Anna Julia Cooper, 1858-1964

Anna Julia Cooper was born into slavery in Raleigh in 1858.  She attended school at St. Augustine’s College just three years after the Civil War ended, and became the fourth African American woman in the country to receive her doctoral degree (in 1925, from the Sorbonne).  She later worked as a teacher and educational reformer in North Carolina and elsewhere, fighting for civil rights, gender equality, and educational opportunities for African American students.   She died in 1964 at 105 years old. The UNC Library has several items written by and about Anna Julia Cooper. Click here to see these resources.

The United States Postal Service recently released their 32rd annual Black Heritage stamp, which features a portrait in profile of Anna Julia Cooper.  You can purchase the stamp here.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *