#Septima Poinsette Clark

[the-land-of-women]

“We need to be taught to study rather than believe, to inquire rather than to affirm”

Septima Poinsette Clark 

[womeninfictionandirl]

Septima Poinsette Clark by Allison Adams

“I believe unconditionally in the ability of people to respond when they are told the truth. We need to be taught to study rather than believe, to inquire rather than to affirm.”

Septima Poinsette Clark (1893-1987) was an African-American teacher and civil rights activist who set up citizenship schools for disenfranchised African Americans in the 1950s and 60s. Here, they were taught to read and write so they could pass the literacy tests required by southern states to register to vote. The citizenship schools began to spread through the south, and were adopted by Martin Luther King Jr’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1961. As a result, many began to take control of their lives and discover their full rights as citizens. Septima’s 40 years of teaching experience and her own struggles and triumphs of finding work as a black teacher in the south equipped her to design an education program that changed the course of history and empowered many African Americans to take control of their lives and discover their full rights as citizens. She became known as the “Queen mother” or “Grandmother” of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States.

[afrotumble]

Septima Poinsette Clark a teacher and civil rights activist, was born on May 3, 1898.

[cartermagazine]

Today In History

Septima Poinsette Clark a teacher and civil rights activist, was born on this date May 3, 1898.

As part of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Clark set up citizenship schools that helped many African Americans register to vote. She received the “Living Legacy Award” from President Jimmy Carter.

CARTER™️ Magazine

[valentincflores]

starter for: anyone (CLOSED) location: septima poinsette clark library

Valentina had been spending a lot of time at the library lately, looking up rules and regulations around opening a business, town records, business best practices, and more. Making herself comfortable in one of the large chairs, she quickly became so engrossed in her current read, she hadn’t noticed when someone took the chair beside hers.

She did notice, however, when suddenly a couple somewhere behind her, started screaming at each other over the spoiled milk the woman had found in the fridge that morning. Cringing, Val instantly shrunk back into her seat, in an attempt to simply disappear. Her eyes moved up to the person she now realized occupied the seat beside her, checking if they were hearing what she was too. “How many times do you think Harv over there has put spoiled milk back in the fridge before?” she asked in a whisper.

[valkyries-things]

SEPTIMA POINSETTE CLARK // ACTIVIST

“She was an African American educator and civil rights activist. Clark developed the literacy and citizenship workshops that played an important role in the drive for voting rights and civil rights for African Americans. Her work was commonly underappreciated by Southern male activists. She became known as the “Queen mother” or “Grandmother” of the Civil Rights Movement.”

[petervintonjr]

"I'm not going to be the teacher. We're going to learn together. You're going to teach me some things, and maybe there are a few things I might be able to teach you, but I don't consider myself a teacher. I just feel that I'm here to learn with you. We'll learn things together."

As an adult educator myself, I couldn't help but be drawn into the fascinating life and philosophies of Bernice Violanthe Robinson. Born February 7, 1914 in Charleston, South Carolina --a day that saw snowfall in Charleston for the first time in more than a century. Robinson's mother, Martha Elizabeth (née Anderson) Robinson took this as a sign that her daughter would spend her life "disturbing the elements." Martha was herself sister to Septima Poinsette Clark's mother (see Lesson #74 in this series), and Bernice's own principles would similarly coalesce around the twin premises of education and citizenship, much like her famous cousin.

In 1929 Bernice moved from South Carolina to Harlem, New York with the intention of becoming a musician, but after a period in the famed garment district, her talents as a seamstress took prominence and she graduated from Poro School of Cosmetology. In 1947 she returned to Johns Island, South Carolina to care for her ageing parents, and with her professional talents was able to open her own salon --a form of economic independence not available to Black women in most other careers. At the time beauticians were traditionally well-regarded amongst civil rights workers, not only because they were known and respected in a community, but also because of their almost-stereotypical role as "the good listeners," and that as self-employed entrepreneurs were less prone to backlash from punitive employers. By all accounts a socially engaging and affable personality with an easy talent for friendly first impressions, Bernice joined the NAACP and made good use of her salon as a "hub" for local activism, and made many contacts and acquaintances.

In 1956 Robinson attended a workshop hosted by the Highlander Folk School (an organization that itself certainly merits its own course of study); her cousin Septima Clark also attended. Ostensibly the topic was about desegregation but over the course of the session the focus turned to civic literacy and educating would-be voters. Bernice expressed an interest in helping to better educate the people of Johns Island but lamented her lack of professional teaching credentials. Clark countered by suggesting that her cousin was the ideal candidate for such a role precisely because she lacked such a credential; that she was perfectly suited to the task because of her lack of formal training --no preconceived notions.

Thusly "voluntold," Bernice threw herself into her new calling; in five months (!) she developed lesson plans, curricula, and distributable materials that would lead to SCLC voter-registration workshops in communities well beyond Johns Island; eventually catching on in Charleston itself. The growth of these first Citizenship Schools in turn fed into the enthusiasm and the missions of CORE, the Freedom Riders, and the SNCC --all of which reinforced one another as they continued to educate and motivate scores of citizens who had never before stepped into a voting booth.

As an adult educator, Bernice also adhered to the principle of never stopping learning: in 1967 she completed a University of Wisconsin correspondence course in community development, and also found time to secure an additional degree in interior design. Robinson stepped down from her behind-the-scenes SCLC role in 1970, having quietly developed what amounted to the most successful and widespread literacy campaign in modern American history. She pivoted to developing curricula for the South Carolina Commission for Farm Workers (SCCFW); and then in 1972 --in what I can only assume is the inherent desire of the adult educator to yet again try something new and different-- she ran for Congress.

[lily-sanapaw]

Who: @papaflynn Where: Septima Poinsette Clark Library

Lily was browsing the new to the library shelf, slowly walking around the four walled shelf reading all the titles and taking a book to read the summary when it caught her attention. Just as Lily was reaching for one book that looked interesting another hand reached out and their hands collided. Her hand shot back instantly. Sorry. She signed and looked up at the man watching his lips as she gestured for him to go ahead and take the book if he wanted.

[alex-caldwell]

CLOSED starter for ( @theawaldrof ) at SEPTIMA POINSETTE CLARK LIBRARY, just after NOON.

Storytime at the library meant Alex could safely trust Emmy in someone else's care for a time, seated only a few feet away in front of him, while he was stationed behind his laptop at a nearby table, and the storyteller had captured his daughter's attention. Every so often, the toddler would twist in her seat, face her father, and giggle — and he tried to ignore the nagging concern that she was checking to make sure he was still there.

He'd just adjusted in his seat when the telltale sound of falling books averted his attention from the screen in front of him. Bending at the waist without thinking, he plucked a fallen book from the floor where it landed a few feet away from him to hand it to the unlucky person and... came face-to-face with Thea Waldrof.

Shit.

"Um, hi?"

[valentinaflorcs]

starter for: @henryxmonroe location: septima poinsette clark library

One of the unexpected perks of moving to Briar Ridge was definitely how active the deaf community was in the town. There was always at least one monthly event and lots of volunteering opportunities. With planning for the yoga studio in full swing, Val had been incredibly busy lately, but her schedule finally matched up and she was able to attend an ASL reading event at the local library. With a bit of a pep in her step, Val walked into the library and after greeting some of her friends who she had gotten to know from past events, she headed over towards the organizer to ask where she could help. The woman signed that Val would be paired up with someone who would be reading a book out loud to a group of kids and Val would then translate into ASL. Val nodded emphatically before asking who she should pair up with. The woman checked her spreadsheet and found that there was only one other volunteer left and pointed towards the back of the room. Val headed in that direction, only to stop dead in her tracks when she spotted just who the lady meant. "Henry??" she hadn't even meant to say his name out loud, but the shock of seeing him after all this time had so completely caught her off guard.

[protoslacker]

Septima Poinsette Clark pioneered the link between education and political organizing, especially political organizing aimed at gaining the right to vote. “Literacy means liberation,” she stressed knowing that education was key to gaining political, economic, and social power.

SNCC Digital Gateway. Septima Clark

Thread at Twitter.

[thecoinshop]

Great price on this 2020-P South Carolina American Innovation Dollar ONLY: $3.00 2020-P South Carolina American Innovation DollarThe American Innovation $1 Coin representing South Carolina honors educator and civil rights activist Septima Poinsette Clark. https://www.thecoinshop.shop/american-innovation-dollars/2020-p-south-carolina-american-innovation-dollar View MORE American Innovation Dollars https://www.thecoinshop.shop/american-innovation-dollars

[lboogie1906]

Septima Poinsette Clark (May 3, 1898 – December 15, 1987) is perhaps the only woman to play a significant role in educating African Americans about full citizenship rights without gaining sufficient recognition. She was born the second of eight children in Charleston, South Carolina, to Peter Poinsette, a former enslaved, and his wife Victoria Warren Anderson, a laundress. She and her family struggled to pay for a high school education, and she graduated from Avery Normal Institute in 1916. She married Navy seaman Nerie Clark (1919-1925). The couple’s first child died in infancy; a son was born in 1925, but her husband died shortly after. By teaching in segregated schools in various locations, she earned a BA from Benedict College and an MA from Hampton Institute.

She not only taught young students, but she also held informal literacy classes for adults. She pushed an education and equal rights agenda in numerous organizations such as the YWCA, Federation of Women’s Clubs, Council of Negro Women, and the NAACP.

In 1956 when South Carolina banned membership in the NAACP, she lost her teaching job and pension when she refused to comply. She became Director of Workshops at the Highlander Folk School in Tennessee. When this program was absorbed into the SCLC, Clark and her cousin Bernice Robinson created the first citizenship school to educate African Americans in literacy, state government, and election procedures. Traveling throughout the South, Clark trained teachers for citizenship schools and assisted in SCLC marches and protests, working with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Andrew Young. Dr. King acknowledged Clark when he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 by insisting that she accompany him to Sweden. She wrote two autobiographies outlining her nonviolent philosophy, Echo in My Soul (1962) and Ready from Within (1986). #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence #alphakappaalpha

[mdsc951]

BLACK PAST PHOTO OF THE DAY: You probably recognize the lady on the right as Rosa Parks. But do know the lady on the left? She's often referred to as the “Grandmother of the American Civil Rights Movement." This daughter of a former slave was born in the spring of 1898 and went on to co-found the first "citizenship school" to educate blacks in literacy, state government and election procedures. Her name is Septima Poinsette Clark, and you can learn more about her on our website (link: http://bit.ly/19zuboo), and we kindly ask that you please Like and Share this post if you do! (at Women's History Month - March) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp0TZ9jJMKo/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[cartermagazine]

Today In History

Septima Poinsette Clark a teacher and civil rights activist, was born on this date May 3, 1898.

As part of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Clark set up citizenship schools that helped many African Americans register to vote. She received the “Living Legacy Award” from President Jimmy Carter.

CARTER™️ Magazine carter-mag.com #wherehistoryandhiphopmeet #historyandhiphop365 #cartermagazine #carter #staywoke #septimaclark #blackhistorymonth #blackhistory

[valentincflores]

starter for: @lily-sanapaw location: septima poinsette clark library

One of the things that Val had instantly loved about Briar Ridge was its' deaf and hard of hearing community. Upon moving to the town six years ago, she had worried that it was too small to have much of a community, but it did and she had instantly worked her way into it, volunteering and giving back in any way that she could.

When she'd heard there was an ASL book reading at the library, she'd happily signed up. As she made her way into the building, she spotted a newly familiar face. Val quickly navigated her way through the crowd until she approached Lily. Reaching out to get the woman's attention, she waited until Lily had turned to face her to sign, "Hi friend!" she greeted with a smile, briefly glancing over her shoulder at the crowd around them. "Are you volunteering today too?" The pair had met shortly after Lily had moved to town and had immediately hit it off at a deaf/hard of hearing event. It was nice to have someone who just understood you and a big chunk of your background the way other deaf people did.