Virginia E. Walker Broughton facts for kids

Virginia E. (Walker) Broughton (born March 1, 1856 – died September 21, 1934) was an amazing African-American author and a Baptist missionary. She was one of the first students at Fisk College in 1867. Later, she became a respected religious scholar. She wrote articles for newspapers and magazines like the National Baptist Union.

As a key member of the Baptist church, she worked hard to make sure the voices of African-American religious women were heard. She wanted their concerns to be addressed by the church leaders. Virginia Broughton was officially licensed as a missionary. Her teaching, writing, and preaching were very popular with everyone.

Virginia Broughton's Early Life and Education

Virginia Walker was born free on March 1, 1856. Her parents, Nelson and Eliza Walker, lived in Nashville, Tennessee. Her father, Nelson Walker, was able to work and save money to buy his family's freedom. He later became a lawyer, one of the first African-American lawyers in Davidson County, Tennessee.

Starting at Fisk College

In 1867, Virginia Broughton was one of the first four students to attend Fisk College. At that time, Fisk offered classes from primary school up to higher grades. It also had a special program to train teachers.

In 1875, Virginia graduated with high honors. She earned her teaching license. Then, in 1878, she earned a Master's degree in teaching, also from Fisk. She, along with America W. Robinson, were the very first students to enroll at Fisk when it opened. Virginia Broughton, James Dallas Burrus, and his brother John Houston Burrus were also the first African Americans to graduate from a college in the Southern United States.

Her Teaching Career

After college, Broughton started teaching in public schools in Memphis, Tennessee. She taught there until 1887. Then, she took a new job with the B.B.N.&I. (Bible Bands) Institute in Memphis. This new role marked the official start of her important missionary work.

In August 1902, Virginia Walker was chosen for a big role. She became the National Corresponding Secretary for the National Baptist Convention. This meant she helped connect and organize religious women across the country.

Family Life

Virginia Walker married Julius A. O. Broughton Sr. They had five children together: Elizabeth, Emma, Selina, Virginia, and Julius Jr.

Virginia Broughton passed away on September 21, 1934. She was 78 years old. Her husband had passed away a few years earlier, in 1930.

Virginia Broughton's Published Books

Virginia Broughton was also a talented writer. She wrote several books that shared her experiences and teachings.

• Broughton, Virginia E. Walker (1895). A Brief Sketch of the Life and Labors of Mrs. V. W. Broughton, Bible Band Missionary, for Middle and West Tennessee. This book shared a short story of her life and work as a missionary.
• Broughton, Virginia E. Walker (1904). Woman's Work: As Gleaned from the Women of the Bible, and the Bible Women of Modern Times. This book looked at the roles of women in the Bible and how they relate to women in her own time.
• Broughton, Virginia E. Walker (1907). Twenty Year's Experience of a Missionary. This book shared her experiences over two decades of missionary work. You can find the full text of this book online.