Vashti Turley Murphy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vashti Turley Murphy
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| Born |
Lula Vashti Turley
February 1884 Washington, D.C.
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| Died | March 17, 1960 Baltimore
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| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Educator |
| Known for | One of the founders of Delta Sigma Theta |
| Spouse(s) | Carl J. Murphy |
| Children | Elizabeth Murphy Moss |
| Relatives | Vashti Murphy McKenzie (granddaughter) |
Lula Vashti Turley Murphy (born February 1884 – died March 17, 1960) was an American teacher and a leader in her community. She was one of the people who helped start Delta Sigma Theta. This was a very important sorority for Black women.
Growing Up and Learning
Lula Vashti Turley was born in 1884 in Washington, D.C.. Her parents were Hamilcar Turley and Ida H. Francis Turley. Her father worked for the government and led a church choir.
Sadly, both of her parents passed away when she was a young girl. Her older brothers and sisters also died while she was still in high school.
Vashti graduated from the M Street School in Washington, D.C. She then trained to be a teacher at the Miner Normal School. Today, this school is known as the University of the District of Columbia.
In 1913, Vashti was a student at Howard University. While there, she helped create the Delta Sigma Theta sorority. She graduated from Howard University in 1914.
Helping Her Community
Vashti Turley Murphy worked as a school teacher when she was young. She also traveled a lot. She started the Baltimore chapter of Delta Sigma Theta for women who had already graduated.
In 1932, she and Vivian Johnson Cook started the Philomathian Club. This was a study group for Black women. In the 1950s, she told all Delta sorority members to vote. She also encouraged them to join the NAACP. The NAACP works to make sure all people have equal rights.
In 1957, the Baltimore Delta Sigma Theta chapter honored her. They called her "Mother of the Year."
Vashti Murphy was very active in her community. She was on the board of directors for the Baltimore YWCA. She was also the president of the women's group at St. James Episcopal Church. She was part of the wives' club for Alpha Phi Alpha, which was her husband's fraternity. She also helped out at Morgan State College. Her husband was on the board there.
She was the first president of the women's group at Crownsville State Hospital. She also led the Parent Teacher Association at Public School No. 103 in Baltimore.
Family and Lasting Impact
In 1916, Vashti Turley married Carl J. Murphy. He was her German teacher at Howard University. Carl Murphy later became famous as a newspaper publisher.
They had five daughters together. Their names were Martha Elizabeth, Ida Ann, Carlita, Vashti, and Frances. Their oldest daughter, Elizabeth Murphy Moss, became a journalist. She wrote for newspapers and was a war reporter.
Vashti Turley Murphy's granddaughter was named after her. This granddaughter, Vashti Murphy McKenzie, became a bishop. A bishop is a high-ranking leader in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Vashti Turley Murphy passed away in 1960 in Baltimore. She was 76 years old. Many important people attended her funeral. Thurgood Marshall, who later became a Supreme Court Justice, was one of the honorary pallbearers.
The Baltimore chapter of Delta Sigma Theta created an award in her name. It is called the Vashti Turley Murphy Award. They also started a scholarship fund to help students. The community center at the Crownsville State Hospital was also named after Vashti Murphy.
