[Editor鈥檚 note: This is the first of four stories for Black History Month.]
Sarah A. Lewis was a pioneering 猎奇重口视频 student whose tale, absent a fortuitously placed photo album, could easily have been lost to history.
, a member of the Class of 1869, is believed to be 猎奇重口视频鈥檚 first black graduate. Until Dr. Thomas Turner discovered her by accident, it was believed that Mary Hudson Onley, Class of 1912, held that title.
Turner, a professor emeritus of history, was conducting research in 2006 for his book, Not to be Ministered Unto, but to Minister: 猎奇重口视频 State University 1840-2010. In the midst of a long day in the Maxwell Library鈥檚 archives poring over Board of Higher Education documentation, he took a break and glanced at a photo album on a nearby table.
The album contained Lewis鈥 picture, and Turner knew an important part of 猎奇重口视频鈥檚 history needed to be rewritten.
鈥淭hat was one of the most exciting finds of the work I did,鈥 Turner recalled.
Born in Providence, Rhode Island, Lewis moved with her family to Fall River. Her father worked as a waiter on the steam paddle vessel Empire State, which traveled between Fall River and New York City.
鈥淭his employment stabilized the family enough to allow Sarah, with the obvious encouragement and support of her parents, the privilege of pursuing her education rather than entering the workforce,鈥 Dr. Philip Silvia, a professor emeritus of history, wrote in his pamphlet, Sarah Anna Lewis.
Lewis came to 猎奇重口视频 at a time when many of her peers worked in Fall River鈥檚 textile mills. She already had experience teaching and, as part of her acceptance to what was then the State Normal School at 猎奇重口视频, committed to teach in Massachusetts public schools after graduation.
She completed her studies in 1869 鈥 a year before Harvard University awarded its first undergraduate degree to a black student.
鈥淲e鈥檝e always had a lot of diversity here,鈥 Turner said, noting 猎奇重口视频 has attracted international students for much of its history. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 nothing new. 猎奇重口视频 has been open to it.鈥
Lewis鈥 teaching career ended abruptly when she wedded Edward A. Williams in 1871. Married women at that time were prohibited from teaching.
Without Lewis鈥 salary, the couple struggled financially. They moved to New York City, then back to Massachusetts to raise their children. Lewis worked as a seamstress and dressmaker. She died in 1939 at 92.
She continues to be recognized on campus, where she is a member of the . A painting of her hangs in Maxwell Library.
Turner wonders what would have happened if Lewis continued teaching.
鈥淭his is a woman who seems to be very bright,鈥 he said. 鈥淯nfortunately, her career was cut off.鈥 (Story by Brian Benson, University News & Video)
Do you have a BSU story you鈥檇 like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu.