Evening star., 1936-08-02

pears in recent num0er OF IHe
Oberlin College Alumni Magazine.
Mrs. Terrell, prominent as q COL
ored educator and lecturer ,Das for
II years member of the Board OF
Education in the District.
BY CARRIE CHAPMAN Gait.
There Is one graduate Of Oberlin
that I may know better and admire
more than most of her fellow alumni.
Mary Church Terrell, class OF 1884.
by exceptional ability has brought hon.
or to her college, her sex and her race.
In 1898, 38 years ago, she spoke upon
the program of the annual convention
of the National American Woman Suf-
frage Association. 1t was long and
illustrious procession of men and wom-
en- who marched through the years
across that platform. Speakers were
invited because their presence lent in
f1uence to our cause, or because they
could make telling, convincing ad-
dress For the latter reason Mrs. Ter
rell had been invited. She presented
a pleasing appearance and possessed
ence." Add a musical, well-modulated
voice and any audience might have
been prepared for an enjoyable half
hour, but the convention was astound-
ed by her logic and eloquence. Her
address was pronounced the gem OF
the entire program. No one who heard
her then ever forgot the occasion or
failed to note her after career.
In 1904 she was invited, at the re-
quest of the American auxiliary, to
speak at the great Congress of the In
ternational Council of Women held In
Berlin. She spoke in German, French
and English (having studied In Europe
for three years after taking her second
degree at Oberlin). So thoroughly did
she know these languages that she was
eloquent In all three. Again she won
the unanimous appreciation Of the
convention and, in addition, became
1.-The favorite Of the European press.
heard both of these remarkable
speeches.
Popular Lecturer.
Meanwhile. she was continuously
popular lecturer in this country,
speaking in all parts of the Nation,
at chautauquas, forums and lecture
courses She addressed the students
of most women'S colleges and of many
mems colleges. She spoke to all we'll
known colleges and schools for COL
ored youth in the South. At the
: same time, she was a prolific writer
as well, her articles having been pub
lshed in many magazines and news
papers.
In 1894 women suffragists of the
District of Columbia, after six years
J of effort, succeeded in gaining con-
: sent to the appointment of two women
; to the Board of Education Mrs. Ter
Z rell was one of the two first ap-
: pointed, a position she held for II
: years, longer period than any other
4. member had enjoyed.
, She helped to organize the National
4. Association of Colored Women and
was its first president. She was also
a charter member of the National
Association for the Advancement of
Colored People.
Served Good Causes.
Thus she lived an exceedingly busy
life. For 40 years or more Mrs. Ter
rell expended her entire energies in
serving good causes. Especially did
she serve the welfare of her race and
her sex. Both have profted much by
her devoted and practical aid.
Oberlin was the first college in the
modern world to open her doors to
to women. 1t was, however, clearly
demonstrated that even Oberlin had
not interpreted women's education
very literally since, for several years
after the first graduation Of women,
in 1841, the essays of women gradu-
ateS on commencement day were read
by member Of the faculty instead of
the student herself Nevertheless,
Oberlin did lead the way and women
all the world around are grateful for
her early courage.
Oberlin opened her doors to colored
men at the same time. In Mrs. Ter
rel her race found bold friend and
a tireless defender. Her race and |
her sex appreciate the value of her |
never -pausing helpfulness In their re-
spective evolution, so nobly inaugu-
rated by Oberlin more than 100 years |
ago. + hope the long line Of dis
tinguished Oberlin graduates are as
proud Of the contribution to human |
liberty made by their college and are |
as appreciative of the service of Mary
Church Terrell to Oberlin's immortal
causes as are many. of us who have
never stepped upon her campus.