Georgia Mabel DeBaptiste facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Georgia Mabel DeBaptiste
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1902
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| Born | November 24, 1867 Chicago, Illinois
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| Died | April 20, 1951 (aged 83) Chicago, Illinois
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| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Georgia Mabel DeBaptiste Faulkner, Georgia M. Faulkner, Georgia DeBaptiste Faulkner Ashburn, Georgia DeBaptiste Carr |
| Occupation | teacher, journalist, social worker |
| Years active | 1890–1943 |
Georgia Mabel DeBaptiste (1867–1951) was an important African-American woman from Chicago. She was a journalist, a teacher, and a social worker. After finishing her education, she taught at several well-known schools for Black students. Later, she became the first Black woman to work at the Chicago Post Office.
With her first husband, she traveled to Liberia to do missionary work. She also taught at Liberia College there. After her husband passed away, she lived in New York. She helped people at a local community center. She then remarried and moved to Virginia. She taught for a short time in Virginia. After that, she returned to Chicago. She spent the rest of her life helping her community.
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Early Life and Education
Georgia Mabel DeBaptiste was born on November 24, 1867. Her birthplace was Chicago, Illinois. Her parents were Georgianna Brischo and Richard H. DeBaptiste. She was the youngest of three children. She was also their only daughter.
Her mother died when Georgia was only six years old. Her father, a famous writer and preacher, raised her. As a young person, she joined her father's church. It was the Olivet Baptist Church in Chicago.
She went to elementary school in Chicago. She also took music classes at the Chicago Musical College. She started high school at South Division High School. However, her father moved to Evanston, Illinois during her studies. She finished high school at Evanston Township High School. Then, she went to Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois for more education.
Starting Her Career
When Georgia moved to Evanston, she began writing. Her first articles were printed in The Baptist Herald. This newspaper closed after two years. She then wrote for other publications. These included The Baptist Headlight and The African Mission. She also wrote regularly for Our Women and Children.
Her first job in education was helping William J. Simmons. She worked for him at the State University in Louisville, Kentucky. After leaving State University, she taught music. She worked for one year at Selma University. She did not like the weather in Selma, Alabama. So, she took a new job. She became an assistant language and music teacher. This was at Lincoln Institute in Jefferson City, Missouri. She worked there with Inman E. Page. Later, she took a job at the Western College and Industrial Institute. This school was in Macon, Missouri.
Working in Chicago and Abroad
DeBaptiste returned to Chicago. She worked as a postal clerk for five years. She continued this job even after she married Dr. Henry Clay Faulkner. They married on June 20, 1899. She was the first Black woman to work as a clerk at the Chicago Post Office.
In 1902, the couple still lived in Chicago. DeBaptiste was chosen as a commissioner for a special conference. This meeting discussed the progress of Black Americans. Soon after, the Baptist Foreign Missions Board sent them to Liberia. Dr. Faulkner worked as a doctor in Monrovia. DeBaptiste taught at the Liberia College.
In January 1907, DeBaptiste was on a trip in the United States. She was visiting her mother-in-law. During this time, she learned sad news. Her husband had died in Liberia the previous December.
Community Work and Later Life
In 1908, DeBaptiste moved to Brooklyn. She continued to give speeches. She also played the piano at different events. The next year, she became the head worker. This was at the Lincoln Settlement House. She kept lecturing, teaching music, and performing. In 1910, DeBaptiste was a widow. She lived with her brother, Richard Jr., who was a music teacher. Her son, Frederick Faulkner, born in 1906, also lived with them.
For several years, she continued her work at the community center. She also taught music and gave lectures. On June 16, 1915, she married Walter Raleigh Ashburn in Manhattan. Ashburn was a pastor. He led the Mount Zion Baptist Church of Evanston. In the year she married, DeBaptiste became the first president. This was for the Women's Auxiliary. It was part of the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc..
Soon after their marriage, the couple moved to Virginia. Ashburn became a pastor there. DeBaptiste became a general agent. This was for The Ashburn Brothers Shirt Manufacturing Company. It is likely that during this time, she taught at two schools. These were the normal school of Clifton Forge Normal and Industrial Institute and the Virginia Theological Seminary and College.
In 1917, DeBaptiste was re-elected as president of the Women's Auxiliary. By this time, she was living in Chicago. She and Ashburn had separated. From 1918 onward, DeBaptiste focused on community work. She joined the Bahá'í Faith in 1918. She worked as a social worker and organizer. This was in the Butler Community. In the 1920s, she was also the superintendent. This was for a home for young working women. In 1922, she helped the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). She was a captain in Chicago to help gain new members. In 1923, she was re-elected again to lead the Women's Auxiliary.
In the 1930s, she supervised the Youth's Conservation Council. She also oversaw the School's education department. DeBaptiste was very active in many groups. She was president of the District Teacher's Association of Chicago. She also led the Mother's Union. She was involved with the NAACP, the Urban League, and the YWCA. She also worked with the World's Fellowship of Faiths. In 1943, she was president of the Old Settler's Club. Before the club's 111th anniversary, DeBaptiste married a man named Carr.
Death and Legacy
Georgia Mabel DeBaptiste passed away on April 20, 1951. She was 83 years old. She died in Chicago. She was buried in the Lincoln Cemetery in Worth, Illinois.
