Celebrating Black History Month: Ms. Elizabeth Evelyn Wright (1872-1906)
Photo Credit: Georgia Historical Society
Elizabeth Evelyn Wright was an exceptional African-American educator and social worker. In 1897, she founded the Denmark Industrial School for African American children, now known as Voorhees College, in Denmark, South Carolina. Ms. Wright was inspired by her experience as a student at Booker T. Washington's Tuskegee Institute and based the Denmark Industrial School on its model. At Tuskegee, she attended classes at night and worked on campus during the day for two years.
Her school provided an excellent example of the transformative power of education. The curriculum she developed focused on vocational training and life skills, primarily preparing African American male and female students for self-sufficiency and success in a world often hostile to their aspirations. Elizabeth founded several schools, but unfortunately, they were destroyed by arson. She was determined to develop a school that would remain standing for future generations of learners.
Elizabeth Wright paved the way for the establishment of many Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the United States. Her school was a tremendous success, and it quickly gained a reputation for its innovative approach to education. As we celebrate the legacy of Wright and the many other pioneers who have fought for educational equity, we must continue to amplify our efforts to ensure that all learners have access to the transformative power of education.