Booker T Washington was born on April 5, 1856. He only had a mother, his father was a white man who left soon after he was born. Booker was eager to learn at a young age. One day while doing his job in the coal mines, Booker had overheard two men talking about a wonderful school for colored people. It was called the Hampton Institute. In 1872, Booker started his 500-mile journey to the school. He had quickly befriended the principal, General Samuel Chapman Armstrong when he arrived.
After graduation, Booker taught for a while in his hometown, Malden. Soon, he received an offer to go to Tuskgee, Alabama to train black teachers. Washington accepted this offer. At first, the school was a small broken down church. But soon, many people blacks and whites donated money, land, and even pigs to the school. The students and teachers bought bricks and building materials with the money and built the buildings. Every single building in the school was made by the students. By 1888, Tuskgee offered many other classes like woodwork, sewing, cooking, printing, and farming. It also owned 540 acres of land.
Booker T Washington spoke about accepting segregation and said to just live with it. Washington was disliked by many because of his beliefs.
Booker T Washington died on November 14, 1915. Blacks and whites all across America remember him to this day.
I personally admire Mr. Washington. I think he was an amazing person. He built a wonderful school and believed in his students and his teachers. Most importantly, he had perseverance.
Thanks for visiting,
Noor