Education is one of the most powerful tools to have in today’s society, especially because of what it has taken for African-Americans to have the right to attend school or even learn how to read and write for that matter. Many persons sacrificed their lives for those who are able to go to integrated schools today and be given the same opportunities as any other student regardless of skin color. Being able to achieve a higher education is a great deal for African-Americans. Black men and women coming together to get a decent education to become better people in the world and stand for what took years of fighting for are why education is valued and taken very seriously. It is because of many contributors who stood their ground for a fair and
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Along with academic studies, young black women were encouraged particularly to learn ways to help build themselves up, as well as their families, to better their homes so they could make a living for themselves in the future. It was Mary’s belief that “students should learn basic skills to function in society so they would be self-sufficient and socially adept” because so many blacks were undereducated and impoverished already (Long 10). McCluskey writes about how Mary stood for her vision of “black empowerment which was made possible by taking advantage of the opportunities in education and life” (10). Mary expressed the idea that “children must never lose their zeal for building a better world. They must not be discouraged from aspiring toward greatness, for they are to be the leaders of tomorrow” (Robertson …show more content…
Although it was not an easy journey for Mary, she did have help along the way. Lucy Craft Laney was an educator and mentor who inspired Mary to bring educational opportunities for blacks in her own country. Mary taught at Lucy Laney’s school in Augusta, Georgia for about a year before opening up her own school (Robertson 15). Mary was faced with financial issues, racism, discrimination, and lack of resources when the school opened but she did not give up and kept her faith strong in God. In the words of Mary, “I leave you a thirst for education” (Dierenfield 217). Mary also expressed the idea that she “could not rest while there is a single Negro boy or girl lacking a chance to prove his worth” (Berry
Along with academic studies, young black women were encouraged particularly to learn ways to help build themselves up, as well as their families, to better their homes so they could make a living for themselves in the future. It was Mary’s belief that “students should learn basic skills to function in society so they would be self-sufficient and socially adept” because so many blacks were undereducated and impoverished already (Long 10). McCluskey writes about how Mary stood for her vision of “black empowerment which was made possible by taking advantage of the opportunities in education and life” (10). Mary expressed the idea that “children must never lose their zeal for building a better world. They must not be discouraged from aspiring toward greatness, for they are to be the leaders of tomorrow” (Robertson …show more content…
Although it was not an easy journey for Mary, she did have help along the way. Lucy Craft Laney was an educator and mentor who inspired Mary to bring educational opportunities for blacks in her own country. Mary taught at Lucy Laney’s school in Augusta, Georgia for about a year before opening up her own school (Robertson 15). Mary was faced with financial issues, racism, discrimination, and lack of resources when the school opened but she did not give up and kept her faith strong in God. In the words of Mary, “I leave you a thirst for education” (Dierenfield 217). Mary also expressed the idea that she “could not rest while there is a single Negro boy or girl lacking a chance to prove his worth” (Berry