Margaret Murray-Washington: Black Principal, Educator & Queen Mother of Tuskegee #TheOaks #BlackHandSide

Most of you have never heard about the 3rd wife of Booker T. Washington, so we will get that information out of the way and will start with a brief introduction.

She was one of the greatest women in the history of North America, in her day! Lest we forget. #BlackHandSide

Booker T. Washington's Personal Life

Booker T. Washington married three times.

Fannie Smith Washington m. 1882–1884

Olivia A. Davidson m. 1886–1889

Margaret Murray Washington m. 1893–1915

He was a private and complex man, he had the trauma of losing two wives.

He married one of his Malden school pupils, Fanny Norton Smith in 1882. Their daughter Portia was born in 1883. Fanny died in 1884.

He then married Olivia Davidson in 1885.

A Hampton graduate, Olivia was the assistant principal of Tuskegee.

She had a great influence on Washington and the development of his Northern philanthropic support. They had two sons, Booker T. Washington Jr., and Ernest Davidson Washington. Olivia died suddenly of Tuberculosis in 1889.

Washington then married Margaret James Murray in 1892.

A teacher, Margaret became the Lady Principal of Tuskegee after Olivia's death.

Margaret and Booker did not have children.

In addition to her professional role on campus, Margaret ran a home for the entire Washington family at The Oaks.

She died in 1925.

But she was so much more.

Shall we dive further into uncovering worthy herstory?

Margaret Murray, educator born

On March 9th in 1865, Margaret Murray was born.

She was a Black Educator and Club Woman.

The child of a Black woman and White father, she was from Macon, Mississippi.

After the death of her father at the age of seven, Quakers took her in and it was there that she received much guidance and education.

She entered Fisk University in 1881 to become a teacher.

Married to Booker T. Washington in 1893 (his third wife), she stood steadfastly beside him in making his dream of a great school (Tuskegee Institute) come true.

Murray joined the staff there and became the Dean of the woman’s department after one year.

Murray-Washington was the Director of the Girl’s institute at Tuskegee, which provided courses in laundering, cooking, dressmaking, sewing, millinery, and mattress making; skills which students were to use in maintaining healthy, efficient, and gracious homes.

Called "one of the greatest women of her century," Margaret Murray Washington spoke to national audiences as first president of the National Federation of Colored Women's Clubs.

But her greatest service came where she founded country schools, taught women how to live and attend to their homes, worked for the improvement of prisons, started the Mt. Meigs school for boys and an industrial school for girls, and constantly worked for the betterment of the poor and neglected.

In 1896, she became vice president of the National Federation of Afro American Women.

Soon after she became president of the Alabama Association of Women’s Clubs until her death in 1925.

Murray-Washington was a woman of great compassion, intelligence, and independence of judgment.

She became one of the greatest forces at Tuskegee and among Black leaders and thinkers in America.

Reference:

Black Women in America An Historical Encyclopedia, Volumes 1 and 2, edited by Darlene Clark Hine

Copyright 1993, Carlson Publishing Inc., Brooklyn, New York ISBN 0-926019-61-9

Continued Legacy:

"In 1895 an obscure man in an obscure Missouri town sent a letter broad-cast over this country and England, reflecting upon the character and morals of our Women. So utterly false were the vile statement, that the women were aroused as never before and when Mrs. Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin, President of the New Era Club of Boston, called a meeting of protest in July 1895, the indignant women from North, South, East and West flocked to the "Classic Hub", and in no uncertain terms vindicated the honor of the Race. The National Federation of Colored Women’s Club was the result of that meeting, with Mrs. Booker T. Washington at its head. However, another national organization, the?National League of Colored Women,[4]?with Mrs. Cook (née?Helen Appo Cook) as President existed at Washington and the women soon realized that two organizations so identically similar could not work harmoniously as separate units. Therefore, the two organizations met in July 1896, and each appointed a committee to arrange for a consolidation, which was effected and the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs came into existence with Mrs. Mary Church Terrell, of international fame, as President. This joint session was attended by some of the most notable women of our Race, among whom were Harriet Tubman. Francis E. W. Harper, poet and writer, Victoria E. Matthews, founder of the White Rose Mission of New York, Josephine S. Yates, teacher and writer, an others. Mrs. Ida B. Wells Barnett and Elizabeth Lindsay Davis were the delegates from Illinois."

Founders of the NACWC included?Harriet Tubman,?Margaret Murray Washington, Frances E. W. Harper,?Ida Bell Wells-Barnett, and?Mary Church Terrell. Its two leading members were?Josephine St. Pierre Ruffin?and?Mary Church Terrell.

Their original intention was "to furnish evidence of the moral, mental and material progress made by people of color through the efforts of our women".

They organized to refute a letter written by James Jacks, the president of the Missouri Press Association, challenging the respectability of African-American women, and referring to them as thieves and prostitutes.

Andrea Brooks-Smith – 30th President (2018–present)

NACWC objectives

1. To work for the economic, moral, religious and social welfare of women and children.
2. To protect the rights of women and children.
3. To raise the standard and quality of life in home and family.
4. To secure and use our influence for the enforcement of civil and political rights for all citizens.
5. To promote the education of women and children through the work of effective programs.
6. To obtain for African-American families the opportunity of reaching the highest levels of human endeavor.
7. To promote effective interaction with the organization's male auxiliary.
8. To promote inter-racial understanding so that justice and goodwill may prevail amongst all people.

Sisters and Supporters of the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs Incorporated,????

Our founding mothers were a broad spectrum of colored women, ranging from educators and activists to entrepreneurs.

They knew that we were and would be a diverse people with a diverse group of needs and they wanted this organization to be equipped to serve the needs of all of our communities.

Today, I set out to remind you that we are equipped to do the work of our foremothers and because of that we must do the work set before us.

Our country is dealing with issues that rival the Great Depression, Jim Crow Era, and the Civil Rights Movement wrapped up in one. We must use our various strengths and talents to do our part in restoring ourselves and our communities.

We can't wait for anyone else to do the work that we are equipped to do.?We didn't wait in 1896, when we were the first.?How dare we wait now!???

This year we will celebrate 125 years of continuously "Lifting As We Climb"!?

That is NOT a small milestone for any organization, but especially not a small milestone for an organization of double

minorities (colored women).?This would not be possible without the dedication and selflessness of women just like you.

We must ensure that this legacy is passed forward so that when our life's journey is complete, the NACWC will still be serving the community while Lifting and Climbing.?

It is not about titles, nor the pomp and circumstance of traditions.?

It is about doing the work and creating opportunities for the betterment and uplifting our communities.?

Our founding mothers risked it all to create this federation.?

They defied every hurdle and stereotype that came their way, sacrificing the individual for the collective.?

We must do the same.

“Lifting As We Climb" is the federated way of life, not just our motto.??

With Love,

Andrea Brooks-Smith

NACWC 30th President

Incorporated July 26, 1904 in St. Louis, Missouri

I plan to join this organization as a Male Auxiliary member. I was unaware. I recommend that you do so as well.

There is a local group in Jeff City, Missouri called P.O.I.S.E. I want to start a chapter in my city as well. Let's do this action in every city. This organization is worthy of support and engagement due to its Founders and history.

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