Octavia B. Wynbush facts for kids

Octavia Beatrice Wynbush (1898–1972) was an amazing African American writer and teacher. She became well-known during the time of the Civil Rights Movement in America. Octavia Wynbush spent many important years in Kansas City, Missouri. There, she taught English and German at Lincoln High School.

One of her most famous stories was The Wishing Wheel, published in 1941. Her writings often appeared in The Crisis, a magazine from the NAACP. She is also remembered for her part in the Harlem Renaissance, a big cultural movement in America.

Early Life and Education

Octavia B. Wynbush was born in 1898 in Washington, Pennsylvania. Her parents were Abraham and Mary Sheppard Wynbush. We don't know much about her very early life.

When she was in high school, Octavia was very good at English, history, and German. She loved learning these subjects.

College Years

In 1920, Octavia earned her first college degree. She got a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in German from Oberlin College. While at Oberlin, she was also a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

Later, in 1931, Octavia received a special award. It was a Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship. This award helped her go back to school. In 1934, she earned a master's degree in English. She studied at the Teachers College at Columbia University. Many of her stories published in The Crisis magazine were written during her time at Columbia.

Teaching Career

After college, Octavia Wynbush started her career as a teacher. Her first job was at Straight College. She taught at several different schools in the southern United States.

In 1936, Octavia began teaching at Lincoln High School in Kansas City, Missouri. She taught both English and German classes there.

Writing for Kids

Before Lincoln High, she taught at Sumner High School in Kansas City, Kansas. While at Sumner, she wrote a play called "If A Man Dies". This play was even broadcast on KFKU, a radio station from the University of Kansas.

At Lincoln High, Octavia worked with another teacher, Ms. George Green. Together, they wrote and drew pictures for The Wishing Wheel. This was a children's story about a boy with a very active imagination. It became her most famous work.

Published Works

Besides The Wishing Wheel, Octavia Wynbush had many other writings published. Her work often appeared in The Crisis, The Pittsburg Courier, and Opportunity Magazine.

Her short story, "The Noose", was chosen for a special book. It was featured in Edward J. O'Brien's collection, The Best Short Stories of America, in 1931.

Later Life and Legacy

In the summer of 1940, Octavia Wynbush went on a unique road trip. She traveled through four different states in the U.S. During her trip, she interviewed many former slaves. She collected their personal stories and historical photographs. Octavia loved taking road trips when she wasn't writing or teaching.

In 1963, when she was 65 years old, Octavia married Lewis Strong. This was her first and only marriage. A year later, in 1964, she retired from her long teaching career.

Octavia Wynbush passed away in 1972. The exact cause and date of her death are not known. She is remembered for her important contributions as a writer and educator during a significant time in American history.