In the 1890s, Mary Church Terrell’s motto “Lifting as we climb" was the phrase that stuck with the National Association of Colored Women (NACW), a group dedicated to uplifting Black women and their families. Terrell knew it wasn’t just about climbing up the ladder of success, but also bringing all of our people with us.
Dr. Terrell’s activist endeavors were sparked after the lynching of her childhood friend. That spark soon turned into an inferno, as she knew that Black women faced both race and gender barriers.
The professor was an active member of the National Association of Women’s Suffrage Act (NAWSA), advocating for women’s suffrage. She even picketed the White House. However, her personal life fueled her efforts even more.
Three of Terrell’s four children died in infancy, their deaths due to the lack of adequate medical treatment. Inspired by her personal experience as a mother, in 1892 she launched the Colored Women’s League, providing night classes and childcare for working mothers.
Terrell's personal experiences with her close friends and family, alongside her connection with other women who endured suffrage, fueled her activism. What personal experiences can fuel you to strive further towards Black liberation?