Roberta Byrd Barr facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Roberta Byrd Barr
|
|
|---|---|
Barr in 1966
|
|
| Born | January 4, 1919 |
| Died | June 23, 1993 (aged 74) |
| Education | |
| Occupation | Educator, librarian, television presenter |
Roberta Byrd Barr (born January 4, 1919 – died June 23, 1993) was an American hero. She worked as an educator, librarian, and even a TV host. She was also a civil rights activist, meaning she fought for fairness and equal rights for everyone. From the mid-1960s to the early 1970s, she hosted a TV show called Face to Face. On her show, she talked about important topics like race, education, and helping people. In 1973, she made history by becoming the first woman principal of a high school in Seattle.
Contents
Roberta Barr's Early Life and School
Roberta Spencer was born in Tacoma, Washington on January 4, 1919. She grew up in the state of Washington.
She went to Lincoln High School in Seattle. Later, she attended Wilberforce University and the New School of Social Research. Roberta also studied at the University of Washington. There, she earned a bachelor's degree in sociology and elementary education. She also got a master's degree in librarianship.
Roberta Barr's Career as an Educator
Roberta Barr worked as a teacher and librarian in Seattle schools. In 1966, Seattle schools faced a big challenge. Many students and families protested because schools were not integrating. This meant Black and white students were still mostly separate.
During this time, a "Freedom School" was set up. These schools taught students who were boycotting the regular schools. Roberta Barr led one of these Freedom Schools. This showed her strong belief in equal education for all. That same year, she joined the Washington State Board Against Discrimination. This group worked to stop unfair treatment.
In 1968, she became the vice principal of Franklin High School. This happened after 150 students held a sit-in. They were protesting because Black female students were expelled for wearing their hair in natural styles. Roberta Barr supported the students. In 1973, she became the principal of Lincoln High School. This was a very important moment. She was the first woman and the first African American to be a principal in the Seattle Public Schools district.
Roberta Barr's Work in TV and Acting
Roberta Barr also had a career in acting. She starred in a play called A Raisin in the Sun. She acted alongside Greg Morris, a famous actor.
She hosted a TV show on KCTS-TV called Let's Imagine. On this show, she told stories for young children. This showed her love for teaching and connecting with kids.
From 1965 to 1970, she hosted Face to Face on KING-TV. Later, from 1971 to 1972, it moved to KCTS. This show was special because it let the audience join in. Roberta Barr interviewed people who had strong, sometimes unpopular, ideas. One famous person she interviewed was Cesar Chavez, a leader for farm workers' rights. The show's producer, Jean Walkinshaw, said Roberta "woke up the community." She helped people notice important issues that had been ignored.
Roberta Barr's Lasting Impact
Roberta Byrd Barr left a big mark on her community. A Seattle group, originally called Central Area Motivation Program, was renamed Byrd Barr Place in 2018. This was done to honor Roberta Barr. She used to write for the group's newsletter. Today, Byrd Barr Place helps low-income people across Washington State.
Her photo hangs in the Douglass-Truth Branch of the Seattle Public Library. This honors her work to build the library's African-American Collection. She helped make sure that stories and information about African American history were available to everyone.
