Black
History Is West Virginia History & list of famous african americans
Washington, DC (HNN) -- As Black History Month again draws to a
close, it is the perfect time to reflect on the accomplishments of so many
black figures who were intimately connected to the Mountain State.
To fully appreciate the breadth and depth of the contributions of these
heroes, we need only to imagine what life in the Mountain State -what life
across America - would be like without them.
From the Desk of U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall, representing WV's
3rd Congressional District found at http://www.huntingtonnews.net
Feb. 24, 2007
We might not even be celebrating this special month, for example, were it not
for the efforts of Carter G. Woodson, referred to by many as the "father of
black history," a son of slaves who came to Huntington, West Virginia, and
worked in our coal mines until he could afford enough money for an education.
Once firmly established in a successful academic career which included West
Virginia State College and Howard University in Washington, D.C, Woodson used
this education to bring to life the story of black Americans missing from many
of our history books. In 1926, he gained helped establish "Negro History
Week," and in 1976 Woodson's week was expanded into the Black History Month
we celebrate today.
And where would America be without the contributions of Booker T. Washington,
undoubtedly West Virginia's most famous African American? Poverty stricken but
free at last, young Washington and his family made a perilous journey on foot
through deep forests and across the New River Gorge, from Franklin County,
Virginia to Kanawha County, West Virginia. Alongside his father, Booker T.
Washington went to work in the salt furnaces at Malden when he was only nine and
later in a coal mine along Campbell's Creek. Naturally intelligent and starved
for an education, Washington left Malden at 16 and walked the 200 miles to
Hampton Institute in Virginia. Upon graduation, he returned to Malden to teach
school for both black children and adults.
Like Carter G. Woodson, Booker T. Washington rose to national prominence. He
established the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, which still educates many today,
and he helped set up the National Negro Business League. Washington wrote twelve
books, the most famous of which -- "Up From Slavery" -- recounted his
early life in Malden, still read widely in our schools today.
Other West Virginia sons and daughters, too, have made lasting contributions
that have changed the landscape of our land and our intellect:
J.R. Clifford, born in Grant County, fought in the Civil War and then came back
home to fight for civil rights. A lawyer and a journalist, he brought the first
legal challenge of the state's segregated school system to court, and worked
with his friend W.E.B. Dubois to found the Niagara Movement of 1905.
Christopher Harrison Payne, born a slave in Monroe County, broke ground in black
journalism, establishing three newspapers, The West Virginia Enterprise, The
Pioneer and the Mountain Eagle. In 1896 he was elected to the state legislature
as a Republican delegate from Fayette County, the first black to serve in the
West Virginia legislature.
Minnie Buckingham Harper of Keystone, the first African American woman to become
a member of a legislative body in the United States, broke ground for countless
women in 1928 when she was appointed to fill the term of her late husband.
Leon Sullivan, born in Charleston, was brought up in a dirty alley in one of the
city's most poverished sections, worked in a steel mill to pay his tuition at
West Virginia State College, and rose from poverty to found the Opportunity
Industrialization Center, a job-training organization with branches around the
world.
Helen Dobson of Raleigh County, well-known throughout West Virginian for her
beautiful voice, performed at the inauguration of two of West Virginia's
governors and served as public school teacher for many years. Her spirit is
still strong in southern West Virginia and it was with Ms. Dobson in mind that I
signed on as a co-sponsor of a bill that designates the African American
spiritual as a national treasure. This bill passed the House of Representatives
earlier this month.
This, of course, is just a small sampling of so many strong African Americans
who have made a difference. Add to this list the countless men and women who
worked long hours for less pay to provide for a better future for their
children, the many men and women who fought and continue to fight for our
liberties in the armed forces, the men and women who through their compassion
and quiet strength, were role models by which we all can live. Also add to this
list the many African Americans who continue today to work for a better West
Virginia.
We are deeply indebted to our educators, folks like Bluefield State President
Albert Walker; Maurice Cooley, Director of African American Programs at Marshall
University; Betty Jane Cleckley, Vice President for Marshall University
Multicultural Affairs; Loretta Young, Vice President for Development at Concord
University; and Roslyn Clark-Artis, Chief Advancement Officer at Mountain State
University. These men and women, and so many others, like Thomas Evans, Raleigh
County educator and principal of Stratton High School and Rev. William Law,
founder of the Beckley World Mission, whom both passed away recently, have
raised the torch that Carter T. Woodson lit so many years ago.
Too often, the history of black Americans is not fully taught or remembered. Let
this annual return of black history month spur us all to celebrate
African-American contributions to the greatness of West Virginia and to commend
those carrying on this proud tradition of service today.
Black
History Is West Virginia History & list of famous african americans