Emma Belle Gibson Sykes facts for kids

Emma Belle Gibson Sykes was an important American activist. She worked hard for women's right to vote and for equal rights for all people. She was born on October 8, 1885, and passed away on December 31, 1970.

About Her Life

Emma Belle Gibson was born in Christiana, Delaware, on October 8, 1885. She went to Howard High School in Wilmington. At that time, schools were separated by race. After finishing high school in 1903, she started working as a teacher.

In 1911, she married George J. Sykes, who was a dentist. They lived together in Wilmington, Delaware.

Working for Women's Rights

Around 1914, Emma Sykes became very active in the fight for women's right to vote. This movement was called Women's suffrage. She helped start the Equal Suffrage Study Club in Wilmington. Other teachers from Howard High School, like Alice Gertrude Baldwin and Alice Ruth Moore Dunbar, also joined her.

At the same time, she helped create the Wilmington branch of the NAACP. The NAACP is a group that works for equal rights for African Americans.

The Fight for the 19th Amendment

In 1920, the state of Delaware was thinking about approving the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. This amendment would give women across the country the right to vote. Some lawmakers in Delaware argued that the amendment should not be approved. They said it would give the vote to all women, not just white women.

Emma Sykes strongly disagreed with this idea. She wrote a letter to a local newspaper, the Wilmington Sunday Morning Star. In her letter, she said that the right to vote should belong to all women, no matter their race. Her letter was published on April 4, 1920. Even with her efforts, Delaware did not approve the amendment at that time. However, the 19th Amendment was later approved by enough states to become law across the United States.

After Women Gained the Vote

Once women could vote across the country, Emma Sykes focused on helping African-American women register to vote. She encouraged them to take part in elections. She stayed active in politics at both the state and local levels.

She continued her work with the NAACP. She was also involved with the Delaware Federation of Colored Women's Clubs. This group helped African-American women work together for community improvement. She also stayed connected with the Howard High School Alumni Association.

Recognized for Her Achievements

In 1963, the Howard High School Alumni Association honored Emma Sykes. They recognized her for several important "firsts":

• She was the first African-American woman to hold a public office in Delaware. She was appointed as the Register of Wills for New Castle County.
• She was the first woman elected to a leadership position in the Episcopal Diocese of Delaware church.
• She was the first teacher to teach business education at Howard High School.
• She was the only African-American woman still alive who had successfully worked for women's right to vote and marched in a victory parade.

Emma Belle Gibson Sykes passed away on December 31, 1970, in Wilmington. She left behind a legacy of fighting for justice and equality.