Otelia Cromwell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Otelia Cromwell
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Otelia Cromwell, from a 1926 publication
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| Born | April 8, 1874 |
| Died | April 25, 1972 |
| Occupation | Professor |
| Parent(s) | Lucy McGuinn and John Wesley Cromwell |
| Relatives | Adelaide M. Cromwell (niece) |
Otelia Cromwell (born April 8, 1874 – died April 25, 1972) was an amazing scholar and teacher who broke barriers for African Americans, especially women. She was a Professor of English Language and Literature at Miner Teachers College. She made history by being the first African American to graduate from Smith College in 1900. Later, she became the first African-American woman to earn a Ph.D. from Yale University in 1926.
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Otelia Cromwell: A Pioneer in Education
Early Life and School Days
Otelia Cromwell was born on April 8, 1874, in Washington, D.C.. She was the oldest of six children. Her parents were Lucy McGuinn and John Wesley Cromwell. When Otelia was only 12 years old, her mother passed away. This meant Otelia had to help take care of her five younger brothers and sisters.
After finishing her studies at the Miner Normal School, Otelia taught in schools in Washington, D.C. for several years. She then went to Howard University. In 1898, she moved to Smith College, a well-known women's college. She graduated from Smith College in 1900. At that time, only two other Black students, Helen Maria Chesnutt and her sister Ethel, were at Smith College. They both graduated a year after Otelia.
A Career of Firsts
After graduating from Smith College, Otelia Cromwell continued teaching in D.C.'s public schools. These schools were segregated, meaning Black and white students attended separate schools. She taught English, German, and Latin at M Street High School and Armstrong Manual Training School.
Otelia loved learning and wanted to continue her education. She earned a master's degree from Columbia University in New York City by attending summer classes. She then received a special scholarship. This helped her earn her Ph.D. in English from Yale University in 1926. This was a huge achievement, as she was the first African-American woman to get a doctorate degree from Yale. Her important research paper, called Thomas Heywood, Dramatist, was published in 1928.
Right after getting her Ph.D., Otelia Cromwell became a professor at Miner Teachers College. She taught English Language and Literature there. Later, she became the head of the literature department. She taught at Miner Teachers College until she retired in 1944.
Throughout her life, Otelia Cromwell worked hard to support civil rights and to make sure everyone had equal opportunities, no matter their race or gender. After retiring, she wrote a major book called The Life of Lucretia Mott. She also edited a book called Readings from Negro Authors. This book was one of the first collections of writings by African-American authors.
Otelia Cromwell had a brother named John. She was also the aunt of Adelaide M. Cromwell. Adelaide was a sociologist and historian. She was the first African-American teacher at Smith College. Otelia Cromwell passed away at her family home in 1972 when she was 98 years old.
Honoring Her Legacy
Otelia Cromwell's achievements have been honored in many ways:
- In 1950, Smith College gave Otelia Cromwell an honorary doctorate degree. This is a special award that recognizes great accomplishments.
- Cromwell Academy, a private high school in Washington, D.C., was named after Otelia and her brother John. It was started in 1972 by Ruby G. Woodson. The school aimed to prepare smart students from all backgrounds for college. It closed in 1985.
- Since 1989, Smith College celebrates Otelia Cromwell Day every November. On this day, classes are cancelled. Students and teachers spend the day discussing important topics like race and diversity.
See also
