nPostednon October 15, 2015
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nWhennyou are born an African-American female – in 1837, in the UnitednStates – and you are born into slavery! – well, your prospectsnare not good.
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nHowever,nI am happy to report that Fanny Jackson had an aunt who purchased hernfreedom when she was 12 years old.
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nJackson then worked as a servant andnstudied every chance she could get; when she was 23 years old,nJackson enrolled in Oberlin College in Ohio. (This was the first U.S.ncollege to regularly admit female students, black students, and blacknfemale students!)
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FannynJackson took the “gentleman’s course” – which was harder thatnthe lady’s course, I gather, with Latin and Greek and loads ofnmathematics. Jackson must have done a great job, because, when shenwas junior, she was chosen as one of the 40 juniors and seniorsnannually hired to teach preparatory classes. However, the Facultyntold Jackson that, if the students complained about having her as anteacher, “they did not intend to force it.”n
FannynJackson took the “gentleman’s course” – which was harder thatnthe lady’s course, I gather, with Latin and Greek and loads ofnmathematics. Jackson must have done a great job, because, when shenwas junior, she was chosen as one of the 40 juniors and seniorsnannually hired to teach preparatory classes. However, the Facultyntold Jackson that, if the students complained about having her as anteacher, “they did not intend to force it.”n
In other words, if the students of Oberlin didn’t want anyoung black woman as their teacher, Jackson would be out.
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nWhatndo you suppose happened? I am again happy to report that, accordingnto Jackson, “there was a little surprise on the faces of some whennthey came into the class, and saw the teacher…” but therenwas no rebellion. There were no petitions or protests; people didn’tncomplain, or switch classes, or leave the school.
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nAsna matter of fact, Jackson’s class kept getting larger and larger, andnshe ended up teaching two divisions. She also took on teaching annevening course for free African Americans in reading and writing.
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Afterngraduating from college, Jackson taught in a variety of schools andnbecame the first African American woman to ever become a schoolnprincipal. She married a minister named Levi Coppin, and she was anlifelong advocate for higher education for women and fornAfrican-American “strength and dignity.”n
Afterngraduating from college, Jackson taught in a variety of schools andnbecame the first African American woman to ever become a schoolnprincipal. She married a minister named Levi Coppin, and she was anlifelong advocate for higher education for women and fornAfrican-American “strength and dignity.”n
Fanny Jackson Coppin is now long gone (she died in 1913, agen76), but we can and should still honor her contributions.
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nOh!nOne more thing I am happy to report: one of Maryland’s statenuniversities is named for Coppin!
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nAlsonon this date:
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nNationalnTree Planting Day in Sri Lanka
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nNational Cake Decorating Day
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nNationalnGrouch Day
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nCayennenDay in French Guiana
nCayennenDay in French Guiana
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n“InLove Lucy” Day
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nSpirit Day
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n“InLove Lucy” Day
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nSpirit Day
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nPlannahead:
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nChecknout my Pinterest boards for:
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nAndnhere are my Pinterest boards for:
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nNovembern holidays
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nNovembern birthdays
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nHistoricaln anniversaries in November
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