Helen Lee Franklin facts for kids

Helen Beatrice Lee Franklin (born October 1895, died January 19, 1949) was an American teacher. She was also a champion for fairness and equal rights. She moved to Boston during a time called the Great Migration. This was when many African Americans moved from the Southern states to the North.

Early Life and Education

Helen Franklin was born in Aiken, South Carolina. Her parents were Henrietta and Sherman Lee. She had five brothers and sisters. Her father was a printer. He often faced problems for printing things that spoke out against unfair rules. These rules were called segregation and discrimination. This might be why her family decided to move North.

In the early 1900s, Helen's family moved to Massachusetts. They first lived in Somerville. Her father became a real estate agent there. Her mother worked as a dressmaker. Helen went to the Charles G. Pope School. Later, her family moved to Cambridge. She then attended Cambridge High and Latin School. This school is now known as the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School. Helen graduated in 1914.

Working as a Teacher

A few years after finishing school, Helen went back to the South. She worked at the Palmer Memorial Institute in Sedalia, North Carolina. This was a special school for African American children. Throughout the 1920s, she kept working at schools for African Americans. One of these was the Utica Normal and Industrial School in Mississippi.

In 1924, Helen returned to Cambridge. She came with a singing group called the "Sedalia Quartette." This group helped raise money for the Palmer Memorial Institute.

Community Work

Helen was very involved in her community. In 1929, the Cambridge Community Center opened. Helen became its first secretary. She helped the center until 1936.

In 1931, Helen also started working with the Boston Urban League. This group helped African Americans with money, health, and social issues. She went to health fairs to tell people about the League. From 1931 to 1936, she was an assistant secretary there.

Around 1935, Helen moved to Roxbury. This area had a strong Black community. During the 1930s, she also joined several clubs. She was part of the ladies' group of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. She played music for her post and helped plan events with her sister, Blanche.

Fighting for Fairness

In 1941, Helen started working as a typist. She worked at the Charlestown Navy Yard. There, she faced unfair treatment. She and 11 other women sent a letter to the Fair Employment Practices Committee. They said their employers were treating them differently. They believed white women were getting more chances for promotions.

However, the Committee did not rule in their favor. After this, Helen asked for a transfer. She wanted to work at the veteran's bureau instead.

Later Life and Legacy

Helen Franklin passed away on January 19, 1949. She was 53 years old. In her last years, she stayed active. She worked at the Veterans Rehabilitation Center of Boston. She also served on the board of the Boston branch of the NAACP. This group works for equal rights for all people.

At her funeral, her lifelong friend, Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown, spoke. Dr. Brown was the president of the Palmer Memorial Institute. Helen Franklin is remembered for her dedication to teaching and fighting for justice.