Thelma Dewitty facts for kids

Thelma Dewitty (1912–1977) was a very important person in Seattle, Washington. She was the first African American teacher hired in the Seattle Public Schools. This was a big step forward for equality. Thelma Dewitty was also active in the NAACP, a group that works for civil rights. She even led the Seattle branch of the NAACP in the late 1950s.

Thelma Dewitty's Journey to Teaching

Thelma Dewitty was born in Beaumont, Texas. She started her teaching career in Corpus Christi, Texas in 1933. She earned her college degree from Wiley College in Marshall, Texas, in 1941. After that, she moved back to her hometown of Beaumont to teach in 1942.

In the summer of 1947, Thelma was studying at the University of Washington. She was also writing a math book for children. Her husband was working in Seattle at the time. Thelma hoped to stay in Seattle and become a teacher there.

Breaking Barriers in Seattle Schools

Several groups in Seattle wanted the school system to hire an African American teacher. These groups included the Seattle Urban League, the NAACP, the Civic Unity Committee, and Christian Friends for Racial Equality. They all encouraged the schools to hire Thelma Dewitty. This would help break the "color barrier," which meant ending the unfair rule that only white teachers could be hired.

However, some long-time African American families in Seattle were not happy. They felt that this important first teaching job should have gone to someone from their own community, not to a newcomer.

Her first teaching job in Seattle was at the Frank B. Cooper School. The principal, Lester Roblee, told his teachers that if they were uncomfortable working with a Black teacher, they could move to another school. No one chose to leave. One parent did not want their child in Thelma Dewitty's class and asked for a change. Principal Roblee said no to this request.

Thelma Dewitty's hiring was important for another reason too. She was a married woman. Before World War II, Seattle schools usually did not hire married women as teachers. This rule was changed during the war. It was finally removed completely in 1947, the same year Thelma Dewitty was hired. Soon after Thelma, another African American woman named Marita Johnson was hired. She taught at Broadway-Edison Technical School, which is now Seattle Central Community College.

Teaching and Community Work

From 1947 until she retired in 1973, Thelma Dewitty taught at many schools in Seattle. After the Cooper School, she taught at John Hay (1953–55), Laurelhurst (1955–56), and Sandpoint (1956–58) elementary schools. She then taught at Meany Junior High School from 1958 to 1973.

At Laurelhurst, she helped change some old school rules. For example, she challenged the rule about assigned seats in the teachers' room. She also improved the way school supplies were given out.

Besides being a teacher and working with the NAACP, Thelma Dewitty also served on other important groups. She was on the Washington State Board Against Discrimination (WSBAD). She also served on the Board of Theater Supervisors for Seattle and King County.

Thelma Dewitty and the Cooper School Legacy

Thelma Dewitty is most remembered for her time at the Frank B. Cooper School. When the old Cooper school building was given city landmark status, a big reason was that Thelma Dewitty taught there first. The National Park Service also talks a lot about Thelma Dewitty on its page about the school. The school is listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of her.

Today, the old school building is called the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. Inside, there is a special place named the Thelma Dewitty Theater.