Brenda Ray Moryck facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brenda Ray Moryck
Brenda Ray Moryck, from the 1916 Wellesley College yearbook
Born	1894 Newark, New Jersey, US
Died	1949 Washington, D.C.
Other names	Brenda Moryck Francke (after 1930)
Occupation	Writer, teacher
Relatives	Cordelia Ray (great-aunt); Charlotte E. Ray (great-aunt); Charles Bennett Ray (great-great-grandfather)

Brenda Ray Moryck (born in June 1894, died in 1949) was an American writer. She was part of an exciting time called the Harlem Renaissance. This was a period when Black artists, writers, and musicians created amazing works.

Early Life and Learning

Brenda Ray Moryck was born in Newark, New Jersey. Her dad, John W. Moryck, was a businessman. Her mom, Sarah Rose Ray Moryck, was a teacher and community leader. Brenda came from a family of important people. Her great-great-grandfather, Charles Bennett Ray, fought to end slavery. Her great-aunts, Charlotte E. Ray and Cordelia Ray, were also notable.

Brenda went to Wellesley College. She graduated in 1916. She was the only Black student in her class. Later, she earned a master's degree. This was in English literature from Howard University in 1926.

Brenda Ray Moryck's Career

After college, Brenda worked for a charity group in Newark. She also taught physical education. This was at a technical school in Bordentown. In the 1920s, she taught English and drama. She worked at Armstrong Manual Training School in Washington, D.C..

Brenda was a talented writer. Her essays and stories were published. They appeared in important magazines like The Crisis and Opportunity. She also wrote for other newspapers. She was a drama critic for the New York Age. This meant she reviewed plays. She even wrote her own play, The Christmas Spirit. It was performed at Armstrong high school in 1927.

Brenda was very active in her community. She was involved with the National Urban League. She also worked with the Harlem YWCA. She was a member of the NAACP. This group works for equal rights. Brenda was also a keen golfer.

Her writings are connected to the Harlem Renaissance. Her work is found in many books today. These books celebrate Black culture and writing. She had an unpublished novel when she passed away.

Family Life

Brenda Ray Moryck was married two times. Her first husband was Lucius Lee Jordan. They married in 1917. Sadly, he passed away before their first anniversary. In 1930, she married Robert Beale Francke.

Brenda had a daughter named Betty Osborne Francke. She also had a foster daughter, July Wormley. Brenda Ray Moryck died in 1949. She was in Washington, D.C., and was in her fifties.