Martha B. Briggs facts for kids
Martha Bailey Briggs (born March 31, 1838 – died March 28, 1889) was an important American teacher. She was born and grew up in New Bedford, Massachusetts. There, she taught formerly enslaved people how to read and write. In 1869, she moved to Washington, DC. She taught and was a principal at Anthony Bowen Elementary School. In 1873, she started working at Howard University. At Howard, she trained new teachers and taught math. In 1879, she became the principal of the Miner Normal School. She left Miner Normal in 1883 and went back to Howard. She was the principal of Howard's Normal Department until she died in 1889.
Early Life and Education
Martha Bailey Briggs was born on March 31, 1838. Her parents were John Briggs and Fannie Bassett Briggs. They were a Black family in New Bedford, Massachusetts who worked to end slavery. After he became free, Frederick Douglass worked with Martha's father, John Briggs.
Martha was the first African American to graduate from her high school. She studied to become a teacher at the Bridgewater Normal School. Her first teaching job was at her father's home. She tutored formerly enslaved men and women. Many of them had escaped slavery using the Underground Railroad.
Martha's reputation as a teacher grew. She also taught in small schools run from homes in the area. Besides her own private school, she taught in Christiantown, Martha's Vineyard. She also taught in public schools in Newport, Rhode Island. From 1862 to 1869, Briggs taught in Easton, Maryland.
Career in Washington, DC
In 1869, Briggs moved to Washington, DC. She quickly became a teacher and principal at the Anthony Bowen Elementary School. This school allowed children of color to attend. In 1873, Howard University hired her. She taught in their math and teacher training programs.
After Myrtilla Miner died, Briggs left Howard. She became the principal of the Miner Normal School from 1879 to 1883. This school is now known as the University of the District of Columbia. Briggs was the first African American woman to be principal of Miner Normal. A report from the Board of Education described her as "a born teacher." It said her work showed qualities that made her famous in education.
Briggs was also a member of the Monday Night Literary Club. This was a weekly meeting hosted by Frederick Douglass.
In 1883, Briggs left Miner Normal School due to poor health. She returned to work for Howard University. She remained the principal of the University's Normal Department until she died in 1889. She believed in teaching both job skills and general knowledge to people of color. She was elected president of the Industrial Institute Association of Washington, D.C., shortly before her death.
Her Legacy
Martha Bailey Briggs died on March 28, 1889. After her death, a group of people, led by Frederick Douglass, asked that a school building in DC be named after her. They succeeded. Two schools in Washington, D.C., were named after her: Briggs Elementary School in 1889 and Briggs-Montgomery Elementary School. However, both schools were later taken down for other building projects.
A special plaque was placed at the Howard University Chapel to remember her. It says: "Her works do follow her." In 1920, a group of teachers in New Bedford created the Martha Briggs Educational Club. They also started a fund to help students in her honor. In 1935, Briggs' former students gathered to honor her. This was part of the founders' day celebrations at Miner Teachers College.
