Lucy Craft Laney, A Great Black Educator
There is a shortage of teachers across the country. The shortage is great among African Americans. It is my opinion that we need to highlight those teachers who have made a difference, one of those teachers is Lucy Craft Laney. She made history and we need to remember her life story.
Lucy Craft Laney was born in Macon, Georgia in 1854. She was the seventh of ten children. Her parents, both former slaves, were David and Louisa Laney. David Laney was a skilled carpenter. He bought his own freedom. Later he moved to Macon in 1836 and became a Minister of the Presbyterian Church. In Macon, he met his future wife, who was a slave of the Campbell family. He bought her freedom and they got married. The Laney children received their schooling form one of the Campbell daughters.
Lucy went to a public school in Macon. She was able to attend Atlanta University. She graduated in 1873. For ten years after her graduation, Lucy taught in the public schools for Black students. She spoke to many people about the need to teach Blacks. Finally, in 1883, the Presbyterian Church helped her to open a school. The first classes were held in the basement of the church.
By 1931, the school had 27 teachers, 413 elementary students and 300 high school students. One of the teachers in the school was Mary McLeod Bethune. Mary Bethune went on to start her own school. Lucy Laney believed that teachers should always continue to learn. She practiced what she preached and continued her own education. Lucy started the first Kindergarten in Augusta, Georgia. In 1892, she started a school for nurses.
Lucy Craft Laney died on October 23, 1933. Over 5,000 people came to her funeral. She was honored for doing so much for the city of Augusta. A picture of Lucy Laney was placed in the State House of Atlanta, Georgia. The story of Lucy Craft Laney is an inspiration to all students and teachers. She did so much to educate African Americans.
A study of the early Black educators in our history will show that they started schools and worked hard to make sure that their students received the best education. Despite the difficulties they faced, these educators were determined to make a difference in their community. Lucy Craft Laney was truly a great Black educator.