Judith Ann Carter Horton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Judith Ann Carter Horton
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| Born | 17 May 1866 Wright City |
| Died | 16 February 1948 (aged 81) Guthrie |
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| Occupation | Librarian |
Judith Ann Carter Horton (born May 17, 1866 – died February 16, 1948) was an inspiring teacher, librarian, and community leader. She is best known for creating the first public library for African Americans in Oklahoma. Her work helped many people get access to books and learning.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Judith Ann Carter was born on May 17, 1866, in Wright City, Missouri. Her parents had recently gained their freedom from slavery. Judith did not start school until she was ten years old.
When she was just thirteen, she left home to work as a housekeeper. She did this to earn money for her education. Her hard work paid off! In 1884, she saved enough to attend Oberlin Academy. She then graduated from Oberlin College in 1891 with a teaching degree.
Work as an Educator and Librarian
After college, Judith Ann Carter became a teacher. She worked as a teacher and principal in Columbus, Kansas, from 1891 to 1892. In 1892, she moved to Guthrie, Oklahoma. There, she became the principal of the schools for African American children.
Founding the Excelsior Club
Judith Horton was a strong believer in community action. In 1906, she started the first club for African American women in Oklahoma. It was called the Excelsior Club. This club helped women work together for important causes.
Starting the Excelsior Library
A big moment came in 1907. Judith's husband was not allowed into Guthrie's public library because he was Black. This unfair treatment motivated Judith to act. She worked with the Excelsior Club and a newspaper editor, George N. Perkins. Together, they raised money to create a new library.
In 1908, the Excelsior Library opened its doors. It was the first public library for African Americans in Oklahoma. The library was located in a two-story house. It served as a community center and a place for learning for forty years.
Even though it became part of the Guthrie Public Library system, the Excelsior Library received less money. It got only half the funding of the library for white people. Judith Horton worked at the Excelsior Library for eleven years. She did this part-time and without pay, showing her dedication. The Excelsior Library moved into a new building in 1955.
Community Leadership and Retirement
Judith Horton continued to be a powerful leader. In 1910, she helped start the Oklahoma State Federation of Colored Women's Clubs. She later served as its president for five years. This group helped provide education for orphaned African American girls.
She also founded the Westside Warner Congregational Church. She helped create the State Training School for Boys in Boley. Judith taught Latin and English at Faver High School in Guthrie. She retired from teaching in 1936. She kept working for community development until her death on February 16, 1948, in Guthrie.
Personal Life
In 1894, Judith Carter married Daniel Gibbs Horton. He was also a principal at a school for African Americans in Seward, Oklahoma. They had six children together. Three of their children lived past infancy.
Recognition
Judith Ann Carter Horton's amazing work is still remembered today. In September 2018, she was honored for her contributions. She was inducted into the Oklahoma African American Educators Hall of Fame.
