Peyton Finley facts for kids
Peyton Finley was an important leader in Alabama during a time of big changes. He worked as a doorkeeper for the Alabama House of Representatives, which is like the state's law-making group. He also helped write the state's rules as a delegate at the 1867 Alabama Constitutional Convention.
Finley was a very active member of the Alabama State Board of Education. This board helps decide how schools in Alabama are run. He cared a lot about education for everyone.
A Champion for Education
Peyton Finley played a huge role in creating and growing schools for African Americans. After the state set up Lincoln School in Marion, Alabama, he worked hard to make it even bigger. He wanted it to become a university.
Over a few years, his efforts helped the school grow into the Lincoln Normal School and University for the Education of the Colored Teachers and Students. A "normal school" was a special type of school that trained teachers. In 1875, Finley suggested creating eight normal schools across Alabama. He wanted four for African American teachers and four for white teachers.
A Leader in Civil Rights
In 1866, Peyton Finley was the marshal for the first Emancipation Day parade in Montgomery, Alabama. Being a marshal means he led the parade. This parade celebrated freedom and was held on New Year's Day. Important people, including the governor, attended this special event.
Finley was also the first African American person to be appointed to the Alabama State Board of Education. This was a very important step for civil rights and education in Alabama. He proposed two bills to set up the eight normal schools he envisioned. These schools would train teachers in cities like Montgomery, Sparta, Marion, and Huntsville. Each school would have a group of leaders called a board of commissioners.
Remembering His Legacy
Today, an apartment building at Alabama State University is named after Peyton Finley. This helps remember his important work and his dedication to education and equality in Alabama.
