Fredericka Douglass Sprague Perry
Fredericka Douglass Sprague Perry | |
---|---|
Philanthropist | |
Spouse | John Edward Perry |
Relatives | Douglass family |
Fredericka Douglass Sprague Perry (August 9, 1872 – October 23, 1943) was an American philanthropist and activist. Perry founded the Colored Big Sister Home for Girls in 1934 in Kansas City, Missouri. With her husband, John E. Perry, she worked to provide better health care to African-American children.[1]
Early life and education
Born Fredericka Douglass Sprague in Rochester, New York, on August 9, 1872.[2][3] She was the daughter of Rosetta Douglass and granddaughter of Frederick Douglass.[4] She was the fifth oldest child of the seven children of Rosetta Douglass Sprague and Nathan Sprague.[5] She attended public school in Washington, DC, and then the Mechanics Institute in Rochester, New York.[3]
Career
In 1906, she moved to
Perry became involved in the
In 1934, with the help of Kansas City Federation of Colored Women's Club, she founded the Colored Big Sister Home for Girls.[7][6] Fredericka also served as the chairperson of the National Association of Colored Girls. She composed the words of the state song "Show Me"; and the motto "Learning As We Climb" for the Missouri State Association of Colored Girls.[5]
Perry also help found the Civic Protective Association in Kansas City, served as a trustee of the
Personal life
In 1912 she married Dr. John Edward Perry, with whom she had one son.[3] Perry died on October 23, 1943, at Wheatley-Provident Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri.[2]
Legacy
On July 25, 2023, Rochester Institute of Technology announced it was renaming Nathaniel Rochester Hall to honor Fredericka Douglass Sprague Perry. [8]
References
- ISBN 978-1576072066.
- ^ a b c "Granddaughter Of Frederick Douglass Dies In Missouri". The Pittsburgh Courier. November 6, 1943.
- ^ S2CID 143984557.
- ^ Vaughn, Valeria. "Descendants of Frederick Douglass". US GenWeb Archives. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
- ^ S2CID 143984557.
- ^ a b Peebles-Wilkins, Wilma. "Historical Perspectives on Social Welfare in the Black Community (1886-1939)". Boston University. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
- ^ "Fredericka Douglass Sprague Perry (1872-1943): Child Welfare Pioneer". Social Welfare History Project. 21 January 2011. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
- ^ https://twitter.com/RITtigers/status/1683857951134453760