Fannie Cobb Carter facts for kids

Fannie Cobb Carter (born September 30, 1872 – died March 29, 1973) was an amazing American teacher. She also helped people and worked hard for schools to be open to all students, no matter their race. She lived to be 100 years old!

Growing Up

Fannie Cobb was born in Charleston, West Virginia. This was in 1872. That same year, a new state rule was made. It said that Black and white children could not go to the same schools. Fannie's parents had both been enslaved people. She started school at a Black school in Charleston.

After her mother passed away, Fannie lived with her grandmother. Her grandmother worked for a man named Charles Lewis. Mr. Lewis let Fannie learn with his own children. They were taught by a special teacher called a governess.

Fannie finished high school and then earned a teaching degree. She graduated from Storer College in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, in 1891.

In the late 1890s, Fannie traveled with a singing group. They were called the Hampton Institute Singers. She went with them all over Europe. Even though she wasn't a singer, she joined their travels. She also studied at the Hampton Institute for a while.

Adult Life

In 1911, Fannie married Emery Rankin Carter. He was a lawyer in Charleston, West Virginia. They lived in the South Hills area of the city.

Fannie Carter became friends with West Virginia Governor Homer Holt. This happened after she asked him to stop a public hanging. The woman's punishment was changed to life in prison instead.

Her Career and Work

After getting her first degree, Fannie Carter taught in West Virginia. She worked in the public schools of Kanawha County. Some people were surprised when she was hired. They said she didn't have enough experience.

To become an even better teacher, she spent her summers learning more. She went to colleges like Hampton, Oberlin, and Ohio State University. There, she learned new teaching methods.

Helping the Community

In 1898, Fannie Cobb helped start a group called the Charleston Woman's Improvement League. This group worked to make things better in their community.

In 1908, the State Superintendent of Schools, Thomas Miller, let her leave her teaching job. He wanted her to help organize a new department. This department would train teachers at the West Virginia Colored Institute. She worked there for 12 years. Today, this school is known as West Virginia State University. Fannie was the highest-paid Black teacher in the state at that time. She earned $700 a year.

In the 1920s, Fannie Carter was known for two things. She was the first Black woman to work in newspapers in West Virginia. She was also a leader in helping people learn to read and write. This was called the "fight against illiteracy."

Leading a Home for Girls

In 1925, Fannie Carter became the superintendent of the State Industrial Home for Colored Girls. This home was in Huntington, West Virginia. She took this job after her husband, Emory Carter, passed away.

Fannie refused to start the job until something important happened. She insisted that the metal bars on the home's windows be removed. She believed the girls should not feel like they were in a prison. The state agreed and removed the bars. She held that position for 10 years.

Later Career and Legacy

In 1935, Fannie Carter moved back to Charleston. She became the director of adult education for Kanawha County schools. She retired from this job two years later.

In 1945, she became the Dean at the National Trade and Professional School for Women and Girls. This school was in Washington, DC. Later, at 89 years old, she even served as the school's acting president. She worked there for 17 years in total.

In 1962, she returned to her home in Charleston. She lived there until she passed away. Fannie stayed active in the African-American community even after her 100th birthday in 1973.

Throughout her life, she strongly supported schools being open to all students. She believed that integration was important. But she also felt that Black achievements and history should still be celebrated and taught. They should not be forgotten.

She continued her own education throughout her life. She took more classes at places like Ohio State University, Oberlin College, the University of Chicago, and Columbia University.

Honors and Recognition

On June 11, 1977, the mayor of Charleston, John G. Hutchinson, named that day Fannie Cobb Carter Day.

She is also honored with a special bronze marker. This marker was placed by the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History. It is part of their National Historic Marker Project.