Ethel Martin Bolden facts for kids

Ethel Evangeline Martin Bolden (born December 14, 1918 – died October 20, 2002) was an amazing African-American librarian, teacher, and community leader. She helped many people in Columbia, South Carolina, learn and grow.

Ethel Bolden loved books and believed everyone should have access to them. She started libraries in schools for Black students in Columbia. She made sure these libraries had many books about Black history. She once said that knowing Black history helps everyone, not just Black students. It makes American history complete! Later, in 1968, she became the head librarian at Dreher High School. This was a big step because she helped to integrate the school, meaning she was one of the first African Americans to work there.

Ethel's Early Life and School Days

Ethel Evangeline Martin was born on December 14, 1918, in Charleston, South Carolina. Her parents were Ethel Sinkler and Thomas John Martin. When Ethel was little, her father moved to Chicago, Illinois. Her mother then moved the family to Columbia, South Carolina. There, her mom became the leader of a school for young Black girls.

Ethel spent time between her mother's home in Columbia and a place called Peak, South Carolina. Her grandmother ran a missionary school there. Sadly, Ethel's mother passed away in 1927, and her grandmother died in 1929. After that, Ethel and her younger brother lived with different relatives.

Ethel went to Booker T. Washington High School from 1932 to 1936. She also went to Barber–Scotia College, where she started working as a helper in the library. She earned her first college degree from Johnson C. Smith University. Later, in 1959, she earned her Master's degree in library science from Atlanta University.

Ethel's Career as a Librarian and Educator

Ethel Bolden started her career as a teacher at Waverly Elementary school. However, she had to leave in 1941 when she married Charles F. Bolden, Sr., because married women were not allowed to be teachers back then.

But Ethel found another way to help students! In 1944, she became Waverly's first teacher-librarian. This meant she taught part-time and also set up the city's first library in a Black elementary school. She then helped create libraries in most of the other Black elementary schools in Columbia. She also became the first librarian at W.A. Perry Middle School.

In 1968, Ethel Bolden became the head librarian at Dreher High School. She believed that all students should have access to books and knowledge. She and another staff member, Francena Robinson, were the first two African Americans to join the teaching staff there.

Ethel was very active in her community. She helped with a special program at Allen University for elementary school librarians. She also worked with groups like the Greater Columbia Community Relations Council. This group worked to improve relationships between different races in the community. She was also a member of important professional groups like the South Carolina Library Association.

Ethel was a dedicated researcher. She loved to learn about the experiences of Black people in South Carolina. She collected thousands of papers and materials. These valuable items are now kept at the South Caroliniana Library at the University of South Carolina. They help us learn about Ethel's life and work.

Ethel retired from Dreher High School in 1982. But she didn't stop working for libraries! She became the secretary for the Richland County Public Library board. She helped with big projects, like building new library branches and raising money for the main library.

Honors and Recognition

Ethel Bolden received many awards for her hard work and dedication. She was a lifelong member of the NAACP, a group that works for civil rights. She was also a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

She received the Order of the Silver Crescent for her volunteer work. She also received the Order of the Palmetto, which is the highest award given by the state of South Carolina. She was even inducted into the South Carolina Black Hall of Fame! Many other groups also recognized her amazing contributions to the community.

Family Life

Major Charles F. Bolden, Jr.

Ethel Martin married Charles F. Bolden, Sr. in 1941. They were married until he passed away in 1979.

They had two sons: Charles F. Bolden, Jr., and Warren M. Bolden. Their older son, Major Charles F. Bolden, Jr., is very famous! He used to be the head of NASA, the space agency. He was also a general in the United States Marine Corps and an astronaut. He flew on four Space Shuttle missions!

Ethel Bolden was also a founding member of Northminster Presbyterian Church.

Legacy

Ethel Bolden passed away on October 20, 2002.

Her legacy lives on! The Richland Library Friends and Foundation offers the Ethel Bolden Minority Fellowship award. This award helps students from diverse backgrounds who want to study library science. It encourages more people to follow in Ethel's footsteps and become librarians.