally comes to light from the past four decades, by women scholars that have been instrumental in rescuing Burroughs' legacy from historical obscurity.
Dr. Phillips-Cunningham's book has finally brought proper recognition to this extraordinary woman, allowing us to appreciate the full scope of her contributions to education, labor rights, and women's advancement.
A Timely Celebration
As Black History Month transitions into Women's History Month, Nannie Helen Burroughs represents the perfect bridge between these two important celebrations. Her life embodies the intersection of racial and gender equality struggles, reminding us that progress often comes through the tireless work of those who refuse to accept the limitations of their time.
Let's end Black History Month on a high note by celebrating this lesser-known educator and labor organizer who dedicated her life to creating opportunities for others. Nannie Helen Burroughs may have been an underdog in her time, but her legacy deserves to stand alongside the most celebrated figures in American history.
Be sure to read her amazing story: *Nannie Helen Burroughs- A Tower of Strength in the Labor World.
For more information: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/09/05/labor-day-black-women/
Rutgers.org
Blessings,
Coach V.
