MARY JANE PATTERSONZachary Holmes and Jamaya Smith

Intro Education

Dr. Hightower-Davis

CHILDHOOD

Mary Jane Patterson was born in 1840 in Raleigh, North Carolina.

She celebrates her birthday as September 12, 1840

Mary Jane Patterson was the daughter of Henry Irving Patterson and Emmeline Eliza (Taylor) Patterson.

Mary Patterson was probably the oldest of at least seven siblings.

EDUCATION

In 1857 Mary Patterson entered a one-year preparatory course at Oberlin college.

After her preparatory year Patterson entered the four-year gentleman’s course in classics that led to a traditional Bachelor of Arts degree.

Patterson’s studies included Latin, Greek, and Mathematics.

Patterson also graduated with a B.A. degree and highest honors in 1862.

Patterson is the first black American female to

earn a bachelor’s degree.

In 1869 Patterson moved to Washington D.C., to

teach at the newly-established one-year

Preparatory High School for Colored Youth,

which later became the prestigious Dunbar High

School.

She served as the school's first Black principal,

from 1871 to 1872

Patterson's speech was entitled "The Hero of

Italy”.

ACHIEVEMENTS

she became an assistant to Fanny

Jackson in the Female department

of the Institute for colored youth in

Philadelphia.

leading Black educator

influenced generations of Black

students.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Patterson moved to Washington in 1869

to accept a teaching position at the

Preparatory High School for Colored

Youth (currently Dunbar High School).

She, along with other woman founded

the Colored Women's League of

Washington, D.C., in 1894.

CONTRIBUTION TO EDUCATION

Patterson devoted time and money to other black institutions in Washington D.C.

Patterson’s commitment to thoroughness as well as her personality helped her established the strong intellect of the school.

Patterson's most striking characteristics as a teacher was that she was a quick, alert, vivacious worker.

PICTURES

died on September 24, 1894, in Washington.

REFERENCES

http://www.oberlin.edu/external/EOG/OYTT-images/MJPatterson.html

http://www.blackpast.org/?q=aah/patterson-mary-jane-1840-1894