Katherine Devereux Blake facts for kids
Katherine Devereux Blake (born July 10, 1858 – died February 2, 1950) was an American woman who worked as a teacher and school leader. She was also a strong supporter of peace and equal rights for women. Katherine Blake was the first principal of PS 6, a school also known as The Lillie Devereaux Blake School, where she worked for 34 years.
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Early Life and Learning
Katherine Devereux Blake was born in New York City on July 10, 1858. Her mother was Lillie Devereux Blake, who was also a well-known writer and activist.
Katherine went to Miss Walker's School and St. Mary's School. She later graduated from the Normal College (now Hunter College) in 1876. She continued her studies at the School of Pedagogy at New York University from 1887 to 1888.
A Career in Education
Katherine Blake became the Principal of Public School No. 6 in 1894. She was a leader in making schools better for everyone.
Helping Women Learn
In 1897, Katherine Blake started the first evening high school for women in New York City. This gave women a chance to continue their education even after working during the day.
Fighting for Fair Pay
She also helped gather women teachers and principals to ask for better salaries. She believed teachers should be paid fairly for their important work.
Improving School Buildings
Katherine Blake was the first person to collect information about how many school rooms were dark or poorly lit. She wanted to make sure students had good places to learn.
Supporting Women in Leadership
She was the Vice-President of the Association of Women Principals in New York City. She also helped ask Mayor William Russell Grace to appoint women to the Board of Education. This helped more women get important roles in school leadership.
Working for Change
Katherine Blake was a dedicated activist who worked for peace and for women's right to vote.
Peace Activism
She was the New York Chair of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. This group worked to prevent wars and promote peace around the world.
Women's Right to Vote
Katherine Blake was also a suffragist, meaning she supported women's right to vote. In 1915, she marched with hundreds of other teachers in a parade in New York. This parade was organized by the Woman Suffrage Association to show support for women's voting rights.
Katherine Blake passed away in St. Louis, Missouri, on February 2, 1950.