Celia Dial Saxon
| Celia Dial Saxon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
October 1, 1857 Columbia, South Carolina |
| Died |
January 29, 1935 (aged 77) Columbia, South Carolina |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Normal school of the South Carolina College |
| Occupation | Educator, Activist |
Celia Dial Saxon (October 1, 1857 – January 29, 1935) was an African-American schoolmistress, who taught in Columbia, South Carolina, for fifty-five years. She was one of the founders of the Fairwold Industrial Home for Negro Girls and the Wilkinson Orphanage of Negro Children.[1] In 1929, Blossom Street School was renamed in her honor.[2] in 1954,the Columbia Housing Authority named a 400-unit, low-income housing project after her.[3]
Biography
Saxon was born into slavery in Columbia, South Carolina.[3][1] In 1877 she enrolled in the Normal school of the South Carolina College.[4] Saxon taught in Columbia, South Carolina for fifty-five years[1] and in 1929 a school was renamed the Saxon School.[2]
Saxon was active in the Woman's club movement and specifically was concerned about the welfare of women and girls.[4] She put that concern into action by being one of the founders of the Fairwold Industrial Home for Negro Girls in Lexington County, South Carolina.[1][5]
Other clubs that Saxon belonged to included; the Palmetto State Teachers' Association[4], the Culture Club,[4] the Lend-a-Hand Club[4], the South Carolina Federation of Colored Women's Clubs[4], and the Woman's Christian Temperance Union.[4]
In 1926 Saxon was awarded an Honorary Masters of Arts degree from the State Agricultural and Mechanical College at Orangeburg.[4]
Saxon died on January 29, 1935, in Columbia, South Carolina.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Celia Dial Saxon". African Americans in the South Carolina Room. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- 1 2 "Site of Celia Dial Saxon Home". Historic Columbia Foundation. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- 1 2 "Saxon Homes". Historic Columbia Foundation. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Celia Dial Saxon, Federal Writers' Project. 1936". WPA Federal Writers' Project Papers. USC South Caroliniana Lib., Columbia, SC. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
- ↑ "The Fairwold Industrial Home for Negro Girls, Lexington County, South Carolina,Federal Writers' Project. 1936". WPA Federal Writers' Project Papers. USC South Caroliniana Lib., Columbia, SC. Retrieved 21 February 2018.