Augusta Savage: A Pillar of the Harlem Renaissance

Augusta Savage: A Pillar of the Harlem Renaissance

Augusta Savage, a trailblazing sculptor and advocate, emerged as a cornerstone of the Harlem Renaissance, using her artistic brilliance and unyielding spirit to shape the cultural landscape of African American art.

Augusta Savage

Augusta Savage was born Augusta Christine Fells on February 29, 1892, in Green Cove Springs, Florida to Cornelia and Edward Fells. She was the seventh of fourteen children. Her parents had both been born into slavery. Edward Fells worked as a house painter and was also a Methodist preacher.

Her Early Life

She began her artistic journey by modeling figures from the red clay of her hometown. His strict religious beliefs often clashed with Augusta’s artistic pursuits, as he viewed her clay sculptures as unholy images.  Consequently, he discouraged her from pursuing an art career. Despite her father’s disapproval, she persevered and gained encouragement from her high school principal who hired her to teach a clay modeling class. She relocated to West Palm Beach, Florida in 1915.

Augusta married three times at a young age with tragic results. She married her first husband, John T. Moore in 1907 at 15 years old. They had a daughter named Irene Connie Moore in 1908. John T. Moore passed away a few years later. She married her second husband James Savage in 1915. He was a carpenter. Although their marriage ended in divorce in the early 1920s, Augusta kept his surname for the rest of her life. She married her third husband, Robert Lincoln Poston in 1923. He was a protégé of Marcus Garvey. He died of pneumonia in 1924 while returning from a trip to Liberia

Artist in the Making

Her first big break came when she entered her sculptures in the West Palm Beach county fair and won $25.00 and a ribbon. In 1921, Augusta moved to New York City with just $4.60 and a letter of recommendation in hand. She enrolled at Cooper Union, where her talent quickly became evident, allowing her to graduate in three years. Her career took off as she received commissions to sculpt portrait busts of notable figures like W.E.B. Du Bois and Marcus Garvey.

The Harlem Renaissance

Augusta’s studio became a vital hub during the Harlem Renaissance, nurturing young artists, particularly those from marginalized communities. She taught at the Harlem Community Art Center and her own Savage Studio of Arts and Crafts, where she inspired and mentored students, helping to shape the next generation of artists. She was responsible for the careers of many artists who later gained national recognition.

Savage also fought for equal rights for African Americans in the arts. She was a vocal advocate for equal opportunities for African American artists. She fought against racial discrimination in the art world and worked to ensure that black artists received the recognition and support they deserved.

Famous Artwork

Gamin by Augusta Savage

The artist had two famous works that captured the essence of African American life and culture. “Gamin” earned her a scholarship to study art in Paris. While there, she exhibited her art twice at the famous Paris Salon. Unfortunately, she was denied a summer art program sponsored by the French government because she was African American.

the harp

“The Harp,” originally titled “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” was created for the 1939 New York World’s Fair. It reinterprets the musical instrument to feature twelve singing African American youth as its strings, with the harp’s sounding board transformed into an arm and a hand, believed to be the hand of God. In front, a kneeling young man offers music in his hands. The sculpture was destroyed at the end of the fair.

Augusta faced numerous challenges, including racial discrimination. Despite these obstacles, she remained dedicated to her art and teaching, leaving a lasting legacy. In her later years, she taught art to children in her home, wrote children’s books and worked in a cancer research facility.  She passed away in New York City on March 27, 1962. To learn more about Augusta Savage, click here.

Mary Tape: Champion of Civil Rights and Educational Justice

Mary Tape: Champion of Civil Rights and Educational Justice

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Mary Tape’s courage and determination left a lasting legacy in the civil rights movement. Her case, Tape v. Hurley, and her activism remain significant milestones in the history of civil rights in the United States. Her efforts helped to lay the groundwork for future generations to continue the fight for equality and justice in education.

Brave Orphan

Mary Tape was born in Qing China (near Shanghai) in 1857. She was an orphan and immigrated by herself to the United States at the age of eleven. She arrived in San Francisco in 1868 and was aided by the Ladies’ Protection and Relief Society. The Society provided a home in San Francisco for struggling orphans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was here that Mary learned English and American customs.

In the early 1870s, Mary married Jeu Dip, who later adopted the name Joseph Tape. Together, they raised four children. Mary and Joseph Tape embraced American culture, which helped them integrate into society and achieve a middle-class lifestyle in San Francisco.

Determined Activist

Mary Tape became a notable figure in the fight for desegregation in public schools. In 1884, she attempted to enroll her oldest daughter Mamie in a white public school, but the school denied admission due to Mamie’s Chinese heritage. Mary and Joseph sued the San Francisco Board of Education, leading to the landmark case Tape v. Hurley in 1885. The California Supreme Court ruled in their favor, stating that public schools could not exclude children based on their Chinese ancestry. This case was a significant step towards desegregation in American public schools.

The Tape Family

The Tape v. Hurley case had a profound impact on the fight for civil rights and the desegregation of public schools in the United States. This case brought national attention to the issue of racial discrimination in education. It set a legal precedent that public schools could not exclude children based on their race or ancestry. Also, it highlighted the struggles of Chinese immigrants and other minority groups, encouraging further advocacy for equal rights.

Mary Tape the Artist

This ruling challenged the discriminatory practices of the time and paved the way for future civil rights advancements including Brown v. Board of Ed. In response to the ruling, the California legislature passed a law allowing separate schools for children of Chinese descent, which was a setback. However, the Tape family continued to fight for equal education, and their efforts inspired others to challenge segregation laws.

Aside from her activism, Mary Tape gained recognition for her skills as a landscape painter and amateur photographer. She continued advocating for her children’s education and fought against racial prejudice throughout her life. Mary Tape died in 1934 in Berkeley, California. To learn more about Mary Tape, click here.

Faith Spotted Eagle: Guardian of the Sacred

Faith Spotted Eagle: Guardian of the Sacred

Welcome to Women’s History Wednesdays!

A member of the Yankton Sioux Nation, Faith Spotted Eagle has dedicated her life to protecting her people’s land and rights, becoming a prominent activist against the Keystone XL and Dakota Access Pipelines.

Faith Spotted Eagle was born in 1948 at Lake Andes, South Dakota to Albert Spotted Eagle and Lucy Spotted Eagle. Her parents played a significant role in her upbringing and cultural education. They deeply influenced her commitment to Native American rights and environmental activism. Lake Andes played a significant role in shaping her life and activism. Her birthplace, the village of White Swan, lies beneath Lake Francis Case, a reservoir created by the Fort Randall dam. The flooding caused by the dam forced the Native Americans who lived along the Missouri River to move to Lake Andes.

Education

Faith attended American University in Washington, D.C., and Black Hills State College in South Dakota. She earned a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology and Counseling from the University of South Dakota. Throughout her career, she has worked as a PTSD counselor for veterans, a school counselor and principal, and a Dakota language teacher at Sinte Gleska College.

Faith Spotted Eagle

Activism

A believer in Native American rights and environmental causes, Faith has dedicated her life to preserving Dakota cultural beliefs and advocating for environmental and social justice. She leads efforts to block the Keystone XL and Dakota Access Pipelines, gaining national recognition for her activism. The pipeline would have extended from Alberta, Canada through Illinois and Texas and ended in Oklahoma. It presented environmental issues to the Native Americans who lived along the route of the pipeline. Eventually, TC Corporation abandoned the pipeline project in 2021.

Philanthropist

Spotted Eagle co-founded the Brave Heart Society in 1994, an organization focused on teaching girls about traditional culture. She also manages the Brave Heart Lodge in Lake Andes. In 2016, she made history by becoming the first Native American to receive an electoral vote for President of the United States.  She continues to advocate for the preservation of Dakota cultural beliefs and practices. To learn more about Faith Spotted Eagle, click here.

Laura Cornelius Kellogg: A Visionary Leader for Native American Sovereignty

Laura Cornelius Kellogg: A Visionary Leader for Native American Sovereignty

Welcome to Women’s History Wednesdays!

Laura Cornelius Kellogg, born on September 10, 1880, on the Oneida Indian Reservation in Wisconsin to Adam Poe and Cecilia Bread Cornelius. She emerged as a prominent Native American leader, author, and activist. She descended from a lineage of distinguished Oneida leaders, including her grandfather, Chief Daniel Bread.

Kellogg did not attend an indian boarding school which was the fate of many Native American children. She attended Grafton Hall, an Episcopal finishing school and graduated with honors. She pursued higher education at several prestigious institutions, including Barnard College, Cornell University, and Stanford University, although she did not earn a degree. Fluent in Oneida, Mohawk, and English, she became a founding member of the Society of American Indians in 1911.

Throughout her life, Kellogg tirelessly advocated for Native American rights and sovereignty. She developed the “Lolomi Plan,” which promoted indigenous self-sufficiency and cooperative labor as an alternative to the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ control. Her eloquence and determination made her a powerful voice for the Oneida and Haudenosaunee people in national and international forums.

six nations Laura Kellogg

Kellogg’s activism extended to land claims, as she and her husband, Orrin J. Kellogg, pursued legal actions on behalf of the Six Nations people in New York during the 1920s and 1930s. Despite facing numerous challenges, she remained dedicated to her cause until her death in 1947.

 Throughout her life, Laura Cornelius Kellogg tirelessly pursued land claims and fought for the rights of her people, leaving a lasting legacy as a visionary leader and advocate for Native American sovereignty. For more information about Laura Cornelius Kellogg, visit Laura Cornelius Kellogg – Wikipedia.

Sybil Ludington: The Girl Who Outrode Paul Revere

Sybil Ludington: The Girl Who Outrode Paul Revere

In American Revolutionary history, the name Sybil Ludington stands out as a beacon of youthful courage and patriotism. The legendary ride of Paul Revere often overshadows her heroic journey. Yet, her fortitude showed the indomitable spirit and bravery that fueled the fight for American independence. Her story, though less known, reminds us of the vital roles played by young patriots and women in shaping the nation’s destiny.

Sybil Ludington was born on April 5, 1761, in Fredericksburg, New York (now Ludingtonville). As the eldest of 12 children, she had significant responsibilities in helping her family. Her father, Colonel Henry Ludington, led the local militia, which influenced Sybil’s early exposure to the revolutionary cause.

The Famous Ride

On a stormy night of April 26, 1777, Sybil’s father received word that British troops burned a key supply depot for the Continental Army in Danbury, Connecticut. With most of the militia scattered, Colonel Ludington needed someone to alert the troops. 16-year-old Sybil volunteered and embarked on a daring midnight ride through the rugged terrain of New York. She covered nearly 40 miles, facing harsh weather and potential dangers, to rally the troops. Her efforts helped gather approximately 400 soldiers to defend against the British. 

Post-Revolutionary War

After the war, Sybil married Edmond Ogden in 1784. The couple had one son, Henry. They lived in various locations, including Catskill and Unadilla, New York. Sybil led a relatively quiet life after the war compared to her daring ride. She remained a respected figure in her community. Sybil Ludington Ogden died on February 26, 1839, in Unadilla, New York. She was buried in the Patterson Presbyterian Cemetery in Patterson, New York. We celebrate her for her contributions to the revolutionary cause. We remember her as a courageous young woman who played a vital role in American history.

portrait Sybil Ludington

Legacy and Recognition

Sybil Ludington’s story gained prominence during World War II as a symbol of patriotism and bravery. In 1975, she was honored with a United States Bicentennial postage stamp. Some modern historians questioned the historical accuracy of her ride due to limited contemporary evidence. However, her legacy as a young heroine of the American Revolution endures. To learn more about Sybil Ludington, visit https://www.battlefields.org/learn/biographies/sybil-ludington.