Sophie B. Wright

Sophie Bell Wright (1866 – June 10, 1912) was an American educator from New Orleans, Louisiana.

Sophie B. Wright, 1909

Early years

Wright was born to a formerly well-to-do family that had become impoverished as a result of the American Civil War. Wright's father, Malcolm H. Wright, was born in Dumfries in southwest Scotland. As a small child, Wright survived a fall with spinal and pelvic injuries that resulted in lifelong physical disabilities.

Career

In her teens, she began teaching. She started several free schools and the city's "Home for Incurables", a care facility for disabled and gravely ill patients.

Wright was also active in the prison reform movement, projects to build public playgrounds, and the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. She was president of the New Orleans Woman's Club, and published a collection of advice essays, Heart to Heart Talks (1908).

She died from heart disease at her home in New Orleans on June 10, 1912, and was buried in Metairie Cemetery.[1] New Orleans has a school and a street named after her, as well as a statue of her on Magazine Street.

This statue of Wright by Enrique Alférez was erected in 1988.

References
  1. "Sophie Wright Dead of a Broken Heart". The Sun. New Orleans. June 10, 1912. p. 9. Retrieved June 20, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
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