“The cause of freedom is not the cause of a or a sect or a party or a class – it is the cause of humankind, the very birthright of humanity.” – Anna Julia Cooper.
There are 13 quotations inside the US passport. Only one is from a woman – a black woman – born in Raleigh, NC.
Anna Julia Cooper’s life (1858-1964) started in slavery, but she made it to the Sorbonne! Born into bondage in Raleigh, NC, Anna Julia was the daughter of an enslaved woman, Hannah Stanley, and her owner, George Washington Haywood. Two years after the Civil War ended, she enrolled at St. Augustine’s Normal School and Collegiate Institute, a coeducational facility built for former slaves, for the equivalent of a high school education. In 1877, Anna Julia married George A.G. Cooper, a teacher of theology at St. Augustine’s. He died two years later, and Anna Julia decided to pursue a college degree.
She attended Oberlin College in Ohio on tuition scholarship, earning a BA in 1884 and a Master’s in mathematics in 1887. She published “A Voice from the South by a Black Woman of the South,” in 1892. Yes, she used the term “black” woman in 1892. “Not the boys less, but the girls more,” is a phrase she would use time and time again as she addressed critical issues in her conversations, speeches, and writings. In 1924, she returned to school when she enrolled at the University of Paris, France. In 1925, at the age of 67, Anna Julia Cooper became the 4th African American woman to obtain a Doctorate of Philosophy. 
Anna Julia Cooper worked tirelessly in education until the age of 84. She died in 1964 at the age of 105 in Washington, DC.
Branch programs are intended to inspire, challenge and motivate us.
This story is a tiny tidbit of what you missed if you missed the March 19, 2022 meeting. We’re in a time where threats have never been greater to women’s reproductive rights, voter access and a strong system of public education. AAUW, while non-partisan, vigorously supports and promotes gender fairness, equity and diversity in all of these public policy concerns. When you join an organization like AAUW, your voice – even a weary one – is amplified. You not only support lobbying efforts at higher levels, you also bring with you the ability to change the organization itself for the better. These are all reasons to renew your AAUW membership in May!
Cindy Parks, President
Time is a resource we spend but cannot replenish. A small team of fellow branch members dedicate several hours per month to provide “ah-ha” speaker moments for those of us in the audience. If you attended any of this year’s programs, I hope you heard something new or learned something surprising that encouraged and motivated you to go out into the world and perhaps do something no one else has done; or, at least consider a situation with a fresh perspective. The theme for the past year’s AAUW programs was Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:
- September – The State of NC Public Schools (included an update on the Leandro case)
- October – Domestic Violence Awareness panel (included Milbre Burch’s, “Sometimes I Sing”)
- February – AAUW Fellows Program (heard from 3 local recipients about their research and the relationship with diversity, equity and inclusion). This is when we pay it forward and show our support the next generation of women scholars!
- March – The Power of Inclusive History at our Places of Memory (a conversation with 2 women scholars and their careers in the field of public history in NC).
Lori Bunton, Michele Hoyman, Laura Thomas and Susan Williams are already working on speaker invitations for next fall. Dr. Donna Wilson volunteers time every year to ensure an informative and inspirational February program. If you have ideas or can volunteer some time to help with programs, please let us know. Email: aauw.odc.programs@gmail.com.
Participation in active life-long learning is so important. There is an in-person program opportunity on May 21st at Historic Stagville. Please sign up now (free) on Eventbrite (includes directions to the site). Bring a friend. I look forward to seeing you there!
Yours in AAUW sisterhood,
Cindy Parks – President