Theodora Fonteneau Rutherford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Theodora Fonteneau Rutherford
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Theodora Fonteneau Rutherford, from a 1924 publication.
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Theodora Velma Fonteneau
January 28, 1904 Jeanerette, Louisiana
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| Died | August 15, 1993 (aged 89) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | accountant |
Theodora Velma Fonteneau Rutherford (born January 28, 1904, died August 15, 1993) was an amazing African-American accountant and teacher. She was also very active in community groups. In 1960, she made history by becoming the first Black Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in West Virginia.
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Theodora's Early Life and Family
Theodora Velma Fonteneau was born in Jeanerette, Louisiana. She grew up in Houston, Texas. Her mother was a teacher, and her father owned a restaurant. When she was 15, in 1919, she was chosen as the "Goddess of Liberty" in a special parade. This parade celebrated Emancipation Day in Houston, marking the end of slavery.
Theodora's Education Journey
Theodora was a brilliant student. She went to Howard University and graduated in 1923. She finished at the very top of her class in the School of Commerce and Finance. The next year, she achieved another first. She was the first Black student to earn a master's degree in accounting from Columbia University. Her master's paper was about how to set up an accounting system for a small school.
Becoming a Certified Public Accountant
After finishing school, Theodora wanted to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). This is a special license that lets you do accounting for many different businesses. However, New York had a rule that required work experience. No accounting firm would hire a Black woman, even with her excellent grades.
This changed in 1959 when the rules were updated. Theodora was finally able to get her CPA license. She became the first Black CPA in West Virginia. She was also the first Black woman to join the West Virginia Society of Public Accountants.
Theodora's Career and Community Work
After graduate school, Theodora moved to West Virginia in 1925. She helped create and build the business program at West Virginia Collegiate Institute. This school is now known as West Virginia State University.
Teaching and Family Life
Theodora married Charles Robert Rutherford, who also worked at the university. Because of rules about family members working together, she had to leave her teaching job. She stopped teaching from 1933 to 1957. After her husband passed away, she returned to teaching. She taught at the college until she retired in 1973.
Theodora's only child, Rosalie, had health challenges. Theodora lovingly raised her granddaughter, Elvira Morgan.
Helping the Community
Theodora did a lot to help her community. She helped start the West Virginia Collegiate Credit Union. She was its first treasurer and later served on its board. She also led the West Virginia Consumer Association. She even taught free classes to help people prepare their taxes.
In 1963, she received a special award called a Ford Foundation fellowship. This helped her study for her doctorate degree at Indiana University. After retiring from teaching, she ran her own accounting business. She mostly helped people with their taxes. She encouraged young Black women to become accountants, saying it was a great career choice.
Involvement in Organizations
Theodora was very active in many groups. She was a founding member and first president of the Alpha Kappa Alpha (ΑΚΑ) sorority chapter in Charleston, West Virginia. This sorority is a group for college women. She also worked with the League of Women Voters, which helps people understand politics. She was involved with the Girl Scouts and even ran a summer camp for girls in the 1930s.
In 1983, Howard University honored Theodora for all her achievements. She was recognized alongside other famous alumni like Debbie Allen.
Theodora's Legacy
Theodora Fonteneau Rutherford left a lasting impact. The Black Business Students Association at Columbia University has a scholarship named after her. This scholarship helps students and honors her as the first Black graduate of the business school.
