Adah Jenkins facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Adah Jenkins
Adah L. Killion from a 1925 issue of The Crisis
Born	Adah Louise Killion April 23, 1901 Baltimore
Died	May 8, 1973 Baltimore
Nationality	American
Occupation	Musician, educator
Known for	Civil rights activist

Adah Louise Killion Jenkins (born April 23, 1901 – died May 8, 1973) was an important American woman. She was a civil rights activist, a talented musician, and a dedicated teacher. She also wrote about music for the Afro-American newspaper.

Adah Jenkins: A Life of Impact

Early Life and Education

Adah Louise Killion was born and grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. Her father, Thomas Killion, was a doctor. Her aunt, Lillian Handy Trusty, was a teacher in Baltimore for many years. Her aunt was also a member of the NAACP. The NAACP is a group that works for equal rights for all people.

Adah Killion went to the Teachers Training College. This school is now known as Coppin State University.

A Teacher and Music Lover

Adah Jenkins became a teacher in Baltimore City Public Schools. She made history there as the first Black supervisor of music. She also taught at Coppin Teacher Training College. Later, she became a music professor at Morgan State University.

She helped start the Maryland State Music Teachers Association. Many students learned piano from her. These included singer Bill Myers and organist Hansonia Mitchell.

Fighting for Civil Rights

Adah Jenkins was very active during the Civil Rights Movement. This was a time when many people worked to end unfair treatment based on race. She helped create the Baltimore Interracial Fellowship. She was also a founding member of the Baltimore chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). She served as the vice-chair of this group.

The Baltimore CORE held many protests. Jenkins believed it was important to finish what they started. She also felt some members were afraid to upset white members.

Integrating Ford's Theater

Ms. Jenkins was a key leader in the efforts to integrate Ford's Theater in Baltimore. This meant working to allow Black people to attend shows there, just like white people. She helped organize and take part in protests outside the theater.

Music Critic and Mentor

For 23 years, Jenkins wrote about music for the Afro-American newspaper. She was also involved with Fellowship House. This was a program of the Baltimore Interracial Fellowship. Another Baltimore activist, A. Robert Kaufman, looked up to Jenkins as his "mentor."

Personal Life and Legacy

Adah Killion married James Logan Jenkins Jr. She passed away on May 8, 1973, at the age of 72. She was a widow at the time. Her two children, Rebekah Jenkins Bain and Thomas Killion Jenkins, survived her.

In 1975, a special concert was held to honor Adah Jenkins. A scholarship at Morgan State University's music department was also named after her. This scholarship helps students who study music.