Member-only story

Freedom Teacher: The Life of Septima Clark, the Courageous Educator Who Inspired a Movement

Felix Carter

·19.3k Followers· Follow

Published in Freedom S Teacher: The Life Of Septima Clark

4 min read · 1 week before

845 View Claps

52 Respond

Save

Listen

Septima Clark, A Smiling Woman With Short Hair And Glasses, Sits At A Desk With A Group Of Students. Freedom S Teacher: The Life Of Septima Clark

Freedom's Teacher: The Life of Septima Clark

by Katherine Mellen Charron

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2402 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	480 pages

Septima Poinsette Clark was an extraordinary woman who dedicated her life to fighting for freedom and equality through education. As a pioneering educator and civil rights activist, she played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement, empowering countless individuals and communities across the American South and beyond.

Early Life and Education

Septima Clark was born on May 3, 1898, in Charleston, South Carolina. Her parents, Peter and Eunice Poinsette, were both descendants of enslaved Africans who had fought for their freedom during the Civil War. Despite the challenges faced by African Americans in the Jim Crow South, Clark's parents instilled in her a strong sense of pride and determination.

Clark attended public schools in Charleston, where she excelled academically. She went on to earn a degree in education from South Carolina State College in 1921. After graduation, she worked as a teacher in rural South Carolina for several years.

The Highlander Folk School

In 1939, Clark joined the staff of the Highlander Folk School in Monteagle, Tennessee. The Highlander Folk School was a progressive educational center that provided leadership training and organizing skills to activists working for social justice.

At Highlander, Clark developed her philosophy of education as a tool for empowerment. She believed that education should not only teach people basic literacy skills but also equip them with the knowledge and skills they needed to challenge injustice and create a more just society.

Civil Rights Activism

Clark's work at Highlander brought her into contact with many of the leading figures of the Civil Rights Movement, including Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. She played a key role in organizing voter registration drives, citizenship schools, and other grassroots initiatives.

In 1957, Clark helped to found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC),a major organization of the Civil Rights Movement. She served as the SCLC's director of education, overseeing the development and implementation of educational programs throughout the South.

Legacy

Septima Clark's contributions to the Civil Rights Movement were immeasurable. She empowered countless individuals and communities, providing them with the tools and knowledge they needed to fight for their rights.

Clark died in 1987 at the age of 89. She was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1996. Her legacy continues to inspire activists and educators around the world.

Freedom Teacher is a captivating biography that captures the essence of Septima Clark's extraordinary life and work. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the Civil Rights Movement, the power of education, and the indomitable spirit of one woman who made a profound difference in the world.

Freedom's Teacher: The Life of Septima Clark

by Katherine Mellen Charron

4.8 out of 5