Carrie Williams Clifford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carrie Williams Clifford
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Clifford, February 1901
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| Born | September 1862 |
| Died | November 10, 1934 (aged 72) |
| Burial place | Woodland Cemetery |
| Nationality | American |
| Known for | Poetry, civil rights activism, women's rights activism |
| Spouse(s) | William H. Clifford (married 1886-1934) |
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Carrie Williams Clifford (born September 1862 in Chillicothe, Ohio – died November 10, 1934) was an amazing author and activist. She worked hard for women's rights and civil rights in the United States. This means she fought for fair treatment and equal opportunities for women and for African Americans.
Contents
Who Was Carrie Williams Clifford?
Her Early Life and Family
Carrie Williams Clifford was born in Ohio and grew up there. She became a teacher and taught in Parkersburg, West Virginia, for three years.
In 1886, she moved back to Cleveland, Ohio. There, she married William H. Clifford, who was a state legislator (a person who makes laws). They had two children, Maurice and Joshua. In 1908, Carrie and her family moved to Washington, D.C.. She passed away on November 10, 1934, and was buried in Cleveland, Ohio.
Fighting for Change
Carrie Williams Clifford was a very active person who wanted to make the world better.
Starting Clubs for Discussion
When she lived in Cleveland, she started a group called the Minerva Reading Club. In this club, people talked about important social problems of the time.
She also helped lead the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs. This group worked to improve the lives of African American women and their communities. In 1901, Carrie helped create the Ohio Federation of Colored Women's Clubs and was its first president.
Working with Leaders
Carrie became good friends with W. E. B. DuBois, a famous civil rights leader. She helped him organize a women's group within the Niagara Movement. This movement was an early civil rights group that fought for equal rights for African Americans. She helped many women join their meeting in Boston in 1907.
After moving to Washington, D.C., Carrie often hosted gatherings at her home. Many important black activists, including DuBois and Mary Church Terrell, would come to these meetings. These gatherings were part of the Harlem Renaissance, a time when black art, music, and literature became very popular.
Joining the NAACP
When the NAACP was formed, Carrie joined this new organization. The NAACP is a very important group that works for civil rights. She was on their main leadership team and helped lead their work on issues affecting children.
Carrie worked with other strong women like Mary Church Terrell and Addie D. Waites Hunton. They fought against serious problems like lynching, which was when people were illegally killed by mobs. Carrie helped organize a "Silent Parade" in Washington, D.C., in 1922 to protest lynching. She even met with President William Taft to show the NAACP's support for laws against lynching.
Besides her work with the NAACP, Carrie also gave many speeches about politics and race.
A Voice Through Poetry and Writing
Carrie Williams Clifford was also a talented writer.
Her Books of Poems
She wrote two books of poetry: Race Rhymes (1911) and The Widening Light (1922). In Race Rhymes, she wrote that her poems were about "the uplift of humanity." She hoped her poems would "change some evil heart, right some wrong and raise some arm strong to deliver." Her poems talked about unfairness based on race and gender. They also celebrated important black historical figures and discussed current events in black political life.
Writing for Newspapers
Carrie's political work and writing often went together. Her poems, which had strong political messages, were sometimes printed in black newspapers. She also wrote essays for these papers.
In an essay called "Votes for Children," published in the NAACP's newspaper The Crisis, Carrie argued that women should have the right to vote. She believed this would help protect children and families. She also edited the women's section of a newspaper called the Cleveland Journal. Plus, she helped edit a publication and an essay collection for the Ohio Federation of Colored Women's Clubs.
Works
Books
- Race Rhymes, 1911.
- The Widening Light, 1922.
- (edited) Sowing for Others to Reap, 1900.
Poems
- "Brothers." Opportunity. 1925
- "Lines to Garrison." Alexander's Magazine 1 (1906–1907): 8–9.
- "Love’s Way (A Christmas Story)." Alexander's Magazine 1 (1906–1907): 55–58.
Essays
- "Cleveland and its Colored People" (1905)
- "Votes for Children" (August 1915), The Crisis 10: 185
See also
