Leathe Colvert Hemachandra facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leathe Colvert Hemachandra
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Leathe Hemachandra's passport photograph from 1924
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| Born |
Leathe Wade Colvert
January 19, 1900 |
| Died | April 25, 1953 (aged 53) New York, New York, US
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| Occupation | Educator |
Leathe Colvert Hemachandra was an amazing American educator who lived from 1900 to 1953. She was born Leathe Wade Colvert and dedicated her life to teaching and helping her community.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Leathe Wade Colvert was born in New York in 1900. She went to Hunter College and graduated in 1921. When she was young, in 1919, Leathe Colvert even acted in a play called The Dreamy Kid with the Provincetown Players.
A Dedicated Educator
Leathe Hemachandra taught in public schools in New York City. She was a truly special teacher!
Top Teacher Recognition
In 1940, the Mayor of New York City, Fiorello La Guardia, honored her. He said she gave "distinguished service" to the schools. She was even named one of the city's 25 best teachers!
Teaching Black History
In the 1940s, Leathe Hemachandra taught special classes. These classes were for other teachers. She taught them about Black history. This helped more students learn important stories from the past.
Helping Young People
Leathe Hemachandra cared a lot about young people. She spoke out about problems like "juvenile delinquency." She believed that sometimes, it was more about "parental delinquency." This meant she thought parents needed to be more involved.
Community Involvement
Leathe Hemachandra was also very active in her community.
- She was the president (called "basileus") of the Tau Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha. This is a sorority, which is a group of women who work together for good causes.
- She was also the national director of publicity for Alpha Kappa Alpha in the 1940s.
- She was a member of the NAACP in Jamaica, New York. The NAACP is a group that works for equal rights for all people. She served on their women's committee.
- Leathe Hemachandra also wrote poetry. Her son even put one of her poems to music!
Personal Life
Leathe Colvert married Balatunga E. Hemachandra in 1923 in New York. He was from Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). They met in Paris. They lived in St. Albans, New York. They had a son named Neal, who was born in 1930.
Leathe Hemachandra's husband passed away in 1945. She died in 1953 at the age of 53, after having a stroke.
