Carlotta Stewart Lai facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carlotta Stewart Lai
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Lai around age 19
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| Born | September 16, 1881 Brooklyn, New York
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| Died | July 6, 1952 (aged 70) Honolulu, Hawaii
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| Nationality | American |
| Education | Oahu College (Punahou School) |
| Occupation | Teacher, school principal |
| Spouse(s) | Yun Tim Lai |
| Parent(s) | Thomas McCants Stewart, Charlotte L. Harris Stewart |
| Relatives | McCant Stewart, Gilchrist Stewart (siblings) |
Carlotta Stewart Lai (born September 16, 1881 – died July 6, 1952) was an amazing teacher and school leader in Hawaii. She worked in public schools for 40 years! Carlotta Lai made history as the first African American school principal in Honolulu.
She was an African American woman from New York. At that time, it was very hard for African Americans to become teachers or school leaders in the United States. But Carlotta Lai found great success in Hawaii. This was especially impressive because very few African Americans lived in Hawaii back then.
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Early Life and Family
Carlotta Lai was born in 1881 in Brooklyn, New York. Her parents were Thomas McCants Stewart and Charlotte L. Harris Stewart. She was the third child and their only daughter. Carlotta went to public school in Brooklyn.
Her two brothers, McCants Stewart and Gilchrist Stewart, both became lawyers. Her father, Thomas McCants Stewart, was also a lawyer and writer. He worked to protect voting rights. Carlotta's mother graduated from Wilberforce University. Carlotta also had a famous aunt, Verina Morton-Jones. She was a doctor and helped start important groups like the Brooklyn NAACP and the Urban League.
Moving to Hawaii
When Carlotta was 18, in 1898, she moved to Hawaii with her father and stepmother. Her father hoped to do well in his law career there. He became a successful lawyer in Honolulu. He even helped write Honolulu's city rules.
In 1905, her father left Hawaii. But Carlotta decided to stay. She never went back to the U.S. mainland. Even though her family wasn't with her, Carlotta had a fun social life. She had many close friends. She enjoyed dances, parties, baseball games, and vacations. People think she stayed in Hawaii because she was happy there. She was also doing well in her job. Plus, she lived in a community where people of different backgrounds lived together.
Education and Training
Carlotta Lai went to Oahu College for one year. This school is now called Punahou School. While there, she joined the school's writing club. She also played on the girls' basketball team.
In 1902, she earned a teaching certificate. This certificate allowed her to teach in Hawaii's public schools.
A Career in Education
Carlotta Lai started her teaching career at Sacred Hearts Convent. She was a dedicated educator.
Becoming a Principal
In 1909, when she was 28, Carlotta Lai became the principal of Ko'olau Elementary School. This school was on the island of Kauai. She taught children from many different backgrounds there. Becoming a principal was a huge achievement for a Black woman at that time. There were very few Black people in Hawaii. Also, Black people had little political power.
In 1933, Lai became the principal of Hanamaulu School. Today, this school is called King Kaumualii Elementary School. At Hanamaulu School, she was more than just the principal. She also managed the library and the cafeteria. And she taught English classes.
Carlotta Lai cared about learning new things. She went to professional meetings for teachers. These included the Hawai'i Education Association and the Kaua'i Education Association.
She retired from teaching in 1944. She had worked for the Hawaii Department of Education for 41 years!
Personal Life
In 1916, Carlotta Lai married Yun Tim Lai. He was a car salesman of Chinese background. He was born in 1886 in Kauai. Carlotta was very close to her sister-in-law, Ruth Aki Ching. Ruth was later in charge of Carlotta's will. Carlotta's husband died suddenly in 1935 while visiting Hong Kong. They did not have any children. Carlotta did not marry again.
Carlotta Lai passed away on July 6, 1952, at the Manoa Convalescent Home.
Her family's letters and other papers are kept at Howard University. Carlotta's niece, Katherine Stewart Flippin, donated them. Katherine was a longtime special education teacher in San Francisco, California.
