Elizabeth Evelyn Wright
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth Evelyn Wright (April 3, 1872 - December 14, 1906) founded Denmark Industrial Institute in Denmark, South Carolina
, as a school for African-American youth. It is present-day Voorhees College
, a historically black college (HBCU). She was a humanitarian and educator, founding several schools for black children.
. Her father, John Wesley Wright, was an African-American carpenter
. Her mother, Virginia Rolfe, was a Cherokee
woman. Wright went to a school held in a church basement.
In 1888, she matriculated at Booker T. Washington
's Tuskegee Institute
as a night student. After two years, Wright moved to Hampton County, South Carolina to assist in a rural school for black children. After the school was burned, she returned to Tuskegee and graduated.
In 1897, she moved to Denmark
in rural Bamberg County, South Carolina
. There she started a school over a store with the support of some influential people in the community. She raised money for what she called Denmark Industrial School, modeled after Tuskegee Institute.
Ralph Voorhees and his wife, philanthropist
s from Clinton, New Jersey
, donated $5,000 for the purchase of land and construction of the school's first building. In 1902 Voorhees Industrial School opened for male and female students at the elementary
and high school
levels, and Wright was principal. Voorhees provided additional gifts during the next few years, and the General Assembly incorporated the school in his name.
For years this was the only high school for blacks in the area.
The school was later affiliated with the Protestant Episcopal Church and eventually became a fully accredited four-year college.
in Michigan
for medical treatment but died there on December 14, 1906.
Wright was buried on the Voorhees College campus.
Wright is honored with Anna Julia Haywood Cooper
with a feast day on the liturgical calendar of the Episcopal Church (USA)
on February 28.
Denmark, South Carolina
Denmark is a city in Bamberg County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 2,934 at the 2009 census.-Geography:Denmark is located at .According to the...
, as a school for African-American youth. It is present-day Voorhees College
Voorhees College
Voorhees College is a private, historically black college in Denmark, South Carolina. It is affiliated with the Episcopal Church. Voorhees College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
, a historically black college (HBCU). She was a humanitarian and educator, founding several schools for black children.
Early life and education
Wright was born on August 18, 1876 in rural Talbotton, GeorgiaTalbotton, Georgia
Talbotton is a city in Talbot County, Georgia, United States. The population was 1,019 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Talbot County. Talbotton may be best known in history as the place where the immigrant Straus family got their start in retail sales in the 19th century....
. Her father, John Wesley Wright, was an African-American carpenter
Carpenter
A carpenter is a skilled craftsperson who works with timber to construct, install and maintain buildings, furniture, and other objects. The work, known as carpentry, may involve manual labor and work outdoors....
. Her mother, Virginia Rolfe, was a Cherokee
Cherokee
The Cherokee are a Native American people historically settled in the Southeastern United States . Linguistically, they are part of the Iroquoian language family...
woman. Wright went to a school held in a church basement.
In 1888, she matriculated at Booker T. Washington
Booker T. Washington
Booker Taliaferro Washington was an American educator, author, orator, and political leader. He was the dominant figure in the African-American community in the United States from 1890 to 1915...
's Tuskegee Institute
Tuskegee University
Tuskegee University is a private, historically black university located in Tuskegee, Alabama, United States. It is a member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund...
as a night student. After two years, Wright moved to Hampton County, South Carolina to assist in a rural school for black children. After the school was burned, she returned to Tuskegee and graduated.
Career
Inspired by her experience at Tuskegee and knowing the importance of education, Wright started several schools in the area of Denmark, but they failed due to arson, jealousy, or other reasons. Wright started a night school for African-American men in Hampton County.In 1897, she moved to Denmark
Denmark, South Carolina
Denmark is a city in Bamberg County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 2,934 at the 2009 census.-Geography:Denmark is located at .According to the...
in rural Bamberg County, South Carolina
Bamberg County, South Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 16,658 people, 6,123 households, and 4,255 families residing in the county. The population density was 42 people per square mile . There were 7,130 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile...
. There she started a school over a store with the support of some influential people in the community. She raised money for what she called Denmark Industrial School, modeled after Tuskegee Institute.
Ralph Voorhees and his wife, philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
s from Clinton, New Jersey
Clinton, New Jersey
Clinton is a Town in Hunterdon County, New Jersey on the South Branch of the Raritan River. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 2,719....
, donated $5,000 for the purchase of land and construction of the school's first building. In 1902 Voorhees Industrial School opened for male and female students at the elementary
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
and high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
levels, and Wright was principal. Voorhees provided additional gifts during the next few years, and the General Assembly incorporated the school in his name.
For years this was the only high school for blacks in the area.
The school was later affiliated with the Protestant Episcopal Church and eventually became a fully accredited four-year college.
Marriage
In 1906 Wright married Martin A. Menafee, treasurer of Voorhees College. Shortly after her marriage, she became ill. She went to the well-known Battle Creek SanitariumBattle Creek Sanitarium
The Battle Creek Sanitarium, in Battle Creek, Michigan, United States, first opened on September 5, 1866, as the Western Health Reform Institute, based on the health principles advocated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. In 1876, John Harvey Kellogg became the superintendent, and his brother, W....
in Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
for medical treatment but died there on December 14, 1906.
Wright was buried on the Voorhees College campus.
Wright is honored with Anna Julia Haywood Cooper
Anna J. Cooper
Anna Julia Haywood Cooper was an author, educator, speaker and one of the most prominent African American scholars in United States history. Upon receiving her Ph.D in history from the University of Paris-Sorbonne in 1924, Cooper became the fourth African American woman to earn a doctoral degree...
with a feast day on the liturgical calendar of the Episcopal Church (USA)
Calendar of saints (Episcopal Church in the United States of America)
The veneration of saints in the Episcopal Church is a continuation of an ancient tradition from the early Church which honors important people of the Christian faith. The usage of the term "saint" is similar to Roman Catholic and Orthodox traditions. Those in the Anglo-Catholic tradition may...
on February 28.