Martha E. Forrester facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Martha E. Forrester
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| Born | 1863 |
| Died | 1951 (aged 87–88) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Clubwoman, activist, educator |
Martha E. Forrester (1863-1951) was an amazing American woman. She worked hard to make sure African American students had better schools. She was a civil rights activist, which means she fought for equal rights for all people. Her efforts helped many young people get a good education.
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Who Was Martha E. Forrester?
Martha E. Forrester was born in Richmond, Virginia, in 1863. When she was young, she married Robert Forrester. For several years, she worked as a public school teacher in Richmond. She loved helping students learn and grow.
Moving to Farmville
After her husband passed away, Martha moved to Farmville. Her daughter, Jeannette Clark, lived there. In Farmville, Martha joined a group of retired teachers. They wanted to make a difference in their community.
Helping Black Students in Prince Edward County
In 1920, Martha and other educators started a group called the Council of Colored Women. Martha became the president of this group. She led the Council for 31 years! During this time, she worked tirelessly for better schools.
Her main goal was to improve education for black students in Prince Edward County. She helped make the school year longer for these students. She also worked to make sure they could take more advanced classes. This helped them prepare for college and better jobs.
Martha Forrester also played a big part in creating the county's first high school for black students. This school was built in 1939. It was named after Robert Russa Moton, a famous educator.
A Lasting Legacy
Because of all her important work, the Council of Colored Women was later renamed. It became the Martha E. Forrester Council. This was done to honor her dedication and leadership.
Today, Martha Forrester's house in Farmville is a special place. In 2017, a historic marker was put up there. This marker helps people remember her and all the good she did for education and civil rights.
