Naomi Sewell Richardson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Naomi Sewell Richardson
|
|
|---|---|
Naomi Sewell Richardson, from a 1913 photo
|
|
| Born | September 24, 1892 |
| Died | August 5, 1993 (aged 100) |
| Resting place | Washingtonville Cemetery, New York City |
| Education | Howard University, 1914 |
| Occupation | Educator, suffragist |
| Known for | One of the founders of Delta Sigma Theta |
| Spouse(s) | Clarence Richardson |
| Children | Gloria Clark |
Naomi Sewell Richardson (born September 24, 1892 – died August 5, 1993) was an American teacher. She was also a strong supporter of women's right to vote. She helped start the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. This was the second sorority created for and by African-American women.
Contents
Naomi Sewell Richardson's Life
Her Early Life and School
Naomi Sewell Richardson was born on September 24, 1892. Her birthplace was Lincoln University, Pennsylvania. She was the third child of Perry W. Sewell, who was a minister, and Florence Snowden Sewell.
Naomi grew up in Washingtonville, New York. In 1910, she made history. She was the first African American student to graduate from Washingtonville High School.
College and Making a Difference
Richardson started college at Howard University in 1910. In 1913, she and 21 other students created the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Their goal was to "do more for our community."
All 22 founders joined the 1913 Woman Suffrage Procession. This was a big march for women's right to vote. They marched in their graduation caps and gowns. They faced mean words and actions from some people in the crowd. Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd, a past president of Delta Sigma Theta, said these founders were "activists before that term was popular."
Richardson met her husband, Clarence, while at Howard. She finished her studies and graduated in 1914.
Her Career as a Teacher
After college, Richardson became an elementary school teacher. She taught in East St. Louis, Illinois. The public schools there were segregated. This meant Black and white students were kept in separate schools.
Richardson was in East St. Louis during the East St. Louis race riots in 1917. After this, she moved to Princeton, New Jersey. She taught in another segregated school system there.
While in Princeton, Richardson worked to make things better. She successfully argued for African American teachers to have their own separate bathrooms. In 1920, Richardson moved to New York City. She taught there until 1947.
She stayed very involved with her sorority and her community. People admired her for her "extreme activism and civic service." This means she worked hard to help her community and fight for what was right.
Her Lasting Impact
Naomi Sewell Richardson lived a long life. She was the last living founder of Delta Sigma Theta. She passed away in 1993 at the age of 100.
In 1995, her sorority sisters wrote a book about her. It was called A Life of Quiet Dignity: Naomi Sewell Richardson.
A park was built in 2019 where her first home used to be. It is called the Naomi Sewell Richardson Park.
More to Explore
