Charlotte Hawkins Brown Education

The end of slavery in 1865 was a new beginning for African Americans. Even with restrictions such as the Jim Crow Law, black codes, and segregation they decided to progress together. Doctor Charlotte Hawkins Brown was one of those people. She was an African American born in North Carolina and raised in Massachusetts, where she got her education. At the age of eighteen in 1901 Brown returned to North Carolina with an offer. The offer was to teach at Bethany Institute in Guilford County. Although Dr. Brown only had the chance to teach there for one term, she did not give up there. Brown decided to start her own school and accomplished so in 1902. Through funding, the school was a day and boarding school for blacks. Brown stressed the education …show more content…
For example, in the diner hall only proper manners were tolerated and if the expectations were any lower they could even be removed from the cafeteria. Before each meal, grace was given and strict timing of each meal was given that if you were late you would not be served food. In her living room, students would take tea, waltz, and play the piano. Her house was one of the very few at that time with high technology. Dr. Brown had a refrigerator that ran with kerosene, a wood stove, and two telephones. Her house was also one of the first in the county with plumbing. Dr. Brown was an awfully involved teacher and principal that was dedicated to expanding knowledge. For example, as a public speaker, Brown spoke at the International Congress of Women in Paris. Brown was also the founder of the N.C. Federation of Negro Women’s Clubs. As she gave speeches and participated in the movements, Palmer Memorial Institute became known nationally as a secondary schooling for African American youth as Dr. Brown spread word of her own school. The school accomplished recognition as well, as its curriculum was successful in the improvement of the black community. Brown searched for funds traveling and at other times, funding would arrive with the self-recognition of the school. The girl’s dorms, Galen Stone Hall, were fully reconstructed with the full funds of one person after a fire incident. To fully …show more content…
Having public education without segregation or racism is a relief for a lot of parents. Especially to the kids that immigrate to the United States and do not know the language, public education is a great way to teach them English and try to adapt themselves in the culture. It is difficult to imagine now kids born in the United States not knowing English or not have the opportunity to study. In the 20th Century, African Americans receiving education gave them a chance to be a part of the community as some became lawyers, authors, educators, serve in the government, etc. The people that do have public education should appreciate the opportunity because it is now a standard for jobs and careers to jump ahead in life. Experiencing Dr. Brown’s house was absolutely eye opening to that era. Dr. Brown had a house on campus! This without a doubt showed how dedicated she was to her students and school, such as, housing students like her nieces and cousins at times. The information I seized from the museum helped me understand how the African American community had to uplift themselves, even when black codes, laws, and the American society didn’t completely accept them. The school Dr. Brown created to give a safe place to socialize and educate themselves with dorms, clubs, and