Of the People and For the People!
In my previous post about “Stagecoach” Mary Fields, I promised my next pioneering woman would be as subtitled above. Let me now present to you:
Lucy Stanton Day Sessions (1831 – 1910)
What Was Lucy’s First Claim to Fame?
In 1850, she became the first African-American woman to graduate from a college or university in the United States at *(Oberlin Collegiate Institute, Ohio! Amazingly, she achieved this when women weren’t allowed to attend most colleges and universities. Moreover, when slavery still existed in the nation. But Lucy only received a diploma versus a B.A. (Bachelor of Arts). That’s because her four-year “Ladies Literary Course” lacked studies in foreign languages and higher mathematics . *The institute changed its name to Oberlin College in 1864.
Either way, Lucy paved the way for other women and African Americans, but it took some time. On the one hand, Oberlin admitted people of color and women for studies from the day it opened in 1833; on the other, it took until 1835 and 1837 to begin admitting black students regularly and women into its baccalaureate program, respectively. Three of the first four women completed their studies, earning B.A.s in 1841. In 1862, Oberlin awarded the first bachelor’s degree in the United States to an African-American woman (Mary Jane Patterson).
Partial Image of Oberlin Collegiate Institute, Ohio (circa 1840s)
Lucy, the Student:
Lucy was far from shy. In 1849, she became the president of the Ladies’ Literary Society at Oberlin. Accordingly, she accepted an invitation to speak at her graduation. Her speech, “A Plea for the Oppressed,” called for her audience to band together and end slavery in the United States.
While at Oberlin, she met fellow classmate William Howard Day, and they married in 1852.
What Was Lucy’s Second Claim to Fame?
In 1853, she became the first African-American woman to publish a fictional work! She wrote a short story on slavery titled “Charles and Clara Hays” for The Aliened American, a weekly newspaper. It was the first in Cleveland, Ohio, to be operated and edited by African-American men, including her husband. (It’s also claimed to be the third of its kind in the United States).
Who or What Guided Lucy to Fame?
Lucy’s greatest motivator was probably her step-father, *John Brown. Lucy considered him her real father since she never knew her biological father, who had died before she reached two years of age. *To clarify, he was not the John Brown who was hung in 1859 for attempting to arm and help slaves fight for their freedom with guns he stole from the federal armory at Harper’s Ferry, Virginia.
Why Was Lucy’s Step-Father a Man to Follow?
John Brown was a savvy black businessman and abolitionist. As a result of his anti-slavery beliefs, he was active on the Underground Railroad. He sheltered lots of runaway slaves. For instance, Lucy recalled there sometimes being up to thirteen all at once crowded into their home.
John Brown strongly supported education for African-American children. Since they weren’t allowed to attend schools in Cleveland, Ohio, he built one for them. Lucy was forced to attend her step-father’s free school too, even though she was born free. But I imagine she embraced it.
Above all, John Brown was a good parent. He raised Lucy to want a higher education and to battle injustices, especially slavery and unequal rights between the sexes and races.
Lucy Did Well by Her Step-Father with a Varied Career:
Firstly, as a principal of a free school for African-American children (Columbus, Ohio).
Secondly, as a teacher of freedmen in Buxton (Canada) after she followed her first husband there. And, later, in Georgia and Mississippi. (In Mississippi, she met Levi Sessions, and they married in 1878. This after she and her first husband had divorced in 1872).
Thirdly, in Cleveland, Ohio, in and around the above times, as:
An assistant editor to her husband for his newspaper;
A librarian;
An author;
A member of the Freedmen’s Aid Society;
A seamstress (because Lucy had to feed, clothe, and shelter herself and her daughter, Florence, after William Howard Day abandoned his wife and child in 1858);
A member of several organizations in post-Civil War Tennessee. In one, for instance, she served as the president of a local Women’s Christian Temperance Union. In all, she continued to support equal rights for all; and
Finally, as a founder of a club in California that sheltered and helped develop freed African-American women.
In Conclusion of My Post About Lucy Stanton Day Sessions:
I hope that I’ve successfully portrayed her as a woman “Of the People and For the People.” She might’ve been born into freedom and a privileged home, but she certainly did her part in helping to better the lives of especially her fellow African-Americans.
Also, I hope that you’ve enjoyed my post and that I’ve whet your appetite to learn more about Lucy Stanton Day Sessions at the following places:
Video on My Complimentary Civil War Women Website
Article Online at Black Past.org: Lucy Stanton Day Sessions
Paperback/Digital/Audio Book: Sorry, folks! Nothing turned up in my search for a book on this pioneering woman. Hmmm, maybe I should write Lucy Stanton Day Sessions’ story?
Anyway. . .
Stay Tuned for the Next Installment of Pioneering Women of Civil War America, Which Promises to Feature a Pioneering Woman With a. . .
“Penchant for Journalism!”