Nellie Pratt Russell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nellie Pratt Russell
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| Born | May 4, 1890 |
| Died | December 13, 1979 (age 89) |
| Occupation | incorporator of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated; English teacher at St. Paul's Normal and Industrial School for 50 years |
| Spouse(s) | Dr. J. Alvin Russell |
Nellie Pratt Russell (born May 4, 1890 – died December 13, 1979) was an important leader. She helped officially create Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. This was the very first sorority started by African-American college women. This group has helped many people for over 110 years.
Nellie Russell earned degrees from Howard University and Columbia University. She worked as a teacher for more than 50 years. Most of this time, she taught English at St. Paul's College. This was a special college for Black students in Lawrenceville, Virginia. She inspired many students and teachers there. Nellie Russell was even featured in a famous book called Who's Who in Colored America in 1927. St. Paul's College later named a building after Nellie Russell and her husband, Dr. J. Alvin Russell. They also created a scholarship in their name to help students.
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Growing Up in Georgia
Nellie Pratt was born in Macon, Georgia, on May 4, 1890.
In 1907, Nellie started college at Howard University. This was a top historically black college in the United States. At that time, very few people went to college. Only a small number of African Americans and white people attended college.
College Life and Alpha Kappa Alpha
Nellie Pratt finished her studies at Howard University in 1911. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.
Nellie joined Alpha Kappa Alpha during her second year of college. While in college, she began a life of helping others. She volunteered to give clothes and food to people who needed them.
Making Alpha Kappa Alpha Official
Nellie Pratt worked with other important women to make Alpha Kappa Alpha an official organization. These women were Nellie Quander, Julia Evangeline Brooks, Norma Boyd, Minnie B. Smith, and Ethel Jones Mowbray. They officially registered the sorority on January 29, 1913. This step helped the sorority grow and start chapters at other colleges.
Teaching Career and Family Life
After graduating, Nellie Russell taught history and English for two years. She worked at Topeka Normal and Industrial School in Topeka, Kansas.
After her father passed away, Nellie Pratt wanted to be closer to her mother. So, she moved to Lawrenceville, Virginia. There, she began teaching at St. Paul Normal and Industrial School. This school is now known as St. Paul's College. It was a college for Black students.
In 1913, Nellie Pratt married Dr. J. Alvin Russell in Lawrenceville. He was the son of the school's founder. Dr. Russell became the principal of St. Paul Normal and Industrial School in 1926. He later served as president for several years starting in 1936. Nellie Russell and her husband had four sons and one daughter.
Nellie Russell also continued her own education during the summers. She earned a Master of Arts degree from Columbia University in New York. She put a lot of effort into her teaching career. She taught English at St. Paul's College for almost 50 years. She had a big impact on many students. She also helped train other teachers to be as good as she was.
Russell also advised the Alpha Upsilon chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha at St. Paul's College. In 1949, Nellie Russell helped expand Alpha Kappa Alpha even more. She helped start the Gamma Lambda Omega graduate chapter. Russell also created a special loan fund to help college students. Over the years, she held many roles in the chapter. She was president, secretary, historian, and correspondence secretary.
Nellie Russell's daughter and three daughters-in-law all became members of Alpha Kappa Alpha. Her son, James Russell, was president of St. Paul's College for 10 years. He did a great job.
Nellie Pratt Russell passed away on December 13, 1979.
Honors and Recognition
- The 1927 Who's Who in Colored America book included Nellie Pratt Russell's life story. This book featured people who made important contributions to American society.
- St. Paul's College named a building after Dr. J. Alvin and Nellie Russell. This honored their many years of contributions to the college. The college also created a scholarship in their name.
- A local chapter of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity named Nellie Russell "Mother of the Year." They also recognized her as an outstanding chapter member.
- In 2017, Nellie Russell was honored with a state historical marker. The Virginia Department of Historic Resources placed it near the Brunswick County Museum in Lawrenceville.
